Smooth muscle is one of the three types of muscle found in the body; cardiac and skeletal muscle being the other two. Smooth muscle is an involuntary muscle, meaning it is not under conscious control. It is found almost everywhere in the body. For example, it can be found in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract […]READ POST

The small intestine is a key part of the digestive system. Spanning 6-7m within the abdominal cavity, the small intestine has roles in digestion and absorption.   The small intestine is divided into three parts: the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The first part, the duodenum, is the shortest section. It is about 25-30cm long. […]READ POST

The urinary system is important in maintaining homeostasis of the body. For example, the urinary system regulates levels of fluids and electrolytes within the body.  The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The kidney is composed of three layers: the capsule, the renal cortex and the renal medulla. The renal medulla […]READ POST

The 25th of April marks World Malaria Day. Malaria is a disease contracted from mosquito bites. Specifically, from mosquitoes that are infected with a parasite from the genus plasmodium.   (1) When an infected mosquito bites your skin, it can transfer the parasite to you. (2) These parasites travel to the liver where they mature. The […]READ POST

Skeletal muscle is one of the three main types of muscle found in the body; cardiac and smooth muscle being the other two. Skeletal muscles are under voluntary control and are responsible for moving our bodies. Let’s explore the anatomy of skeletal muscle starting with one of the smallest units, the myofibril. Myofibrils are contractile […]READ POST

March marks Brain Injury Awareness Month. Let’s explore one of the more common types of brain injury, a concussion. A concussion is classified as a mild traumatic brain injury. A concussion may be caused by a large impact or trauma to the head. Concussions can also be caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration of the […]READ POST

January marks Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is a condition that affects the eyes. It can be caused by a number of factors. The most common cause is the build-up of fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye due to the fluid not being able to properly drain. This in turn can lead to increased […]READ POST

At this time of year, there are different seasonal worries. In the southern hemisphere, where it is summer, rhinitis can be more prevalent. While in the northern hemisphere, where it is winter, the flu is more widespread.  Rhinitis is inflammation and swelling of the nasal passageway. This is caused by a trigger or allergen that […]READ POST

Today marks World Contraception Day. Let’s explore the different types of contraception.  The first type of contraception is a physical barrier that prevents the sperm interacting with the egg. These include condoms and the diaphragm. Male condoms are worn on the penis to prevent the sperm being released into the vagina. Female condoms are placed […]READ POST

Auricular hematoma, more commonly known as cauliflower ear, describes the lumpy, deformed appearance of the ear. This is usually caused by blunt trauma to the outer ear. It is common in close-contact sports such as boxing, wrestling and rugby.   The outer ear includes the auricle and the external acoustic meatus, or auditory canal. The auricle […]READ POST