The parathyroid hormone (PTH) is secreted by the parathyroid gland, four small glands located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. The hormone is regulated by the calcium and phosphate levels in the blood and acts primarily on the bone and kidneys to increase circulating levels of calcium. Over- or underactivity >> Read More ...
What is the parathyroid gland? The parathyroid glands are four small glands located on the thyroid gland which synthesize and secrete the parathyroid hormone (PTH). It is an endocrine gland that regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood and bone. Most people have four separate parathyroid glands although >> Read More ...
Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as sugar diabetes, is a growing problem globally associated with with a ‘modern lifestyle’, a term used to describe lack of exercise, diet high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates and prolonged levels of stress. Diabetes mellitus is essentially a disorder with >> Read More ...
The heart is surrounded by a sac known as the pericardium, which is made up of two layers – the fibrous and serous pericardium. The inner lying serous pericardium is in turn composed of two linings – the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium. The visceral layer of the serous pericardium is >> Read More ...
What is a subdural empyema? A subdural empyema is a collection of pus in the subdural space, the naturally occurring space between the dura and arachnoid mater (outer and middle meningeal layer). This is a consequence of an infection and often spreads from neighboring sites like the paranasal sinuses. Most cases occur >> Read More ...
An abscess may originate in multiple sites within the cranial cavity and therefore the term intracranial abscess more accurately describes it. Since the largest part of the brain, the cerebrum, is more commonly affected the term brain abscess is synonymous with cerebral abscess. An abscess may also occur in the cerebellum >> Read More ...
The term brain injury is often used synonymously with traumatic brain injury (TBI), however, it is important to note that not all types of injury to the brain tissue is associated with trauma. Similarly, head trauma will not always result in brain injury. Therefore brain injury should never be assumed by the degree of head >> Read More ...
The pressure within the cranial cavity, the part of the skull that houses the brain, is maintained at a fairly constant level. This ensures that the brain can “float” in the CSF and be cushioned by the fluid without being compressed against the skull by its own weight, colliding with the skull bone during >> Read More ...
The cranial cavity houses the brain and related structures but it is a rigid compartment that will not accommodate expansion of the tissues and fluid within. The dural folds are also rigid dividers that compartmentalize the different parts of the brain. The softer tissue of the brain therefore presses against the bone or >> Read More ...
