The Anatomy of Astrocytes

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsRehabilitation Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Rehabilitation Astrocytes are the most abundant type ofglial cellin the brain and are diverse in their ability to offer several protective functions to the central nervous system. The arrangement of astrocytes is related to the chemical and physical interactions with other brain cells. Astrocytes contribute to the production and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1068 words · Maureen Wagner

The Anatomy of Ball and Socket Joints

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsRehabilitation Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Rehabilitation This article will discuss different types of joints, how a ball and socket joint moves, and examples of ball and socket joints throughout the body. Ivan Pantic / Getty Images A ball and socketjointis a synovial joint, which means it allows for smooth movements between bones. The end of one bone within the joint is spherical, forming the ball, while the end of the other bone within the joint contains a rounded depression, forming the socket....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1042 words · Katrina Jensen

The Anatomy of Ligaments

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionTypesInjuries Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Types Injuries Ligaments are tough, fibrous connective tissue that connect two adjacent bones and help to keep them stabilized within a joint space. The main job of ligaments is to provide stability to joints and bones throughout the body. In fact, the function of ligaments are reflected in their name, which comes from “ligare”—the Latin word for “bind” or “tie....

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 1937 words · David Jennings

The Anatomy of Salivary Glands

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTestsFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Tests Frequently Asked Questions Glands are organs that make and release different substances in your body. The salivary glands produce saliva in your mouth. It is possible for these glands to become infected, swollen, or to develop other problems.This article will explain more about the anatomy, location, and function of the salivary glands....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1487 words · Jessica Taylor

The Anatomy of Spinal Nerves

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsRehabilitation Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Rehabilitation Spinal nerves are the major nerves of the body. There are a total of 31 symmetrical pairs of spinal nerves that emerge from different segments of the spine. Each spinal nerve contains both sensory and motor nerve fibers. These relay motor (movement), sensory (sensation), and autonomic (involuntary functions) signals between the spinal cord and other parts of the body....

January 17, 2025 · 13 min · 2583 words · Lisa Warren DDS

The Anatomy of the Amygdala

The amygdala is the part of thebrainprimarily involved in emotion, memory, and the fight-or-flight response. It is one of two almond-shaped cell clusters located near the base of the brain. Together, the amygdalae (plural), also known as the amygdaloid complex, is an important part of thelimbic system. The amygdalae interpret external stimuli like sights and sounds as potentially dangerous and send that information to the hippocampus. This process activates a release of energy so you can respond to and protect yourself from external threats (the flight-or-fight response)....

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1597 words · Steven Franklin

The Anatomy of the Ascending Colon

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTestsFAQ Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Tests FAQ The colon is part of thelarge intestine, and it has several different sections: ascending, transverse,descending, andsigmoid. The ascending colon is the first section. It is located in the digestive tract between the end of the small intestine and the second part of the colon, the transverse colon. It is also sometimes called the right colon....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1317 words · Michelle Williams

The Anatomy of the Auriculotemporal Nerve

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated Conditions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve that provides sensation to several regions on the side of your head, including the area around the jaw, ear, and scalp. For much of its course through the structures of your head and face, it runs along the superficial temporal artery and vein....

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 2031 words · Timothy Jensen

The Anatomy of the Autonomic Nervous System

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionControl of the Autonomic Nervous System Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Control of the Autonomic Nervous System Your nervous system helps you regulate your voluntary and involuntary actions, as well as thinking, communicating, and memory. Your autonomic nervous system is the aspect of the nervous system that controls all of your vital functions, like breathing, digestion, and heart rate—many of which you aren’t consciously aware of....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1072 words · Melissa Cross

The Anatomy of the Baby Soft Spot

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsCaring for the Soft SpotsConcernsFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Caring for the Soft Spots Concerns Frequently Asked Questions Babies are born with soft spots (fontanels) on their heads where the skull bones haven’t fully come together. These small gaps are made of connective tissue. They allow the brain to grow and develop before the skull bones fuse together....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 921 words · Catherine May

The Anatomy of the Basilic Vein

The basilic vein runs from the palm of the hand and up your arm on the side of theulna(a long bone that extends from your elbow to your finger) and the pinky finger. The basilic vein is considered superficial because it’s near the surface of your skin. It’s often visible in the inner arm.This vein’s job is to drain blood out of the hand and arm on its way back to theheart....

January 17, 2025 · 9 min · 1708 words · Virginia Jackson

The Anatomy of the Biceps

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTreatment Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Anatomy Function Associated Conditions Treatment The biceps is one of four muscles alongside the brachialis, brachioradialis, and coracobrachialis muscles that make up the upper arm. The termbicepsis both singular and plural. A single muscle is described as biceps, not bicep. The biceps muscle is comprised of two heads. At each end are connective tissues calledtendonsthat anchor the muscles to bone....

January 17, 2025 · 11 min · 2155 words · Lisa Richardson

The Anatomy of the Biliary System

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBileFunctionAnatomyConditionsTests Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Bile Function Anatomy Conditions Tests The biliary system, also called the biliary tract or biliary tree, is a system of ducts, organs, and associated structures that function to produce, store, secrete, and transport bile. The biliary system includes the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. This article explores the anatomy and function of the biliary system. It also discusses some of the associated conditions and how they are diagnosed and treated....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1378 words · Melinda Petty