Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
A Functional Motor Unit in the Culture Dish: Co-culture of Spinal Cord Explants and Muscle Cells
Published on: April 12, 2012
The association or otherwise of the functional somatic syndromes
Richard A A Kanaan1, Jean Pierre Lepine, Simon C Wessely
1King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Objective:
To review the evidence for overlap in the phenomenology of the Functional Somatic Syndromes (FSS). The FSS show considerable comorbidity, leading some to suggest they may be aspects of the same disorder.
Methods:
We conducted a selective review of peer-reviewed articles on the co-occurrence of FSS symptoms and diagnoses.
Results:
Considerable evidence of overlap was found at the level of symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and clinical diagnoses made.
Conclusions:
Phenomenological commonalities support a close relationship between the FSS, although differences remain in other domains. Whether the FSS may best be considered the same or different will depend on the pragmatics of diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:11Introduction to Connective Tissues
01:22Somatic Spinal Reflexes
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
01:09Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An immobile...
01:25Fascicle Arrangement in Skeletal Muscles
The four primary types of muscle based on fascicle arrangement are:
01:23Functional Divisions of the Nervous System
The sensory division transmits information from sensory receptors in the body to the CNS. It provides the CNS with knowledge about somatic senses (such as tactile, thermal, pain, and proprioceptive sensations)...