PT3 - Introduction To Concepts

Question 1

What is structure?

Answer 1

• arrangement/organisation of parts to form higher level structures e.g. atomic => molecular => cellular => tissue => organ => organismic => population => ecosystem level

Question 2

What is function?

Answer 2

• describes what something does
• NOT it’s purpose
• what an organ, tissue, cell or molecule does

Question 3

What is the relationship between structure and function?

Answer 3

• structures adapt to fulfill the functions required by the environment
• following trauma/aging structure may no longer be able to support normal function => further structural changes e.g. OA of hip

Question 4

What is agency?

Answer 4

• capacity of an actor/person to act in given environment

Question 5

What is adaptation?

Answer 5

• adjustment or change in behaviour, physiology and structure of an organism to become more suited to their environment

Question 6

What is maladaption?

Answer 6

• a response that is (or has become) more harmful than helpful

Question 7

What is interdependence?

Answer 7

• seemingly unrelated impairments in a remote anatomical region may contribute to/be associated with patient primary complaint

Question 8

Mr Smith is a 48 year old accountant who spends long hours working at a computer and had done for 25 years. He used to enjoy playing tennis when he was younger and has recently decided to return to playing on Sunday mornings at his local club. He comes to see you without any pain, but to see what your advice is for him to avoid getting injured when he starts playing.

How does your understanding of adaptation and maladaption inform the advice you give him?

Question 9

What are symptoms?

Answer 9

• any indication of disease perceived by patient

Question 10

What is health?

Answer 10

• state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely a sense of disease

Question 11

A few weeks after your initial consultation with Mr Smith, he’s returned with some low back discomfort towards the end of his tennis sessions. Although his symptoms are very mild he has decided to stop playing tennis due to fear of making things worse.

Discuss the relationship between health, symptoms and agency in relation to Mr Smith and what advice and explanation you might give him with this in mind

Question 12

Compare and contrast the concepts of adaption and maladaption giving an example

Answer 12

• adaption occurs when structures, organisms adopt a more appropriate position to enable better function for their environment
• maladaption occurs when structures are no longer able to respond to the demand placed on them, resulting in harmful or ineffective function to their environment