Thyroid Anatomy Illustration

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck just below the Adams apple. The gland wraps
around the windpipe (trachea) and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly formed by two wings (lobes) and attached by a
middle part (isthmus).

The thyroid gland works like a tiny factory that uses iodine (mostly from the diet in foods such as seafood and salt) to
produce thyroid hormones. These hormones help to regulate the body's metabolism and effects processes, such as growth
and other important functions of the body.

The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), representing 99.9% and 0.1% of
thyroid hormones respectively. The hormone with the most biological power is actually T3. Once released from the thyroid
gland into the blood, a large amount of T4 is converted to T3 - the active hormone that affects the metabolism of cells
throughout our body.

Thyroid Conditions

 Thyroiditis : Inflammation of the thyroid gland which can release an excess of thyroid hormones into the blood
stream, resulting in a temporary hyperthyroid state. Once the thyroid gland is depleted of thyroid hormones, the
patient commonly goes through a hypothyroid (low thyroid) phase.
 Thyroid Nodule : The term "thyroid nodule" refers to any abnormal growth that forms a lump in the thyroid
gland. A thyroid nodule can occur in any part of the gland. Some nodules can be felt quite easily, while others
can be hidden deep in the thyroid tissue or located very low in the gland where they are difficult to feel.
 Hyperthyroidism Slideshow : Watch this slideshow on hyperthyroidism - a condition in which an overactive
thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormones. Learn causes, symptoms and treatment for
hyperthyroidism.
 Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which an overactive thyroid gland is producing an excessive
amount of thyroid hormones that circulate in the blood.
 Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by abnormally low thyroid hormone production.
 Thyroid Cancer: There are 4 major types of thyroid cancer -- papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The
most common symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump, or nodule, that can be felt in the neck.

Thyroid Tests

 Thyroid Blood Tests: Blood testing is now commonly available to determine the adequacy of the levels of thyroid
hormones. These blood tests can define whether the thyroid gland's hormone production is normal, overactive,
or underactive.
  Thyroid Scan: In a thyroid scan, iodine is labeled with a radioactive tracer, and a special camera is used to
measure how much tracer is absorbed from the bloodstream by the thyroid gland.
 Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid : A procedure commonly used to determine whether a nodule in the
thyroid gland is benign or malignant. A fine gauge needle is placed into the nodule and a drop of blood is
withdrawn. The cells are studied under the microscope by a pathologist.
 Thyroid Peroxidase Test: A blood test done to detect autoantibodies directed against thyroid peroxidase (TPO),
an enzyme in the thyroid gland that is very important to the production of thyroid hormones.

Thyroid Treatment

 Parathyroidectomy: Surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands. Parathyroidectomy is usually
done to treat hyperparathyroidism.
Eye Anatomy Illustration

The eye is our organ of sight. The eye has a number of components which include but are not limited
to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, choroid and vitreous.

 Cornea: clear front window of the eye that transmits and focuses light into the eye.
 Iris: colored part of the eye that helps regulate the amount of light that enters
 Pupil: dark aperture in the iris that determines how much light is let into the eye
 Lens: transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina
 Retina: nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, senses light, and creates electrical impulses that
travel through the optic nerve to the brain
 Macula: small central area in the retina that contains special light-sensitive cells and allows us to see
fine details clearly
 Optic nerve: connects the eye to the brain and carries the electrical impulses formed by the retina to
the visual cortex of the brain
 Vitreous: clear, jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye

Eye Conditions

 Eye Diseases and Conditions Slideshow : Watch this slideshow on various eye diseases. Learn the
warning signs and symptoms of common eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, pink eye,
macular degeneration and more that can cause damage and blindness if not detected and treated
soon enough.
 Glaucoma : A common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eyes rises because of
slowed fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, it may damage the optic nerve and other parts of the
eye, causing the loss of vision or even blindness.
 Pink Eye : Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjuctiva)
covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids. The term pink-
eye is most commonly used to refer to the infectious (viral or bacterial) type of conjunctivitis, but it
may also result from allergic reactions.
 Cataracts: Cataract is a painless condition where the normally clear aspirin-sized lens of the eye starts
to become cloudy. The result is much like smearing grease over the lens of a camera which impairs
normal vision.
 Eye Allergy (Allergic Eye Disease): Severe allergic eye symptoms can be very distressing and are a
common reason for visits to the allergist or ophthalmologist. Occasionally, severe eye allergies cause
serious damage that can threaten eyesight.
  Retinal Detachment: A retinal detachment is a separation of the retina from its attachments to its
underlying tissue within the eye. Most retinal detachments are a result of a retinal break, hole, or tear.
 Keratoconus: Normally, the cornea has a round shape, like a Ping-Pong ball. Sometimes, however, the
structure of the cornea is just not strong enough to hold this round shape. Keratoconus occurs causing
the cornea to bulge outward like a cone, causing distorted vision . Also called conical cornea.
 Chalazion (Eyelid Cyst): A chalazion is a tiny lump of the upper or lower eyelid caused by inflammation
of a gland of the lid. It may be soft and fluid-filled or firmer.
 Uveitis (Inflammation of the Eye): Inflammation of the uvea, the part of the eye that collectively refers
to the iris, the choroid of the eye, and the ciliary body.
 Blepharitis: Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids and occurs in two forms, anterior (outside of
the eyelid) and posterior (inner eyelid).
 Sty (Stye, Hordeolum): A sty (sometimes spelled stye) is a tender, painful red bump located at the base
of an eyelash or inside the eyelid.

