Chondromalacia literally means softening of the cartilage, and patella means knee cap. Chondromalacia patella means softening of the articular cartilage of the knee cap. The articular cartilage is the cartilage lining under the knee cap that articulates with the knee joint. Normally, it is smooth and shiny, so that it glides smoothly along the articular […]
The brain and the rest of the nervous system make up a control centre for the human body. All actions, both voluntary and involuntary, occur due to electrical and chemical signals being passed between the brain and the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system and the sensory organs. The nervous system carries out a complex array […]
The eye is a sense organ which allows us to obtain more information from our surroundings than each of the other four sense organs. The eye allows us to see and interpret the shapes, colours and dimensions of objects in the world by processing the light they reflect or emit. The eye is able to […]
The blood supply for the brain is distributed via the arteries, plus thousands more veins and capillaries. The brain actually receives one fifth of the cardiac output with each heartbeat. The blood supply is carried by the two internal carotid arteries (ICA) and the two vertebral arteries that anastomose (converge) at the base of the […]
Overview The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. The kidneys’ function is to filter the blood by removing waste products, and control the fluid balance in the body whilst regulating the balance of electrolytes. The kidneys are also involved […]
This week we are taking a look at some ailments that can directly or indirectly affect heart function. There are many extremely common conditions, which, depending on severity, can range from insignificant to potentially fatal disorders. Patient history is just as important as objective testing when it comes to cardiac patients. This is because many […]
A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury that can result from a jolt, blow or bump to the head. The sudden movement causes the brain to bounce around or twist inside the skull which results in a disturbance of brain function. After suffering a concussion, most patients will begin to get better […]
The word fracture means break, but the term ‘broken bone’ is a colloquialism, as break is not a formal orthopaedic term. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured. A bone fracture (sometimes abbreviated #) is a medical condition in which there is a break in the continuity of the bone. A bone fracture […]
There are many different spinal conditions. Spondylosis is a common degenerative condition of the spine that is caused by age related changes in the intervertebral disks. It can cause pressure on the nerve roots with subsequent sensory and, or motor disturbances, causing pain and numbness. Condition Description Annular Tear An annular tear describes a hole or rip in the […]
Cerebral Palsy Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, the largest portion of the brain. The cerebrum controls and integrates motor, sensory and higher cognitive functions, such as thought, reason, emotion and memory. Palsy refers to a disorder of movement. Causes Every fifteen hours, an Australian child is born with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is caused by […]
