The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a long, hollow tube extending from the mouth to the anal canal. It consists of a variety of cells that aid in digestion, absorption and secretion. Cell types from the mouth to the anal canal are briefly discussed.
The body's largest organ is the skin, weighing about 6 lbs., according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is essential in safeguarding the body from external deterrents that can damage internal organs. It acts to maintain body...
The respiratory epithelium is the lining of the airway, extending from the nasal cavity through the branching respiratory tree to the terminal air sacs of the lungs. Together, the respiratory epithelium serves as a leak-proof barrier that...
Kidneys are complex organs that perform many functions. In addition to filtering blood, they secrete hormones that regulate blood pressure and maturation of red blood cells. Many of the filtration functions also have secondary effects, such as...
Barrett's disease, also called Barrett's esophagus, is a complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. At the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach is a circular muscle, or sphincter, that closes after food or liquids enter...
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck in front of the trachea (wind pipe). According to the Mayo Clinic, the thyroid produces hormones that help regulate the body's temperature, blood pressure, and metabolism. The National...
Cervical erosion, also called cervical ectropion or cervical ulceration, occurs when the squamous cells at the cervical opening become columnar cells. The cervix appears inflamed and red and irritated. This condition is often not distinguishable...
Magazine images show perfectly poreless skin on models' noses and cheeks, but under the cosmetics and photographic manipulation, they probably have the same tiny indentations on the oiliest parts of their faces that others do. You might mistake...
Punching bags toughen your knuckles for martial arts practice, boxing and more strenuous sparring workouts, but you must start slowly. Repeatedly hitting the rough surface of the punching bag with bare hands can lead to abrasions if you attack...
What is a Pap Smear (or a Papanicolauo's Test)? Pap smears, also called cervical smears, are very important for women who start having sex in their early teens. This may be because the young cervix is more vulnerable to cancerous changes when...
The esophagus transports swallowed food and liquids to the stomach. Normally, it is lined with skin-like cells called squamous epithelial cells. With Barrett's esophagus, the normal cells at the lower end of the esophagus near the stomach are...
Numerous herbs may be helpful for your sciatic pain. According to the Spine Health website, sciatica is a medical term that describes leg pain, tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in your lower back and travels down the back of your leg...
Gingko biloba, the herbal remedy, derives from the maidenhair tree, which is frequently used as a landscaping tree and is also classified as a living fossil. Gingko biloba has a history as an herbal remedy with various medical programs performing...
Hoodia gordonii is a rare, succulent plant that resembles the columnar cactus and is found in the Kalahari Deserts of South Africa. Hoodia has gained recent attention in North America and it is marketed and sold alone, and in combination with...
Calcium deposits within the breast are often detected upon mammography and may sometimes be an early indicator of breast cancer progression. There are several factors that may contribute to the development of calcium deposits including age,...
The same conditions that make southern Louisiana ideal for gardening in general--abundant rainfall, high humidity and fertile soil--make it a challenging environment for many culinary herbs. Culinary herbs of all types grow and thrive in southern...
