Tourette syndrome (also called Tourette's disorder or simply, "Tourette's") is an abnormal neurological condition characterized by motor and vocal tics. Tics are involuntary, rapid, sudden repetitive movements or sounds. Tics can be classified in a variety of ways. Motor tics can affect any part of the body including the head, neck, face, arms, shoulders, hands, feet, or legs. Facial tics, especially eye blinking, are usually the first symptoms of TS. Vocal tics are sounds that are made involuntarily. Vocal tics can include clearing the throat, coughing, sniffing, grunting, yelping, or shouting. In a few cases, vocal tics can include strange, inappropriate, or obscene words and phrases (called coprolalia). Vocal tics can also appear as constantly repeating the words of others (echolalia).

The cause for TS is unknown. Early research suggested that TS is an inherited condition (often, the person's near or distant relatives have had some form of transient or chronic tic disorder or associated symptoms). Recent studies point to a combination of environmental and genetic factors as a cause of the disorder. The specific genes involved in the development of TS are still being investigated. Studies suggest that TS has a neurological basis and results from an abnormality which affects the brain's metabolism of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that regulate behavior.) Current research being funded by the Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) will help provide more information about the causes and genetic factors of TS.

Cholelithiasis involves the presence of gallstones (see the image below), which are concretions that form in the biliary tract, usually in the gallbladder. Choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of 1 or more gallstones in the common bile duct (CBD).

Duodenal atresia, also known as duodenojejunal atresia, is the congenital absence or complete closure of a portion of the lumen of the duodenum. It causes increased levels of amniotic fluid during pregnancy (polyhydramnios) and intestinal obstruction in newborn babies.

Canker sores (Aphthous ulcer) are small, painful ulcers on the inside of the mouth, tongue, lips, or throat.Canker sores are white or yellow and surrounded by a bright red area. They are not cancerous.

When you’re depressed, it can feel like you’ll never get out from under a dark shadow. However, even the most severe depression is treatable. So, if your depression is keeping you from living the life you want to, don’t hesitate to seek help. Learning about your depression treatment options will help you decide what approach is right for you. From therapy to medication to healthy lifestyle changes, there are many effective treatments that can help you overcome depression and reclaim your life.

Scientists have developed a wireless brain implant that enabled a paralyzed monkey to walk again.

The cardiac conduction system is a group of specialized cardiac muscle cells in the walls of the heart that send signals to the heart muscle causing it to contract. The main components of the cardiac conduction system are the SA node, AV node, bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.

The heart and circulatory system (also called the cardiovascular system) make up the network that delivers blood to the body's tissues. With each heartbeat, blood is sent throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen and nutrients to all of our cells.

This 3D medical animation contains the discharge instructions for removal of a Foley catheter from a man. The step-by-step procedures for emptying the Foley bag and removing the Foley catheter are shown. Symptoms requiring a follow-up call to the surgeon are listed.

Acute hemothorax due to aortic rupture in aortic dissection with lung collapse and mediastinal shift.

The brain is the most complex organ in our body. It controls everything we do, from simple things such as breathing, to complex things such as co-ordinating our movements. The brain stores our memories, allows us to think and speak, and controls how we behave

This video demonstrates a step-by-step technique for using the TFN-Advanced™ Proximal Femoral Nailing System (TFNA).

A hematoma is a common complication of surgical procedures. A large, expanding hematoma can result in necrosis of the overlying skin (1,2) or adjacent subcutaneous fat, increased incidence of infection, scarring, skin hyperpigmentation, tissue edema and a prolonged convalescence.

Grape Jelly Abscess on the Butt

Trying to survive medical school funny video

Arterial Blood Gas Sampling

Using 3D animations we have come up with a new way of demonstrating how to perform portable ultrasound examinations

A circulatory anastomosis is a connection (an anastomosis) between two blood vessels, such as between arteries (arterio-arterial anastomosis), between veins (veno-venous anastomosis) or between an artery and a vein (arterio-venous anastomosis). An end artery (or terminal artery) is an artery that is the only supply of oxygenated blood to a portion of tissue. Examples of an end artery include the splenic artery that supplies the spleen and the renal artery that supplies the kidneys.

Throughout the body, there are several points at which blood vessels unite. The junctions are termed anastomoses. In the simplest sense, an anastomosis is any connection (made surgically or occurring naturally) between tube-like structures. Naturally occurring arterial anastomoses provide an alternative blood supply to target areas in cases where the primary arterial pathway is obstructed. They are most abundant in regions of the body where the blood supply may can be easily damaged or blocked (such as the joints or intestines). This article focuses on the arterial anastomotic networks of the upper limb.