Category: EMR
- How People Die: Shock ()
Hippocrates used the word exemia to signify a state of being “drained of blood. Shock is a common term thrown around EMS circles. Shock (hypoperfusion) is the state of insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the body as a result of problems with the circulatory system. Initial symptoms of shock may include weakness, fast heart rate, […]
- How People Die: Suffocation ()
There are numerous ways a person can be suffocated (the process of asphyxiation). Sometimes there is nothing structurally wrong with the airway, but something wrong with the air itself (low oxygen environment, poison gases). Perhaps the patient is suffocating because the there is a problem not with the airway, but the lungs. An infection of […]
- How People Die: Choking ()
The human body is replete with a host of defense mechanisms that protect from microorganisms, the environment, insects, etc. The most vulnerable target on the human body is the airway. Airway is the term used to describe the circuit that brings air from the environment and into the lungs. There are numerous reflexes, structures, and […]
- Introduction to Medical Terminology ()
Medicine (as a practice) as we know it has only existed for around 120 years. Medicine as a study has existed since civilization first began. The academic treasures of the ancient world were assimilated into the Roman empire (which lasted almost 1000 years). The medical knowledge of the years were translated into Latin and marched […]
- Pediatric vs Adult Anatomy ()
A child’s physiology and anatomy is different in many ways from an adult. When a baby is born there are still gaps in the bones of the skull. The shape of the head can therefore be altered by constant pressure on it especially if the baby is always lying the same way in a bed. […]
- Threats To Perfusion ()
Perfusion is the passage of fluid through the circulatory system (blood stream) or lymphatic system to an organ or a tissue, usually referring to the delivery of blood to an area. Obviously, since the circulatory system transports oxygen and vital nutrients to the body’s cells, any interruption would result in certain death for millions of […]
- Skin ()
The skin is a vital organ that covers the entire outside of the body, forming a protective barrier against pathogens and injuries from the environment. The skin is the body’s largest organ; covering the entire outside of the body, it is about 2 mm thick and weighs approximately six pounds. It shields the body against […]
- Tissue and Cell Exchange ()
Air enters the body through the mouth or nose and quickly moves to the pharynx, or throat. From there, it passes through the larynx, or voice box, and enters the trachea. The trachea is a strong tube that contains rings of cartilage that prevent it from collapsing. Within the lungs, the trachea branches into a […]
- How Blood Moves Through The Body ()
Blood Flow Away from the Heart As the heart pumps, blood is pushed through the body through the entire circulatory system. Oxygenated blood is pumped away from the heart to the rest of the body, while deoxygenated blood is pumped to the lungs where it is reoxygenated before returning to the heart. With each rhythmic […]
- Blood ()
Blood is the fluid of life, transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissue and carbon dioxide from body tissue to the lungs. Blood is the fluid of growth, transporting nourishment from digestion and hormones from glands throughout the body. Blood is the fluid of health, transporting disease-fighting substances to the tissue and waste to […]