Anatomy and Physiology - Bit by Bit

This episode covers the anatomy of skin and its general functions, including the cells and layers of the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. I also discuss the anatomical and physiological basis for skin color.

Episode 98 is about longevity with my guest, Dr. Brent Ridge, MD. Dr. Ridge is a physician trained in geriatrics and has spent his career thinking about how we age and how we can age better. Harvard researchers with the American Federation of Aging research found that the biggest influences on longevity are optimism, mindset, and social connections with other people, not genetics. Dr. Ridge and his husband are the founders of Beekman 1802, a skin health company using goat milk from their farm in upstate New York.

Episode 97 covers athletic training and ACL tears with my guest, Kayla Parker, MS, ATC, LAT, a certified athletic trainer and Sports Medicine Market Director with CommonSpirit Health in Denver, Colorado. Kayla works with the Denver Summit FC Professional Women’s Soccer Team and the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. We discussed the root of the ACL epidemic, the 3:1 Training Law, and the static stretching flaw. The knee is the most complex joint in the body, and ACL tears are common and can be catastrophic to an athlete’s season and possibly even career. I have posted images on Instagram that will help you follow along.

Episode 96 covers genes and Genetic Counseling with Dr. Caralynn Wilczewski. Dr. Wilczewski earned her PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master’s degree in Genetic Counseling through the joint program at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Wilczewski is a genetic counselor and Chief Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellow at the National Human Genome Research Institute within the National Institutes of Health.

Episode 95 is about fascia and myofascial release therapy, a form of manual therapy that uses sustained, carefully directed pressure and stretching techniques intended to improve the mobility of the fascia and surrounding soft tissues.

Episode 94 focuses on prostate cancer. Other than skin cancer, it is the most common cancer for biological males. In this episode, I discuss prostate cancer and other urologic cancers with Dr. Alexander Kutikov, MD, of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Kutikov, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, is a surgical oncologist and the chair of urology at Fox Chase, one of the premier cancer centers in the United States.

Episode 93 covers the genetic connective tissue disorders called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). My guest is a doctor of occupational therapy and a person living with EDS. Dr. Janine Rajauski is also a professor of anatomy & physiology, a death doula, and she runs a foundation in memory of a loved one who was the victim of domestic violence. We talked about all of these topics and much more.

Episode 92 covers the autoimmune disease Multiple Sclerosis. My guest, Selena Buongiorno, is a certified physician assistant practicing functional and lifestyle medicine, an MS researcher, and host of the “MSWired Podcast,” which is about multiple sclerosis and other chronic conditions.

Episode 91 covers the basics of autoimmune disease with special guest Dr. Alexis Barbut. Dr. Alexis is a double board-certified rheumatologist with a clinical focus on reproductive rheumatology, women’s health, and autoimmune disease. We talked about the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options of autoimmune disease in general. We also touch on some of the more common ones, like multiple sclerosis, lupus, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Sjogren’s disease. You can find Dr. Alexis on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, where she shares important and engaging information on health and scientific literacy.

Episode 90 covers the third leading cause of death in the world: stroke. Stroke goes hand-in-hand with cerebrovascular disease and aneurysm, so I put it all together in this episode. We talk about what a stroke is, the different kinds, the risk factors, how they happen, diagnosis, treatment, and more. This episode is essential for any practicing or aspiring healthcare professional.

Episode 89 covers two of the most common neurological diseases of aging, Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. I know it sounds odd without the possessive, but that's the standard when it's written. These diseases are often reduced to "dementia" and "tremors," but there is so much more to their mechanisms, signs, symptoms, findings, treatments, and prognoses. We discuss the anatomical background needed to understand these diseases and their clinical significance.

For this episode, I am joined by Dr. Anusha Viswanathan, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist. Dr. Viswanathan and I discuss bacteria, viruses, signs & symptoms, fevers, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, vaccines, vaccine hesitancy & denial, and Anusha’s own podcast with Diana Leygerman, “Everyone Deserves Sunshine,” which is about the HBO Max show, Heated Rivalry. Outbreaks of diseases that have been under control for decades are popping up all over the United States because of vaccine hesitancy. Dr. Anusha explains the scientific legitimacy of vaccines and why this poses a danger to public health.

Episode 87 is all about the 3rd most common cause of death in the United States: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Joining me to discuss this extremely important clinical topic is Philadelphia-area interventional pulmonologist Dr. Nina Maouelainin. Dr. Nina is the founder of Lung Health Services and the Women in Interventional Pulmonology organization. We discussed what COPD is, the causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis. It is the perfect clinical application of the respiratory system.

This is ANOTHER bonus mid-week episode at the request of a listener! Mykenzie from Minnesota asked for an episode on joints, and that is what you’re all going to get. In fact, you’re getting TWO episodes on joints because it’s just too much information for one! Joints (Part 2) focuses on synovial joints. I discuss the angular movements that take place at joints and the most clinically significant synovial joints in the human body, including their structure, function, and the common injuries that harm them. Thanks again, Mykenzie, for reaching out!

