The inner ear has several structures that are responsible for the sense of hearing and balance. It has a passage known as the labyrinth which can be divided into the a bony part which lies in the temporal bone of the skull and a membranous part that runs within the bony labyrinth. These two parts of the labyrinth are >> Read More ...
The outer ear extends from clearly visible pinna (auricle) to the ear canal (external auditory canal) and ends at the ear drum (tympanic membrane). The outer ear focuses sound waves onto the eardrum which then vibrates. After transmission of these vibrations through the middle ear and stimulation of the hearing apparatus >> Read More ...
Normal bowel movements occur once or twice in day, the stool is passed out with ease and is well formed, firm and brown in color. It is still normal to pass out bowel movements less frequently or more often provided that there is no straining, pain, very hard and dry or very loose and watery stool. Diarrhea is defined as >> Read More ...
What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the breast tissue and rapidly invades the surrounding tissue. It is the most common form of malignancy in women in Western countries, with the exception of skin cancers. Apart from other risk factors, identification of breast cancer genes BRCA 1 >> Read More ...
The liver is an important organ that is responsible for several different functions, particularly the processing of nutrients, wastes and other substances. Hepatitis is the term for inflammation of the liver and may be due to infectious or non-infectious causes. The five types of hepatitis viruses are common infectious >> Read More ...
Behind the ear drum lies a hollow air-filled cavity known as the middle ear. It is shaped somewhat like a box and has six walls. Within it lies the auditory ossicles (middle ear bones) which transmits vibrations from the ear drum caused by sound to the hearing apparatus in the inner ear. A hollow cavity connects the middle >> Read More ...
The kidneys are important organs that have several functions in the body. The primary function is the filtration of waste products from the blood, but in the process, the kidneys also regulate the water and electrolyte levels in the body. The latter therefore impacts on blood volume and blood pressure. It can influence >> Read More ...
A myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in one of the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries). This may lead to death or permanent damage to the heart muscles (myocardium). A heart attack is a very common medical emergency. Recognition of the symptoms early, prompt emergency >> Read More ...
The organs of urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. Collectively, these organs produce urine, store it and pass it out of the body. The process, however, has far reaching consequences in the body and an integral role in maintaining homeostasis. Since the kidney controls the fluid volume >> Read More ...
The urinary system is responsible for the production, storage and expulsion of urine from the body. Urine is a combination of waste products, excess fluid and electrolytes, as well as toxins and other metabolites. The kidneys therefore serve to filter the blood of these substances and maintain homeostasis. In the process, >> Read More ...
