Total Abdominal Hysterectomy Incisions

Total abdominal hysterectomy refers to the complete removal of the uterus. The surgical site is accessed via an incision on the abdominal wall. The fallopian tubes (oviducts), ovaries, and adjacent structures are not included with the removal. The type of incision for abdominal access of current surgical use are: infraumbilical vertical median incision, paramedian vertical incision, or the Pfannensteil incision. The traditional infraumbilical vertical median incision, is an vertical incision running below the umbilicus towards and near the margin of pubic hair. The main advantages of this technique are: it has the least time needed to perform the procedure and it provides the most convenient access to the surgical site but offers lesser aesthetic value when the skin incision heals. The Pfanensteil incision is a slightly curved incision along the top margin of the pubic hair line. It is sometimes referred as, the "bikini cut." Although this technique is cumbersome for the surgeon due to limitations in accessing the surgical site, this is preferred by most patients because of faster healing and least formation of a incision scar.

The Importance of Chemistry as a Science

Chemistry is the study of the compositions, structures, functions, and properties of matter. It describes the interactions of chemical substances and the changes matter undergoes during any chemical reactions. Its importance as a science cannot be understated because life itself is rooted and functions on the basic fundamentals of chemistry. The different biomolecular reactions that happen inside the human body is an evidence of its prime importance. It is also worth mentioning the great technological advancements that chemisty has contributed in the field of pharmacology and drug production. Without the knowledge of chemistry we can never understand the basic functions of the human body and thereafter formulate a cure for certain diseases or pathology.

The Measures of Central Tendency

The measures of central tendency are methods used in the study of statistical data and values. The three measures of central tendency are the mean, median, and mode.

The mean is also called the "average" is the most common used measure of central tendency. It is the sum of all the given sample then divided by the number of the added samples. For example, given the sample of 3+4+6+11 = 24 divided by 4, so the mean is 6.

The median is the middle point of a given sample or distribution. For example, given the sample of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,6,6,7,7,8,8 the median is 5. A good technique to find the median is to arrange the sample from the lowest to the highest then determine the middle most number. But if the sample has even number of distribution then you have to get the average of the two middle most numbers. For example, given the sample of 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9 the two middle most numbers are 5 and 6, the average is (5+6)/2 = 5.5 Therefore, 5.5 is the median of the given sample.

The mode is the most frequently occuring value in a given sample. For example, given the sample 2,2,3,3,4,4,4,5,6,6,7,7,8,8 the most frequently occuring number is 4. This measure of central tendency is used primarily to determine the frequency distribution of values in a given sample.

What happens if you mix vinegar and baking soda?

Vinegar is chemically composed of acetic acid with a chemical structural formula of CH3COOH. Baking soda is chemically composed of sodium bicarbonate with structural formula of NaHCO3. Combination of these two distinct compound results into chemical reaction producing distinct chemical products and byproducts. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar is a chemical process starting with an acid base reaction followed by a decomposition reaction. The resulting reaction releases H+ ion, carbonic acid (H2CO3), and sodium acetate (CH3COONa). The carbonic acid immediately decomposes to water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). In summary, the combination of vinegar and baking soda produces sodium acetate, hydrogen ion gas, carbon dioxide, and water.

Ulnar Nerve Glide

• Place your arm out to your side with the wrist pulled back as if you are saying "stop"
• Bring your fingers toward your ear as if to cup the ear with the palm, fingers pointing to the shoulder. Stop when you feel a gentle tension.
• Bring your hand back out to the side until tension is relieved
• Repeat 10 times.

As an alternative:

• Hold your arm out to the side, elbow straight, fingers gently curved but not in a fist
• Rotate your arm fully until the palm is up.
• Gently tilt your head (bring opposite ear towards opposite shoulder) until you feel tension
• Straighten the neck until tension is relieved
• Repeat 10 times

Diastasis recti

Diastasis recti is a Greek terminology meaning the separation of the rectus abdominal muscles into separate right and left halves. Thus, causing an unnatural opening in the abdominal wall resulting to evisceration of the abdominal contents usually involving the intestines. This condition is apparent among pre-term newborns whose midline fusion of the abdominal wall on gestation fails to occur. In this era of greater advancement in diagnostic medicine, it is now possible with the aid of ultrasound to diagnose intrapartum this surgically correctable malformation. Another minor form of diastasis recti can occur among post-term mothers, this condition resulting from the stretching of the rectus abdominis muscles and thinning of the abbdominal wall by the growing gravid uterus. Immediate evacuation and delivery of the fetus is necessary to prevent impending maternal and fetal complications.

The Slide Gram Staining Technique

The performance of the Gram stain procedure is a standard laboratory technique to adequately visualize microscopically the organism under study. Primarily you need to have the necessary equipments and materials on hand, these are: microscope glass slides, glass cover slips, copper wire loop, Bunsen burner, solutions (crystal violet stain, Gram's iodine stain, 0.25% safranin stain, and 95% alcohol), and a dropper for each solution.

Using the Bunsen burner, heat the copper wire loop until it luminesce, allow it to cool for 2-3 minutes then get a sample of the specimen, and smear it on the microscope glass slide adequately covering the central most area. Then heat fix the smears to allow the water to evaporate, then allow it to cool.

Stain the microscope slide as follows: (1) Using a dropper, flood the microscope slide with crystal violet for one minute then pour off excess dye and wash it gently in with tap water and drain then dry the slide with a drying paper. (2) Using a dropper, flood the slide with the Gram's iodine for one minute then pour off the excess dye again wash with tap water and drain but this time do not dry with paper. (3) Using a dropper, wash with 95% alcohol for 30 seconds, to decolorize the stains, then wash with tap water and drain. (4) Finally, using a dropper, counterstain the smear with the 0.25% safranin for 30 seconds, and again wash with tap water and drain. Dry blot with paper.

You are now ready to visualize the slide under the microscope. You can appreciate the bacterial cells of its morphology, grouping, and relative sizes.

The Cranial Nerves