What is a goiter? Goiter (goitre) is the term for enlargement of the thyroid gland, the butterfly-shaped gland that lies in the neck and controls the body’s metabolism. It occurs when the thyroid gland is overstimulated and there is an increase in the number of cells in the gland (hyperplasia). This may be diffuse, >> Read More ...
The Placenta The placenta is the structure that connects the fetus to the uterine wall and is the conduit for nutrition and oxygen to reach the growing fetus. Essentially the placenta is the communication point between the mother’s blood circulation and that of the developing >> Read More ...
The thyroid gland is the one of the largest endocrine gland in the body lying in the front part of the neck. It plays a central role in the body’s metabolism by secreting the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which increases the basal metabolic rate of cells. It also secretes the hormone >> Read More ...
What is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor of the prostate gland, the small walnut-sized gland that lies below the bladder in men. It is one of the most cancers in men in the United States and almost 10% of the adult male population will develop prostate cancer within their lifetime. The increase in >> Read More ...
What is Thyroiditis? Thyroiditis is the term for inflammation of the thyroid gland, the bilobular gland located just below the voice box (larynx). The thyroid gland has several functions in the body but is best known for regulating the metabolism through the action of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and >> Read More ...
What are the thyroid hormones? There are two major hormones secreted by the thyroid gland – thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland secretes more thyroxine (T4) than triiodothyronine (T3) but most T4 is eventually converted into T3. Although T3 is secreted in significantly smaller quantities, it >> Read More ...
What is Pneumaturia? Pneumaturia is the term for passing gas in the urine. This may appear as gas bubbles in the urine and the passage of gas from the urethra during urination. Pneumaturia should be taken seriously as it is an indication of a compromised urinary tract which could progress to other complications if left >> Read More ...
Flatulence is the act of passing gas through the anus which is a normal part of human physiology. It is not usually reported as a symptom unless it is excessive resulting in frequent passing of flatus. The term flatulent is therefore accepted as excessive flatulence or frequent flatulence, in excess of the 15 to 20 times a >> Read More ...
There are two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for the various processes associated with the sexual characteristics in females. Both estrogen and progestrone are mainly produced in the ovaries along with a small quantity of testosterone (androgen – male sex hormone). The production >> Read More ...