Eye Tests

 Tonometry: A standard eye test that determines the fluid pressure inside the eye by measuring the
tone or firmness of its surface.
 Electroretinography (ERG): A test used to detect abnormal function of the retina (the light-detecting
portion of the eye) in which the electrical potentials generated by the retina are measured when
stimulated by light.
 Visual Field Test: A visual field test is a method of measuring an individual's entire scope of vision, that
is their central and peripheral (side) vision.

Eye Care Procedures and Treatment

 Eye Care: Information on eye care tips and eye health, disorders and treatment with OTC eye-care
products, and when to see an ophthalmologist about an eye infection or condition.
 Cataract Surgery: Removal of the clouded lens (the cataract) in its entirety by surgery, usually followed
by replacement of the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) made of plastic, silicone, acrylic or other
material.
 LASIK Eye Surgery: Abbreviation standing for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, a kind of laser eye
surgery designed to change the shape of the cornea to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses and
contact lenses in cases of severe myopia (nearsightedness).
Eye Anatomy Detail llustration

The eye is our organ of sight. The eye has a number of components which include but are not limited
to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, choroid and vitreous.

 Cornea: clear front window of the eye that transmits and focuses light into the eye.
 Iris: colored part of the eye that helps regulate the amount of light that enters
 Pupil: dark aperture in the iris that determines how much light is let into the eye
 Lens: transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina
 Retina: nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, senses light, and creates electrical impulses
that travel through the optic nerve to the brain
 Macula: small central area in the retina that contains special light-sensitive cells and allows us
to see fine details clearly
 Optic nerve: connects the eye to the brain and carries the electrical impulses formed by the
retina to the visual cortex of the brain
 Vitreous: clear, jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye
Heart Anatomy Illustration

The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. It is positioned in
the chest behind the sternum (breastbone; in front of the trachea, esophagus, and aorta; and above the
diaphragm muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. The normal heart is about the size
of a closed fist, and weighs about 10.5 ounces. It is cone-shaped, with the point of the cone pointing
down to the left. Two-thirds of the heart lies in the left side of the chest with the balance in the right
chest.

Heart Conditions

 Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Slideshow : Watch this slideshow on heart disease
(coronary artery disease) and learn about causes like high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, high blood
pressure, and obesity. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain and shortness of breath.
Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention information is included.
 Heart Attack : A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of heart muscle from
the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot.
 Congestive Heart Failure : Inability of the heart to keep up with the demands on it and, specifically,
failure of the heart to pump blood with normal efficiency. When this occurs, the heart is unable to
provide adequate blood flow to other organs such as the brain, liver and kidneys.
 Heart Rhythm Disorders (Abnormal Heart Rhythms) : Abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat due to
irregularities in transmission of the electrical signals that normally control heart rate and rhythm (also
known as arrhythmias).
 Angina: Angina is chest discomfort that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an
area of the heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary
arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis.
 Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A medical emergency with absent or inadequate contraction of the left
ventricle of the heart that immediately causes bodywide circulatory failure.

Heart Tests

 Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): The electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a noninvasive test that is used
to reflect underlying heart conditions by measuring the electrical activity of the heart.
 Chest X-Ray: A chest X-ray is a radiology test that involves exposing the chest briefly to radiation to
produce an image of the chest and the internal organs of the chest.
  CT Coronary Angiogram: CT coronary angiogram is a noninvasive test of the heart. The procedure uses
an intravenous dye and CT scanning to image the coronary arteries. CT coronary angiogram is a major
tool in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
 Triglyceride Test (Triglycerides): Triglycerides are chemical compounds digested by the body to provide
it with the energy for metabolism. A triglyceride test is a simple blood test to measure the level of
triglycerides in the blood.
 Exercise Stress Test: The exercise stress test is a test used to provide information about how the heart
responds to exertion. It usually involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at
increasing levels of difficulty, while your electrocardiogram , heart rate and blood pressure are
monitored.

Heart Procedures and Treatment

 Angioplasty and Stents: Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that relieves narrowing and
obstruction of the arteries to the muscle of the heart (coronary arteries) while a stent is a tube
designed to be inserted into a vessel or passageway to keep it open.
 Heart Transplant: A surgical procedure in which a diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from
a deceased person.
 Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG) : A form of bypass surgery that can create new routes
around narrowed and blocked coronary arteries, permitting increased blood flow to deliver oxygen
and nutrients to the heart muscle.

