(4)Anatomy and Physiology pt.4

• Plural forms of medical terms may vary e.g: Cortex=cortices. Corpus=corpora.
• The adjectival form of a term can appear different than the noun form e.g.: Brachium (n.): arm vs. brachii (adj.): of the arm.
• An adjective often follows the noun it modifies e.g.: Biceps(n.) brachii (adj.)
• The Importance of Precision: Be precise in the use and spelling of terms as many terms are spelled similarly but have very different meanings. Healthcare professionals demand precision to maintain patient safety.
• Unity of form and function: Anatomy and physiology complement each other and cannot be divorced from one another. They cannot be separated from each other.
• Cell theory: All structures and functions result from the activity of cells.
• Evolution: The human body is a product of evolution.
• Hierarchy of complexity: Human structure can be viewed as a series of levels of complexity.
• Homeostasis: The purpose of most normal physiology is to maintain stable conditions within the body.
• Gradients and flow: Matter and energy tend to flow down gradients.
• Radiography: Also known as X-rays, was discovered by William Roentgen in 1885. It penetrates tissues to darken photographic film beneath the body. Dense tissue appears white. And it is over half of all medical imaging.
• Radiopaque substances are injected or swallowed and they fill hollow structures such as blood vessels and the intestinal tract.
• Computed tomography (CT scan) was formerly called CAT scan and it is low-intensity X-rays and computer analysis that creates Slice-type images and increased sharpness of the image.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan assesses the metabolic state of tissue, distinguishes tissues most active at a given moment, and injects radioactively labeled glucose to work. Positrons and electrons collide, and gamma rays are given off, detected by the sensor, and analyzed by the computer. The image color shows tissues using the most glucose at that moment, and damaged tissues appear dark.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a higher resolution than CT scans (Superior quality to CT scan) and is more sensitive to/best for soft tissue. It works by the alignment and realignment of hydrogen atoms with magnetic fields and radio waves. And varying levels of energy are given off by the computer to produce an image.
• Sonography is the second oldest and second most widely used medical imaging. It works using High-frequency sound waves that echo back from internal organs. It avoids harmful X-rays, is used by obstetrics (a branch of medicine that is concerned with childbirth), and images are not very sharp.
• Medical Imaging consists of; Radiography (X-rays), Radiopaque substances, Computed tomography(CT scan), Positron emission tomography(PET) scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Sonography.