Anatomy and Physiology - Bit by Bit

Today's episode begins the lymphatic system. I posted an image on Instagram that may help you follow along with some of the anatomy talk. I also answer a listener question about VO2 Max. Tell your professors about A&P Digital Suite where they can assign up to 165 of my tutor videos as well as industry-leading A&P lab simulations. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel w...

This episode covers the Cardiac Cycle, which is everything that happens in the heart from the beginning of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next heartbeat. The best visual for this is the Wiggers Diagram, which I have posted on instagram (studenthelp4AP) and twitter (@studenthelp4AP). I recommend using this image to following along. I also answer a question about hydration from listener Ali....

Episode 47 covers the electrical activity of the heart as well as explains the ECG. The heart is unique that it generates and conducts its own electrical signals without a need for motor neurons. For an in-depth look at the human heart and the rest of the human body, check out A&P Digital Suite for over 150 A&P tutor videos I've made, study guides, and comprehensive anatomy and physiology...

This episode covers the histology of cardiac muscle tissue including how some cardiac muscle cells generate their own electrical signals. This is how the heart beats without being innervated by neurons. I also talk about coronary artery disease and bypass surgery. Tell your professors about A&P Digital Suite where they can assign up to 165 of my tutor videos as well as industry-leading A&P lab sim...

Episode 45 covers the gross anatomy of the heart. Whether your in a cadaver lab, dissecting an animal heart, using models, or a digital anatomy program like Anatomy & Physiology Revealed, this episode should help you visualize the human heart and it's most significant structures. For an in-depth look at the human heart and the rest of the human body, check out A&P Digital Suite for over 15...

This episode covers capillary exchange, the way our blood delivers and receives materials to and from the tissues. I also invite you to listen to conversations I had with my colleagues at the Annual National Conference of the Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (HAPS). I got to talk to professors, authors, publishers, and anatomical model creators. Judy Nath. Anatomic Excellence. Check out my ⁠...

Today's episode is about blood pressure. It's not just something we avoid, it's essential for our circulatory system to function. We focus on hydrostatic pressure and work out a formula to to calculate resistance to flow. We also discuss coronary artery disease and why it is the leading cause of death in the world. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel with more A&P content to...

Today we tackle the anatomy of blood vessels. Arteries, veins, and capillaries, oh my! What are they made of? What does that tissue do? What's the difference between them? All these questions are answered in Episode 42. I also answer a listener question about blood plasma from Eliza in Melbourne, Australia. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel with more A&P content to help yo...

In 2018, triathlete and skydiver Jason Dennen was in a catastrophic skydiving accident that put him in a coma for 8 days, broke 20 bones, damaged several organs, and dislodged his heart from the pericardial sac. Doctors were shocked he reached the hospital alive. Within a year of the accident and being told he wouldn't be able to run again, Jason completed a triathlon. This episode is entirely dev...

Today's episode focuses on white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes). We touch on their formation, anatomy, and function. We also discuss a little about hemophilia, when blood doesn't clot. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel with more A&P content to help you understand the human body and maybe even get your B or better in A&P. As always, feel free to email...

In this episode, we begin our coverage of the circulatory system with some general information, functions, and an introduction to blood. We discuss red blood cells (erythrocytes), their production, and blood type. I also answer a listener's question about hormone-disrupting chemicals. Click here for the source I used for that information. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel...

Episode 38 covers the rest of the hormones we"ll be discussing, including those from the pineal, thymus, skin, heart, bones, muscles, and more. Also, you'll get to hear my conversation with Kira Kraiman , national board certified health and wellness coach. We discussed what it means to be a wellness coach as well as smoking cessation, diabetes, nutrition, and exercise. You can check out what...

Episode 37 covers the endocrine portion of the pancreas as well as the adrenal glands. These two important endocrine glands are incredibly clinically significant. Diseases associated with them are diabetes, cushing, and addison disease. We discuss both's role in glucose metabolism and the regulation of blood sugar. A must listen for anyone considering a career in the health professions. Check out...

