Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

Astrocytes are cells in the central nervous system crucial for supporting neurones and their function. A glioblastoma is a dangerous, rapidly growing type of brain tumour. Guess how they are linked.  

Neurones are the major cells of the nervous system, but how do they work, how are they arranged, and what are the other cells of the nervous system?

The anatomy of the airway is incredibly important and fairly simple. The structures of the trachea and bronchi are adapted tubes that don't collapse with changes in pressure, and the mucociliary escalator has an important protective role.

The mediastinum is a region within the thorax between the lungs. In here we find the heart, great vessels, trachea, oesophagus and other anatomical structures. We can further describe where these structures are by dividing the mediastinum up into superior and inferior parts, and the inferior mediastinum up into anterior, middle and posterior medastinal compartments.

The anatomy of the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava in 5 minutes, with a little extra about anastomoses. These are the largest and some of the most important veins in the body.

How do skeletal muscle cells (myocytes) change their length? How does this relate to the different types of contractions that we see in gross anatomy and rigor mortis?

The parathyroid glands are vital as they help regulate blood calcium levels. Where are they?

Is the amygdala the fear centre of the brain? What's the anatomy here?

The sinoatrial node is the pacemaker of the heart. Let's talk about it in a little more detail.

The saphenous veins are superficial veins of the lower limbs. Why do they become varicose veins and why are they used in CABG surgery? What is CABG?

The coeliac trunk is a branch of the aorta in the abdomen that supplies blood to the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and parts of the duodenum and oesophagus. It is important because its branches supply blood to important organs but also because stomach and duodenal ulcers can erode through these arteries and cause significant bleeding. The anatomy here is difficult to describe but l...

Does thinking about the anatomy of the limbic system fill you with dread? That's your limbic system in action. Find out more in just 5 minutes in this podcast.

The basal ganglia should be called the basal nuclei, and are also referred to as the corpus striatum. This demonstrates one of the problems with studying neuroanatomy as terms seem to overlap. Let's talk about what the basal ganglia are, what they do, some of this terminology and what they have to do with Parkinson's disease.

The enteric nervous system describes the nerves of the gastrointestinal tract that autonomously regulate much of its function. Sometimes called the second brain it is a complex network of sensory inputs linked to motor outputs organised into two major plexuses running the entire length of the gut.

The phrenic nerve is well known for its role in innervating the diaphragm and its roots in the C3, 4 and 5 spinal nerves. It also innervates the pericardium, is implicated in the runner's stitch pain and can be responsible for pain in the shoulder.

The largest nerve in the body has many spinal nerve roots in the low back that are often the cause of pain in the lower limb. Let's quickly describe the anatomy of this huge nerve.

One of the huge reasons that exercise and a good diet are so important is atherosclerosis. This pathology describes a change to the walls of arteries that can cause narrowing, rupture or blocking of an artery. If this occurs in an artery supplying blood to the heart or the brain this will probably cause death, and is a leading cause of death in western countries.

It's the largest organ in the body (or on the body)? You can't live without it, it is an entire system of the body (the integumentary system), it is the major sensory organ, and it gets wrinkly as you get older. Skin!

There are only four tissues that make up the body (epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous). We should talk about epithelia and carcinoma.

Erb's palsy is an upper brachial plexus injury and is an example of why learning the anatomy of the brachial plexus is important. How does this palsy present and what has been injured?

The aorta is the major artery that runs the length of the torso, has some cool curves, and supplies blood to everything.

Gait is complicated, and Trendelenburg gait is an abnormal gait caused by a weakness or paralysis of the gluteus medius and minimus muscles. How does this work? (Or not work)?

The adrenal glands are vital and the cortex and medulla of each have different functions. Let's talk about their anatomy and what they do.

The sacroiliac joint is a very strong joint that takes the load of the torso from the vertebral column and sends it to the pelvis and lower limbs. It is a synovial joint that allows a little movement and is strongly supported by ligaments. Pain here is often caused by the joint being pulled too far by the large muscles that cross it or that move the pelvis.

The ribs are a series of 12 curving bones on either side of the torso forming the walls of the thorax and upper abdomen. Let's talk about their parts and how they move.