Like all other organisms, we humans start off as a single cell. Cells are the smallest living unit in the body and amazingly each cell performs all the functions required to perpetuate life. Although different cells types also perform various functions, virtually all cells contain the same essential parts.
“Thermography sheds light on life, pain and matter” Sandie Chambers
Our cells do not operate independently of one another. Related cells live and work together in cell communities called TISSUES.
While cells are the smallest living unit in our body, related cells will knit together to form the material of the human body. The four basic tissue types are Epithelial; found in skin, amongst other organs, Connective; as diverse as they are; bone, fat and blood are all connective tissues, Muscle; brings about most types of body movements, there are 3 types; skeletal (body movement), Cardiac (propels blood from the heart to vessels) and smooth: moves substances through related organs, e.g blood vessels-blood plasma.
Thermography can help us visualise the damage to tissue.
So why is it important to know tissue types when using #thermography? The body is dynamic, and although it has many mechanisms for protecting itself from injury and invading microorganisms it needs extra protection. When the epithelial tissue (skin layers) has been penetrated or bruised the bodies protective response is activated in the underlying connective tissue (namely: blood vessels of which there are 5 types; arteries, veins, arterioles, capillaries and venules). This brings about the inflammatory response. This response develops quickly and is the bodies immediate response to harmful stimuli. It limits the damage to the injury site. This initial response can be visualised with the use of thermography.
Almost every injury or infection will initiate an inflammatory response, from an open wound, an impact during a rugby game or blow from a football, a blocked duct, or a trip or fall.
The immediate inflammatory response is the acute phase which develops in the connective tissue and produces five symptoms, heat, swelling, pain, redness/bruising and immobility.
If we are to know where to trace the source of the injury then a clear understanding of anatomy and physiology is important. I will continue with this subject in my next post.
NOTE: It is important to mention here the immune response, by contrast, takes longer to develop and is very specific in its nature. the immune response destroys foreign molecules and microorganisms at the site of infection and throughout the body. It is not the same as inflammation.