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Related Concept Videos

Appendicitis-I: Introduction01:22

Appendicitis-I: Introduction

The appendix, a small, narrow, blind tube extending from the inferior part of the cecum, is widely regarded as a vestigial organ, having lost much of its original function through evolution. Despite its diminished role, the appendix can become inflamed, a condition known as appendicitis.
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Regional Terms01:12

Regional Terms

Regional terms describe anatomy by dividing the body parts into different regions that contain structures involved in contributing similar functions. Using these terms helps increase the accurate description and identification of the particular region of interest or region affected by the disease.
Primarily, the human body has two major regions, the axial and appendicular regions. The axial region comprises regions from the head to the abdomen and makes up the central body axis. In contrast,...
Appendicitis01:19

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...
Overview of the Axial Skeleton01:09

Overview of the Axial Skeleton

The skeleton is subdivided into two major divisions—the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton forms the vertical, central axis of the body. It includes all of the bones of the head, neck, chest, and back. It protects the brain, spinal cord, heart, and lungs. It also serves as the attachment site for muscles that move the head, neck, and back and for muscles that act across the shoulder and hip joints to move their corresponding limbs.
The axial skeleton of the adult...
Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy01:15

Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy

The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...

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Murine Appendectomy Model of Chronic Colitis Associated Colorectal Cancer by Precise Localization of Caecal Patch
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An infant with caudal appendage.

Jimmy Shad1, Rakesh Biswas

  • 1Department of General Surgery, People's College of Medical Sciences & Research Centre Bhopal, Bhopal, India.

BMJ Case Reports
|May 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A rare human tail, a genetic atavism, was surgically removed from an infant. This reappearance of an ancestral trait may result from the re-expression of dormant genes from our evolutionary past.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Human genetics

Background:

  • Human atavisms, such as the rare true human tail, offer insights into mammalian genetic heritage.
  • The true human tail is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly, with fewer than 40 documented cases.

Observation:

  • A case report details an 11 cm true human tail in a 3-month-old female infant.
  • The tail was successfully removed via surgical intervention.

Findings:

  • Human embryos possess a transient tail during development, typically lost through programmed cell death.
  • The reappearance of a true tail suggests the potential re-expression of evolutionarily silenced genes ('genetic blueprints').

Implications:

  • This case underscores the role of genetic memory in human development.
  • Understanding atavisms like the true human tail can illuminate evolutionary processes and genetic regulation.