This episode is all about the disease of obesity, its related illnesses, and treatments, such as GLP-1 agonists, like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Monjaro. My guest, Dr. Angela Fitch, M.D. is an obesity medicine specialist who is the co-founder and chief medical officer of knownwell, a medical clinic that specializes in judgement-free, evidence-based weight management and weight-inclusive primary care.

This is a bonus mid-week episode at the request of a listener! Mykenzie from Minnesota asked for an episode on joints, and that is what you’re all going to get. In fact, you’re getting TWO episodes on joints because it’s just too much information for one! Joints (Part 1) covers the basics of arthrology, basic anatomy, classes of joints, lever systems, and range of motion. Thanks, Mykenzie, for reaching out!

This episode asks the important and broad question, “What is Cancer?” To answer it, I spoke with Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD. Dr. Kestner has a PhD in Neuroscience, with a focus on immunology and oncology. We discuss the cellular basis of cancer, signs & symptoms, types, risk factors, causes, treatments, and more. Basically, the nuts and bolts of cancer. You can find Dr. Kestner on Instagram, Substack, TikTok, Medium, YouTube and LinkedIn.

This episode covers one of the most common diseases in the world, diabetes mellitus. Most people know someone with diabetes, whether it’s type 1 or type 2. We discuss exactly what diabetes mellitus is, the difference between type 1 & 2, the causes, risk factors, signs & symptoms, lab findings, exam findings, complications, treatments, prognoses, and more. It is the 7th leading cause of death in the US and 8th in the world, costing over $1 trillion per year in healthcare costs.

This episode covers the number 1 cause of death in the history of the human race, coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease. It’s also known as ischemic heart disease. It is still the leading cause of death in the world. Listen in to find out exactly what it is. Among other things, we discuss its causes, risk factors, signs, symptoms, exam findings, lab findings, treatments, and prognoses. Just about everyone knows someone with coronary artery disease and just about all of us will have some degree of it if we’re lucky enough to live that long.

This is a REBOOT of episode 5. I have added more pertinent content that you are probably going to need in A&P. This reboot is an in-depth look at the cytoplasm of a human cell. We discuss organelles, inclusions, cytosol, the cytoskeleton, glycolysis, anaerobic fermentation, aerobic respiration, and a little bit about the nucleus.

Anatomy & Physiology: Bit by Bit is shifting gears! Now that most of the content covered in a typical A&P course has been covered, it's time to move toward CLINICAL APPLICATION. Each episode will now focus on specific diseases, conditions, and injuries. Being able to apply the concepts in A&P to clinical scenarios is the best way to show mastery! The first clinical episode will drop on February 23rd and cover the most common cause of mortality in the world: Ischemic Heart Disease. Join me on this journey to understanding human health and disease.

This episode discusses the important topic of membrane transport, which is how water, solutes, ions, metabolic waste, and other materials enter and exit the cell across its plasma membrane. Diffusion and osmosis, passive and active transport, you name it. This is one of the most important concepts in cellular physiology.

This episode introduces the cell and discusses the plasma membrane in detail. This includes the phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, and membrane proteins. Since it was first released in 2019, I have added some content and improved the audio quality. Check it out for a much-needed review!

This Bonus Holiday Episode is all about how your body reacts and adjusts to all the happenings of a typical Christmas Day, for those who observe. It may also apply to Hanukkah, American Thanksgiving, or any other gathering of friends and family around a dinner table. I hope you enjoy this fun take on the holidays and how they relate to anatomy & physiology. Happy Holidays to all, and I wish you all a wonderful New Year!

This BONUS episode is a beefed-up version of my original Episode #2. I have tightened up the quality of the recording and added more content. Episode 2 now covers the 6 essential characteristics of living things and the principles of homeostasis. Homeostasis is the way our bodies maintain a consistent internal environment despite living in an inconsistent external environment. Negative and positive feedback systems are explained and discussed, with many clinical examples provided.

This BONUS Episode is a reboot of Episode 1 from back in 2019. I have re-recorded some of it for better audio quality and added more content than existed in the originally aired episode. The basis for Human Anatomy & Physiology is how the body is organized and the anatomical terminology we use to discuss it. I recommend listening to this episode and then going all the way back to Episode 2 and advancing from there.

The goal of episode 80 is to explain the process of evolution and natural selection through the lens of the scientific method. If you’re not sure exactly what evolution is or how it works, this episode is for you. If you are doubtful of the existence of evolution, this episode is also for you!

Episode 79 covers Genetics and Heredity for A&P. This is an accessible discussion of genetics for anyone interested in a general overview of genes and heredity. Almost every A&P text will cover some level of genetics, which is essential for understanding the basis of many diseases. I discuss chromosomes, dominance, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, epigenetics, and more.

