Tendons are the connections between bone and muscle. Tendons are composed of dense fibrous connective tissues, have limited blood supply and are under almost constant tension from use. These properties make it hard for the body to repair tendons when there is a tear, strain, sprain or other damage.
Read more →
The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against invasion by diseases and other pathogens including viruses, bacteria and parasites. The immune system is also involved in the normal healing response to trauma as a protection against infection.
Read more →
A cough is a respiratory reaction that helps protect the lungs from irritating or damage substances. Coughing is a reflex action and involves rapid inhalation, closing off of the throat, increase in internal pressure in the chest, and forceful exhalation.
Read more →
Intestinal gas can be due to many factors and is often related to indigestion or changes in diet. There are various symptoms of intestinal gas--most can be considered normal for the condition but some can be peculiar and seemingly unrelated.
Read more →
Cardiac muscle is specialized tissue that is found only in the heart. It has characteristics similar to both smooth and skeletal muscle tissue, as well as specialized properties, that allow it to function with fast but sustained contractions, rapid conduction and coordinated movement.
Read more →
The hand moves in various and complicated ways and there is a complex array of articulations that allow flexibility of movement. The joints of the hand and wrist include hinge, gliding, condyloid and saddle joints. A hinge joint allows movement back and forth.
Read more →
Ligaments are dense fibrous connective tissues that join bones. Ligaments occur throughout the body wherever there are joints, and they can be very complex.
Read more →
There are many types of joints in the body including fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial joints. The synovial joints are characterized by the presence of synovial fluid within a space that encapsulates the articulating surfaces (surfaces that touch each other) of the joint.
Read more →