Heart Detail Illustration

Heart Detail: The heart is composed of specialized cardiac muscle, and it is four-chambered, with a
right atrium and ventricle, and an anatomically separate left atrium and ventricle. The blood flows
from the systemic veins into the right atrium, thence to the right ventricle, from which it is pumped to
the lungs, then returned into the left atrium, thence to the left ventricle, from which it is driven into the
systemic arteries.

The heart is thus functionally composed of two hearts: the right heart and the left heart. The right heart
consists of the right atrium, which receives deoxygenated blood from the body, and the right ventricle
which pumps it to the lungs under low pressure; and the left heart, consisting of the left atrium, which
receives oxygenated blood from the lung, and the left ventricle, which pumps it out to the body under
high pressure.
Heart Catheter Illustration

Heart Catheter: Catheter procedures are much easier than surgery on patients because they involve
only a needle puncture in the skin where the catheter is inserted into a vein or an artery. Doctors don't
have to surgically open the chest or operate directly on the heart to repair the defect. This means that
recovery can be much easier and quicker.

The use of catheter procedures has grown a lot in the past 20 years. They have become the preferred
way to repair many simple heart defects, such as:

 Atrial septal defect. The doctor inserts the catheter through a vein and threads it up into the
heart to the septum. The catheter has a tiny umbrella-like device folded up inside it. When the
catheter reaches the septum, the device is pushed out of the catheter and positioned so that it
plugs the hole between the atria. The device is secured in place and the catheter is then
withdrawn from the body.

 Pulmonary valve stenosis. The doctor inserts the catheter through a vein and threads it into the
heart to the pulmonary valve. A tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is quickly inflated to
push apart the leaflets, or "doors," of the valve. The balloon is then deflated and the catheter is
withdrawn. Procedures like this can be used to repair any narrowed valve in the heart.

Doctors often use an echocardiogram or a transesophageal (trans-e-SOF-ah-ge-al) echocardiogram

(TEE) as well as an angiogram to guide them in threading the catheter and doing the repair. A TEE is a
special type of echocardiogram that takes pictures of the back of the heart through the esophagus (the
tube leading from the mouth to the stomach). TEE also is often used to define complex heart defects.

Catheter procedures also are sometimes used during surgery to help repair complex defects
Aorta Illustration

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. The aorta begins at the top of the left ventricle, the heart's
muscular pumping chamber. The heart pumps blood from the left ventricle into the aorta through the
aortic valve. Three leaflets on the aortic valve open and close with each heartbeat to allow one-way
flow of blood.

The aorta is a tube about a foot long and just over an inch in diameter. The aorta is divided into four
sections:

 The ascending aorta rises up from the heart and is about 2 inches long. The coronary arteries
branch off the ascending aorta to supply the heart with blood.
 The aortic arch curves over the heart, giving rise to branches that bring blood to the head, neck,
and arms.
 The descending thoracic aorta travels down through the chest. Its small branches supply blood
to the ribs and some chest structures.
 The abdominal aorta begins at the diaphragm, splitting to become the paired iliac arteries in the
lower abdomen. Most of the major organs receive blood from branches of the abdominal aorta.

Like all arteries, the aorta's wall has several layers:

 The intima, the innermost layer, provides a smooth surface for blood to flow across.
 The media, the middle layer with muscle and elastic fibers, allows the aorta to expand and
contract with each heartbeat.
 The adventitia, the outer layer, provides additional support and structure to the aorta.
Carotid Arteries Disease Illustration

Carotid Arteries Disease: Also called carotid artery stenosis, the term refers to the narrowing of the carotid
arteries. This narrowing is usually caused by the buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits, called
plaque. Carotid artery occlusion refers to complete blockage of the artery. When the carotid arteries are
obstructed, you are at an increased risk for a stroke, the third leading cause of death in the U.S.

Pericardial Pericardial Sac Illustration

Pericardial sac: A conical sac of fibrous tissue which surrounds the heart and the roots of the great
blood vessels. Also called the pericardium.

The pericardium has outer and inner coats. The outer coat is tough and thickened, loosely cloaks the
heart, and is attached to the central part of the diaphragm and the back of the sternum (breastbone).
The inner coat is double with one layer closely adherent to the heart while the other lines the inner
surface of the outer coat with the intervening space being filled with fluid.

This small amount of fluid, the pericardial fluid, acts as a lubricant to allow normal heart movement
within the chest.

The word "pericardium" means around the heart. The outer layer of the pericardium is called the
parietal pericardium. The inner part of the pericardium that closely envelops the heart is called the
visceral pericardium or epicardium.

Balloon Angioplasty Illustration