The epidermis is a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Explain why that epithelium is much better suited for protecting the bodyÕs external surface than a mucosa consisting of a simple columnar epithelium would be.
Wes, a 40 year old aging beach boy, is complaining to you that although his suntan made him popular when he was young, now his face is all wrinkled, and he has several darkly pigmented moles that are growing rapidly and are as big as coins. What mnemonic should you think of? What does that mean and why should he be concerned?
The baby's hand has a transverse crease as well as a single flexion crease on the fifth digit. These features are most suggestive of Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Only about 20% of cases of Down syndrome will have the single flexion crease on the fifth digit, but it is a helpful finding for diagnosis, since the morphologic features of Down syndrome can be quite subtle. Discuss the relationship of the patterns of creases on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet and genetic disorders.
MaryÕs grandmother slipped on a scatter rug and fell heavily to the floor. Her lower limb was laterally rotated and noticeably shorter than the right, and when she attempted to get up, she winced with pain. What diagnosis can you make about MaryÕs grandmother? Why is this type of injury common in elderly?
In the December 2002 edition of Scientific American a feature article discusses the role of diet and brain growth and development. It sites several research studies. C. Owen Lovejoy of Kent State University proposed in 1981 that two-legged locomotion freed the arms to carry children and foraged goods. More recently, Kevin D. Hunt of Indiana University has posited that bipedalism emerged as a feeding posture that enabled access to foods that had previously been out of reach. Discuss how these theories have helped shape our skeleton to an up-right posture over time.
What abnormality do you notice in this image? Explain what symptoms may occur from this condition.
Describe the muscles and joint movements in the lower body while running.
In episode #321 of RipleyÕs Believe It Or Not, Luan Degennar, born with no biceps or deltoids and without the use of his legs pulls a 3,400 lb car 100 feet in less than one minute from a wheelchair. Describe what muscles he is using and why it is not important for this feat to have biceps.
In an effort to decrease the epidemic of fragile bones in children, a recent experiment, "Bouncing for Bones," in Vancouver schools is trying to increase bone density by having students jump up and down for five seconds, three times a day. Each jump puts over 500 times their body weight on their bones. Discuss how this exercise program will decrease the problem of fragile bones in youth to adulthood. Describe the histologic process involved in this study. What region of the body is bearing this weight and what portion of the skeleton is involved.