In this episode we get into the specifics of the thyroid and parathyroid glands as well as their hormones and conditions associated with them, like hypothyroidism, Graves' Disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You'll also get to hear my conversation with Jennifer Bentley, BSN, MSN, who is a former ER nurse and current endoscopy nurse specializing in nursing informatics. You'll get to hear why she...

This episode is a deep dive into the hypothalamus and the pituitary. There are 70+ hormones in the body and these two small structures are responsible for 14 of them. With the hypophyseal portal system and the hypothalamo-hypophyseal tract, we can visualize the intricate connection between these two. The pituitary is known as the "master gland," but as we can see, it does nothing unless...

This episode discusses how hormones take action on their target cells. We look at both lipid soluble and water soluble hormones and their subclasses. I also answer a listener's question about neurological exams and how they pertain to a recent episode. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel with more A&P content to help you understand the human body and maybe even get your B or...

Episode 33 introduces the endocrine system and its functions. We discuss hormones, their chemical makeup, and how they're secreted and transported. The endocrine system is clinically significant to just about every healthcare field and we'll spend more than one episode on it. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel with more A&P content to help you understand the human body and...

Episode 32 continues with the ear, covering balance and equilibrium. We discuss what vertigo is, the symptoms, and how it's treated. I also have a conversation with Dr. Kathy Burleson of Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Dr. Burleson is the founder and chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Human Anatomy & Physiology Society (HAPS). We discuss that commit...

This episode covers the anatomy of the ear and the physiology of hearing. I also discuss the physics of sound waves and how we convert sound waves to the electrical signals that make it to our brain so we can perceive sound. Check out my ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ account and ⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠ channel with more A&P content to help you understand the human body and maybe even get your B or better in A&P. As always, f...

Episode 30 covers the anatomy of the eye, image formation, visual reflexes, and the neural pathway of vision. I also had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Benjamin Rowe, optometrist and owner of Doylestown Family Eye Associates in the suburbs of Philadelphia. We discuss what an optometrist does, how to become one, and eye pathology. The team at Doylestown Family Eye Associates has been treating m...

Episode 29 continues with sensation by covering the chemical senses: olfaction (smell) and gustation (taste). You'll also get to hear my conversation with chef and restaurateur Chris Pastena of Oakland, California. Chris also co-founded the non-profit Community Kitchens , which works to feed the hungry in the Oakland area. You can learn more about Community Kitchens and how you can help. Check out...

Episode 28 begins our discussion of sensation, the last nervous system topic. We focus on general senses, saving special senses for the next episode. In this episode I spoke with Dr. Krista Rompolski, who teaches A&P in the physical therapy department of Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. Krista is also an author on the textbook Fox’s Human Physiology, from McGraw-Hill Education. Krista sha...

Episode 27 finishes up the autonomic nervous system, discussing the neurotransmitters of the ANS, dual innervation, and central control. It also includes my conversation with Dr. Beth Kersten, professor of anatomy & physiology at the State College of Florida’s Venice campus. Beth is one of the authors of Gunstream’s Anatomy & Physiology, a textbook published by McGraw-Hill Education. Beth...

Episode 26 begins our discussion of the autonomic nervous system, our fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest control. The autonomic nervous system mediates the visceral reflexes that control heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and a plethora of physiological processes. You’ll also get to hear my conversation with Dr. Michael Windelspecht, author of the Mader’s Biology series of textbooks from McGr...

Episode 25 is the final brain episode covering the brainstem, diencephalon, and cerebellum. These are the more primitive parts of our brain controlling whether we’re hungry or thirsty, our fight-or-flight mechanisms, cardiovascular and respiratory function, monitoring our body’s position in space, and coordinating our movements. It’s a lot to cover, so there is no guest on today’s episode. Check o...