Introduction As mentioned in Chapter 9 , the heart is the muscular organ that serves as the pump driving the flow of blood through the cardiovascular system. System structure Located in the mediastinum of the chest at the level of…
Introduction The cardiovascular system serves as the principal transportation and distribution network of the body, allowing: Delivery of several essential substances (e.g., glucose and oxygen) to the tissues Removal of by-products of metabolism (e.g., carbon dioxide, lactate, and heat) In…
Note: This case will be presented in a slightly different format, to facilitate our discussion of the sequence of the “normal” immune response. A.P. is a 69-year-old man with hypertension (well controlled, on medications), hypercholesterolemia, and osteoarthritis of the right…
Introduction The lymphatic system plays two essential roles in the human body: 1. Absorbs fluid from interstitial space and returns fluid to intra-vascular space. a. Transports lymph filtration fluid that enters the interstitial space from the capillaries. 2. Functional connection…
Introduction Blood is a specialized type of connective tissue that performs several key functions required for the viability of all other organs: Major transportation route via the circulatory system. Brings oxygen and nutrients (i.e., glucose), as well as endocrine hormones.…
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Introduction Like skeletal muscle (see Ch. 5 ), the primary function of smooth muscle is contraction. However, although skeletal muscles often attach to bones and cross joints so that contraction produces limb movement, smooth muscle typically forms tissues within organ…
Introduction Muscle comes in three varieties: 1. Cardiac 2. Skeletal 3. Smooth These three types are differentiated based on: 1. Distinct control systems (neuronal, neurohormonal) 2. Anatomic locations 3. Specialized cellular structure, function, and biochemistry. The major function of skeletal…
Introduction The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the direct extension of the central nervous system (CNS), and it is capable of consciously monitoring and reacting to primarily external stimuli. Dysfunction of this system can lead to an inability of patients…
Introduction Because of the development of new research techniques, knowledge of the brain acquired in the past 2 decades has exceeded the amount learned in all previous centuries. Numerous questions remain unanswered: “What is consciousness?” “What defines our personality?” “How…