Degenerative joint disease is characterised by a group of mechanical abnormalities involving degradation of joints, including the cartilage which is a slippery tissue between the ends of bones in joints, and subchondral bone which provides support for the cartilage at the articular surface. Symptoms may include joint or muscle pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes […]
Summary The knee joint is the largest and one of the strongest and most important joints in the human body. It is a synovial hinge joint which typically means that it allows motion in one plane, flexion and extension, however, the knee joint is slightly unusual in that it allows a small amount of rotation. […]
Overview Carpus is derived from the Greek word karpos, which means “wrist.” A band of fibrous tissue surrounds the wrist and supports the joint. There is a tight space between this fibrous band and the wrist bone called the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is the passageway in the wrist that connects the forearm to […]
Anatomy and Development of the Hip The hip joint is the connection between the head of the femur and the part of the pelvic bone known as the acetabulum. It is a ball and socket joint, allowing for a large range of motion in multiple planes. The joint is protected by articular cartilage on both […]
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 […]
