Reporter and National Public Radio science correspondent Robert Krulwich recently shared a suspenseful and true story about a woman in Barcelona struck by tuberculosis. Rather than have her left lung removed, she agreed to receive a transplanted trachea. The woman, […]
A tale of two tracheas Read More
Feel that bump on the top of your shoulder? This is the highest point of your shoulder and is the exact meaning of the term combining two Greek words meaning “tip, summit or extreme” and “shoulder”. In some individuals their
Anatomy word of the month: Acromion Read More
Des Moines University will award 529 degrees at its 2012 Commencement Ceremony May 26 at 10 a.m. at Hy-Vee Hall in the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines. The dean from each of the three DMU colleges will
Des Moines University to award 529 degrees at 112th commencement Read More
On Friday, May 18, Des Moines University will honor 56 people who donated their bodies to further medical education in the past year. This year’s service recognizes donors from across the state, as well as Illinois and Missouri. The family
Annual memorial service honors DMU body donors and their families Read More
The little fleshy appendage hanging from the back of your soft palate is called the “little grape” in Latin. As part of the palate the uvula helps seal off your nasal cavity from your throat cavity during swallowing. This works
Anatomy word of the month: Uvula Read More
The Community Ambassador Program (CAP) at Des Moines University offers area students – grade school through college – opportunities to learn about various health and medical topics and issues. Schools and classes that participated in CAP in recent months include
Community Ambassador Program – Spring 2012 Read More
“To make an X” (Latin). A decussation is an intersection of pathways in the form of an X. Most nerve pathways between our brain and spinal cord cross over at some point. This accounts for why each side of our
Anatomy word of the month: Decussation Read More
“Vinegar cup” in Latin. The hip joint is made up of a deep rounded socket, the acetabulum, on the side of the pelvis and the round head of the femur (thigh bone). It is a very stable joint that is
Anatomy word of the month: Acetabulum Read More
“Cross-shaped” in Latin. In the knee joint are two ligaments that cross over each other, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. These ligaments help stabilize the joint, in particular, to prevent the femur (thigh bone) from slipping too far forward
Anatomy word of the month: Cruciate ligaments Read More
The phrenic nerves control the diaphragm, our major muscle of respiration (breathing). From the Greek, phrenic means both diaphragm and mind. The ancient Greeks believed that the diaphragm was the seat of our emotions. Sound farfetched? Have you ever “heaved
Anatomy word of the month: Phrenic nerve Read More