The human ear is a sense organ which enables us to hear and to balance. The process by which we hear is an entirely mechanical one, as opposed to involving chemical reactions like taste, sight and smell. Anatomy of the Ear The human ear is made up of three main parts – the outer ear, […]
The brain and the rest of the nervous system make up the control centre for the human body. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. All actions, both voluntary and involuntary, occur due to electrical and chemical signals being passed between the brain and the nervous system, the […]
Our feet and ankle joints have to bear the weight of our entire body with every step that we take, and when we are aiming for 10,000 steps per day, that is a lot of movement and stress. As a result, our feet are susceptible to many different injuries and foot conditions which are caused […]
Anatomy of the Spinal Cord To discuss the spinal nerves and how they work we first have to understand the anatomy of the spinal cord and column. The spinal column supports the head and protects the spinal cord, which is attached to the brain and extends down the centre of the back. It is approximately […]
Overview The word hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is a natural bodily reaction and causes the affected area to become swollen and tender. There are many reasons why the liver may become inflamed such as viral infection, alcohol, drugs and other toxins, or less commonly by a breakdown in a person’s immune […]
The term Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can be broken down into gastro, which means of or relating to the stomach, oesophageal meaning relating to the oesophagus, and reflux which means to flow back. It is a common condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the oesophagus, which is the pipe attaching […]
The Sciatic Nerve The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the human body. Just like the spinal cord, it is approximately the width of a human finger. The sciatic nerve is made up of a combination of spinal nerves, namely L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3, and forms on the right and […]
Overview The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate mammals. It is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. In the average healthy adult it weighs around two hundred grams and it is about the size of a fist. The spleen has several main functions. It filters the blood and removes […]
The Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, attached to the hypothalamus, which controls its function and is approximately the size of a pea. Known as the master gland, it produces hormones that control other glands, and has a role in many body functions. The pituitary gland is divided […]
We need oxygen to keep our bodies functioning on a cellular level, and the respiratory system is the part of the body that enables this to happen. The respiratory system is a group of organs and tissues that enable us to breathe. The main parts of this system are the lungs, the airways, and the […]
