Lumbosacral Plexus Illustration
Posted in Anatomical Illustration
The anterior divisions of the lumbar nerves, sacral nerves, and coccygeal nerve form the lumbosacral plexus, the first lumbar nerve being frequently joined by a branch from the twelfth thoracic. For descriptive purposes this plexus is usually divided into three parts: 1) lumbar plexus; 2) sacral plexus; 3) pudendal plexus. The plexus is formed lateral to the intervertebral foramina and pass through psoas major. Its smaller motor branches are distributed directly to psoas major, while the larger branches leave the muscle at various sites to run obliquely downward through the pelvic area to leave the pelvis under the inguinal ligament, with the exception of the obturator nerve which exits the pelvis through the obturator foramen.
Nerve Pathway Illustration
Posted in Anatomical Illustration
TENS System, a portable stimulator that generates a current that flows through leads to electrodes placed in specific locations on the patient's skin. The low voltage current causes an electrical reaction in sensory and motor nerve fibers, overriding pain message transmission. The frequency and intensity of the stimulus are carefully controlled. TENS can also stimulate endorphin production. The electrotherapy pulse travels on the faster nerve fiber to block pain stimuli. Elecro-chemical pain messages are transmitted by the peripheral nervous system to the brain. Controlling or overriding these nociceptive (pain) impulses can bring about significant pain relief to patients (Empi).
Revelation Implant Illustration
Posted in Anatomical Illustration
The Revelation Hip System features a revolutionary hip (femoral stem) implant born from a multidisciplinary approach. This implant is designed specifically for active patients like you who suffer from pain due to arthritis or joint damage. In most cases, it allows patients to bear full weight immediately after surgery and facilitates fast recovery as well as regeneration of the femur bone (DJO Surgical).
Clinical Perspectives Editorial Cover
Posted in Editorial Illustration
The DNA in an organism's genome can be analyzed to diagnose vulnerabilities to inherited diseases, and can also be used to determine a child's paternity (genetic father) or a person's ancestry. Normally, every person carries two variations of every gene, one inherited from their mother, the other inherited from their father. The human genome is believed to contain around 20,000 - 25,000 genes. In addition to studying chromosomes to the level of individual genes, genetic testing in a broader sense includes biochemical tests for the possible presence of genetic diseases, or mutant forms of genes associated with increased risk of developing genetic disorders.
CELL Editorial Cover
Posted in Editorial Illustration
Genetic circuits are characterized by particular architectural characteristics, e.g. they may involve an activator or a repressor of a repressor, and it is unclear how architectural nuances impact the cellular processes they regulate. In this issue, Cagatay et al. (pp. 512-522) investigate the importance of the architecture of a bacterial differentiation circuit by constructing a synthetic circuit with an alternative architecture. Comparative analysis revealed that the native circuit generates more molecular noise, which in turn generates larger variability in the duration of the differentiated state. This variability appears to be an advantage in coping with variable environmental conditions.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Illustration
Posted in Editorial Illustration
The arrangement of two nucleotides binding together across the double helix is called a base pair. As hydrogen bonds are not covalent, they can be broken and rejoined relatively easily. The two strands of DNA in a double helix can therefore be pulled apart like a zipper, either by a mechanical force or high temperature.As a result of this complementarity, all the information in the double-stranded sequence of a DNA helix is duplicated on each strand, which is vital in DNA replication. Indeed, this reversible and specific interaction between complementary base pairs is critical for all the functions of DNA in living organisms.
Pituitary Gland and Hormones Poster
Posted in Poster Illustration
The pituitary gland consists of two components: the anterior pituitary (or adenohypophysis) and the posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis), and is functionally linked to the hypothalamus by the pituitary stalk (also named the "infundibular stem", or simply the "infundibulum")[1]. It is from the hypothalamus that hypothalamic tropic factors are released to descend down the pituitary stalk to the pituitary gland where they stimulate the release of pituitary hormones. While the pituitary gland is known as the 'master' endocrine gland, both of the lobes are under the control of the hypothalamus; the anterior pituitary receives its signals from the parvocellular neurons and the posterior pituitary receives its signals from magnocellular neurons.
Oocyte Fertilization Illustration
Posted in Editorial Illustration
A recent discovery links hyperactivation to a sudden influx of calcium ion into the tails. The whip-like tail (flagellum) of the sperm is studded with ion channels formed by proteins called CatSper. These channels are selective, allowing only calcium ion to pass. The opening of CatSper channels is responsible for the influx of calcium. The sudden rise in calcium levels causes the flagellum to form deeper bends, propelling the sperm more forcefully through the viscous environment. Sperm hyperactivity is necessary for breaking through two physical barriers that protect the egg from fertilization.
Cardiovascular Illustration
Posted in Editorial Illustration
The main components of the human cardiovascular system are the heart, the veins, and the blood vessels. It includes: the pulmonary circulation, a "loop" through the lungs where blood is oxygenated; and the systemic circulation, a "loop" through the rest of the body to provide oxygenated blood. An average adult contains five to six quarts (roughly 4.7 to 5.7 liters) of blood, which consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Also, the digestive system works with the circulatory system to provide the nutrients the system needs to keep the heart pumping.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Poster
Posted in Poster Illustration
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic rheumatic disease meaning it affects the entire body and is one of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Approximately 90% of AS patients express the HLA-B27 genotype, meaning that there is a strong genetic association. However, only 5% of individuals with the HLA-B27 genotype contract the disease. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α) and IL-1 are also implicated in ankylosing spondylitis. Autoantibodies specific for AS have not been identified. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies ANCA are associated with AS but don't correlate with disease severity.