This episode covers the physiology of exercise. What happens to our body when we are exercising and what happens after? How do different kinds of exercise change our response? Who should do what? Why is it good for us? All these questions are answered. I also speak with personal trainer April Hattori of yes2next. Yes2Next is a very popular YouTube channel with hundreds of exercise instruction videos for people of all ages. April is also on Instagram, TikTok, has a blog, and a podcast. I highly recommend checking April out in all the ways!

Episode 77 is the second half of my coverage of aging and senescence. We talk about the effect of aging on the immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems. I also answer a listener question about anti-aging and what we can do to prevent senescence.

Episode 76 is Part 1 of Aging and Senescence. We discuss what happens to our body systems, one at a time, during the aging process. We cover osteoporosis, vision loss, skin changes, muscle atrophy, the slowing of nerve conduction velocity, and the dampening of our senses.

Episode 75 covers the most common complications in pregnancy as well as the neonatal period for a newborn. I discuss gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, C-sections, the neonate’s adjustments to the outside world, and common challenges and birth defects. I also talk with Dr. Julia Helstrom of Bucks County Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Helstrom provides a clear explanation of what integrative and functional medicine are, as well as the differences between a D.O. and an M.D. To learn more about Dr. Helstrom’s practice, you can check out her website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

Episode 74 covers the changes to an expectant birth-mother’s body during pregnancy and the process of childbirth. I also talked with Michelle Shaw, president of life-sized learning and inventor of anatomical cheatsheets, a very cool product that is helping students around the world learn and retain anatomy. You can find and check out anatomical cheatsheets at lifesizedlearning.com and on their Instagram account.

Episode 73 continues embryology with organogenesis and fetal development. I also share my conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Christy Kestner, PhD. We talk about neuroscience, immunity, vaccines, cancer, and her new Instagram series about neuroscience.

Episode 72 begins our discussion of human development with fertilization and embryogenesis. It also includes my conversation with award-winning, best-selling author Sam Kean.

Episode 71 covers the formation egg cells, the sexual cycle of biological females (ovarian cycle & menstrual cycle), and how birth control pills work. I also welcome Dr. Ana Paula Benaduce of Florida International University in Miami, FL.

Episode 70 begins our discussion of the female reproductive system. We cover gross anatomy, histology, puberty, and menopause. We also discuss cervical cancer and hormone replacement therapy.

Episode 69 covers the anatomy and physiology of the biological male’s reproductive system. Internal and external anatomy, spermatogenesis, puberty, hormone regulation, etc.

Episode 68 begins our discussion of the reproductive systems, starting with the basics of sexual reproduction, meiosis, sex, gender, and the biological development of male and female organs and characteristics. You will also hear my conversation with Dr. Kevin Patton.

Episode 67 finishes the discussion of metabolism with the specifics of lipid and protein metabolism, metabolic states, and metabolic rate. We also discuss body temperature and thermoregulation.

Episode 66 begins our discussion of metabolism. I cover the general concept and carbohydrate metabolism specifically. Special thanks to Brittany for asking me question about the food pyramid and dietary recommendations in the US.

Episode 65 finishes our discussion of nutrition with vitamin and mineral deficiencies and toxicities, their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Today’s episode continues our discussion of nutrition, covering serum lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. I also had the pleasure of talking with Dr. David Kaufman, professor of neurology at Michigan State University and former sideline neurologist for Michigan State Football.

Episode 63 begins my discussion of nutrition. I cover the general introduction to what nutrition is as well as the difference between macronutrients and micronutrients. I also cover carbohydrates and start to talk about fats.

This episode covers the large intestine, intestinal motility, and blood supply. Kat & Maria from Sharpen discuss McGraw-Hill's college study app.

In this episode, we continue on with the digestive system, discussing the small intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and chemical digestion. I also share my conversation with Dr. Jessica Knurick, a registered dietitian with a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science. Dr. Knurick has over 1,000,000 followers on Instagram, where she refutes the rampant disinformation about health and public policy on social media.

This episode covers the stomach. Gross anatomy, histology, motility, secretion, etc. I also had the pleasure of talking with TikTok and Instagram's @my.anatomy.teacher. Dr. Jill is the best at finding memory hacks that help students perform better on exams.

This episode begins the digestive system by covering the functions, general anatomy and histology, the mouth, esophagus, and swallowing. I also discuss autoimmune diseases in response to several listener questions.

This episode covers adaptive immunity. This includes cellular immunity and humoral immunity. It's the reason you don't get chicken pox twice and why vaccines protect us from disease.

Episode 57 continues with the immune system, specifically the 2nd Line of Defense. That includes leukocytes, antimicrobial proteins, inflammation, and fever.