Anatomy & Physiology


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Feature Writer Isaac M. McPhee

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Kenneth Rosen

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Anatomy & Physiology

The Circle of Willis

In: Cardiovascular System

By: Isaac M. McPhee

The Circle of Willis is a vital formation of arteries at the base of the brain which supplies all thought processes with the necessary fuel. more...

The Human Stomach

In: Digestive System

By: Isaac M. McPhee

The stomach is a marvelous piece of biological engineering - exactly what is needed by the body to break down food with powerful acids while protecting the body. more...

The Physiology of Skin

In: Cells/Tissues/Membranes

By: Isaac M. McPhee

Human skin is a highly complex, highly important organ, serving many different functions within the body and being absolutely essential for human life as we know it. more...

The Many Purposes of Saliva

In: Digestive System

By: Isaac M. McPhee

Saliva serves many purposes within the mouth, such as a digestive aid and acid neutralization, both of which are vital to the human physiology. more...

The Parathyroid Glands

In: Anatomy & Physiology (general)

By: Isaac M. McPhee

The parathyroid gland is an essential part of the human anatomy, regulating the crucial calcium supply to the entire body. more...

The Science of Hiccups

In: Anatomy & Physiology (general)

By: Isaac M. McPhee

Science is still unsure exactly what causes hiccups as well as how to cure them. So what exactly have they learned in their studies? more...

How Do Nerves Activate Muscle

In: Skeletal/Muscular System

By: Kenneth Rosen

Motor nerves release acetylcholine to make skeletal muscle contract. Activation of acetylcholine receptors in muscle causes ionic flux that ends with muscle contraction. more...

Different Types of Skeletal Muscle

In: Skeletal/Muscular System

By: Kenneth Rosen

The human body has more than 600 skeletal (or voluntary) muscles. They can be subdivided into groups dependent on whether they contract rapidly or slowly. more...

Skeletal and Other Muscle Types

In: Anatomy & Physiology (general)

By: Kenneth Rosen

Our skeletal muscles respond to voluntary control, but we have numerous other muscles in our bodies which we can't control and this is definitely a good thing. more...

The Neuromuscular Junction

In: Skeletal/Muscular System

By: Kenneth Rosen

Motor neurons in your spinal cord tell your muscles to contract by utilizing the function of a specialized communication structure, the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). more...

APP, Genetics and Alzheimer's

In: Nervous System

By: Kenneth Rosen

Familial Alzheimer's disease cases are only a small fraction of all AD cases, but the genes involved can tell us about some of the important biochemistry. more...

The Basics of Parkinson Disease

In: Nervous System

By: Kenneth Rosen

Parkinson disease causes a loss of purposeful movement control and the emergence of tremors and other symptoms. What is known about this disorder and how is it treated? more...

Clear Zebra Fish Show Cancer Cells

In: Cells/Tissues/Membranes

By: Sue Cartledge

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston's Stem Cell Program have bred a transparent zebra fish to help them better understand disease processes by seeing them. more...

Basic Alzheimer's Disease Biology

In: Nervous System

By: Kenneth Rosen

An overview of the basic biology behind Alzheimer's disease and its rising prevalence. What causes nerve cells to die and can these processes be stopped? more...

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