Respiratory Anatomy

Photo taken by Dr. Haus

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system is the organ system that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide out of the body,

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Respiratory Anatomy

 

The Heart's Conduction System

Photo taken by Dr. Haus

The Heart's Conduction System

The heart's conduction system is the part of the heart that allows the heart to beat.  The conduction system is made up of the electrical wiring and structures that give the heart the signals to beat.

Without the conduction system, the heart would not receive the electrical signals it needs to undergo a contraction in order to pump the blood.

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Heart Conduction System "Anatomy"

The heart's conduction system is made up of nerve cells and specialized muscle cells that create, conduct, and deliver the electrical signals to allow the heart to beat.

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 Steps of Heart Conduction

1. Electrical signal begins at the sinus (SV) node in the right atrium
2. Electrical signal leaves the SV node and travels to the atrioventricular (AV) node.  As it travels to the AV node the right and left atria contract
3. Electrical signal arrives at AV node which sits between the atria and the ventricles
4. Electrical signal leaves the AV node and travels down the bundles of His that are located between the left and right ventricles.  NO contraction happens here as the bundles of His are insulated from the left and right ventricles
5. Electrical signal enters the Purkinje fibers that continue to the left and right ventricles.  The left and right ventricles contract as the Purkinje fibers receive the electrical signal
   

Key:

1.  Sinus (SV) node

2.  Atrioventicular (AV) node

3.  Bundles of His

4.  Purkinje fibers

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What is the Direct Coombs Test and Why is it Important?

Photo taken by Dr. Haus

Direct Coombs Test

The Direct Coombs test is a test that is determining if there are antibodies attached to the surface of the red blood cells.  These antibodies are marking the red blood cells for destruction.

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Why is Direct Coombs Test important?  

The Direct Coombs test is important because if there are antibodies attached to the red blood cells in a patient's body we then know that the body is destroying its own red blood cells.  This helps narrow down the list of potential causes of disease in the patient and gives doctors information they need to start treatment for the patient.

Explaination of Case Flow

  

Photo taken by a friend of Dr. Haus's

The sharing of educational materials is a large inspiration for this blog and the case series I am developing is the first type of education materials I plan on creating for this blog.  I want to outline the format for the cases so everyone can take part in this great opportunity to try, learn, and grow!

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The goal for the cases is for everyone to practice and learn.  This will be done through spending 3 days of blog posts to work through cases.  I highly recommend working through the cases with friends, family, pets, frenemies, mortal enemies, the wall, your invisible friend, etc.  The more you talk through these cases the more you will learn and the more you will be able to practice important skills such as problem-solving, communicating science, and thinking like a clinician. 

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I will be creating these blog posts to be accessible to anyone regardless of their scientific background.  All materials will be presented for three different levels to accommodate any learner at any stage of their journey. 

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If you have any cases, topics, or concepts that you want covered please comment them on the blog for inspiration!  Got an upcoming physiology exam and you have no idea what is going on with the renal system?  Let me know and I will put together materials to help!

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Now, let's jump in to understand the Case Flow!

Test Case Tuesday

On test case Tuesday, the initial information related to the patient's case will be shared.  Keep in mind, the species are not what is important - the important part is understanding the science behind the condition.  Animals are not as different from each other or humans as you may think.  If you are interested in veterinary medicine that is great.  If you are interested in human medicine that is great too - our pathophysiology/physiology is not all that different (especially amongst mammals).

At the end of test case Tuesday, you will not know the diagnosis of the patient but can take the time to create your differentials list and get excited for the Thoughtful Thursday blog post.  This is a great time to talk about the case with other people/animals/inanimate objects.

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Thoughtful Thursday

On thoughtful Thursday, the diagnosis and basic pathophysiology of the disease will be shared along with questions for each of the different levels of learning.  This is another great time to talk through the questions and answers.  You should take the time to think about how you would communicate this information to people of different scientific backgrounds especially if you are a "science person".  The medicine is the easy part, the hard part is communicating.

I believe much of the distrust of medical/science folks comes from our history of feeling as if we don't need to explain anything and that people should just blindly trust us.  That is not what we need to be doing as a scientific field - we need to work hard to practice communicating scientific information to folks without a scientific background.

Think about the cases, think about your answers, and take the time to look up any information you need to better understand the case, the questions, and the concepts.

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Conclusion Caturday

On Conclusion Caturday I will post the answers to the questions and links to further information based on the different levels of learning.  Take advantage of this time to check your answers, look up further information, and discuss this information with others.  I firmly believe you truly understand something when you can explain it to someone who does not have a strong foundation in the subject.

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Enjoy these cases as much as I enjoy creating them!

 

Dr. Haus's Unsolicited Life Advice Levels

  

Photo by Dr. Haus

Dr. Haus's Unsolicited Life Advice Levels

For this blog, some information will be presented or explained based on three different levels.  These different levels will help anyone have the ability to try, learn, and grow from the educational blog posts.

Remember, your level doesn't matter, the fact you are here is what matters (and I am glad you are here)! 

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Level 1

Level 1 materials are for folks who do not have a science background.  Maybe you haven't take a science class since middle school, maybe you forgot everything from your blow off general science elective from college.  Either way, I am happy you are here because you know a LOT more than you think.

 

Level 2

Level 2 materials are for folks who have some undergraduate science training.  Maybe you are a pre-health student, maybe you are taking science courses out of interest, or maybe you love to read about science.  I plan to prove to you that you know way more than your classes make you think you do.

Level 3

Level 3 materials are for folks who have a strong science background.  Maybe you are in a post-undergraduate health professional program, maybe you are getting your master's in science, or maybe you are a full-fledged health professional.  You can still learn here too and practice with your knowledge-base!  I highly recommend for folks in this category to work through these materials with colleagues and friends to get the most out of it.