Anatomy Flashcards
RCA & LMCA
Right Coronary Artery (RCA):
Primarily supplies the right side of the heart, including the right atrium and right ventricle. It also supplies the SA node (sinoatrial node) via a branch called the sinoatrial nodal artery and the AV node in most individuals.
Left Main Coronary Artery (LMCA):
This artery branches into two major arteries: the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the circumflex artery. The LAD artery supplies the anterior wall and septum of the left ventricle, while the circumflex artery supplies the lateral and posterior walls of the left ventricle.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
arises from a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that lead to tendon damage and inflammation.
Intrinsic Factors:
These factors relate to changes within the tendon tissue itself.
Degeneration: Tendon tissue can lose its structural integrity over time, becoming weakened and more susceptible to injury.
Alterations in Collagen: The collagen fibers that make up tendons can become disorganized or weakened, reducing their strength and flexibility.
Changes in Vascularity: Tendon blood supply can be altered, affecting healing and making the tendon more vulnerable.
Extrinsic Factors:
These factors involve external forces and structures that compress or irritate the tendons.
Impingement: When structures like the acromion or coracoacromial ligament press on the rotator cuff tendons, it can cause friction and inflammation.
Overuse: Repetitive overhead movements or heavy lifting can strain the tendons and lead to micro-tears and inflammation.
Muscle Imbalances
impingement syndrome
occurs when soft tissues in the shoulder joint, particularly the rotator cuff tendons, become compressed or trapped between the humerus (upper arm bone) and the acromion (part of the shoulder blade). This narrowing of the space, called the subacromial space, leads to irritation and pain, especially with overhead movements.
adhesive capsulitis
the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint, a strong connective tissue, becomes thickened, inflamed, and tight. This thickening and inflammation cause the shoulder joint to stiffen, leading to pain and limited range of motion.
Ulnar nerve radiculopathy
refers to nerve damage or irritation affecting the ulnar nerve, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. It’s often caused by compression or irritation of the nerve, most commonly at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome) or wrist (Guyon’s canal syndrome).
C6 radiculopathy
a form of cervical radiculopathy, affects the C6 nerve root, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand, specifically impacting the area around the thumb and index finger. It’s often linked to conditions like disc herniation or degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
