The anterior view of the sacrum and coccyx provides a fascinating glimpse into the lower spine’s intricate design, serving as a critical link between the spine and pelvis. This region supports the body’s weight, facilitates movement, and houses vital neural pathways, making it a key focus for understanding skeletal anatomy and its functional significance.
The sacrum and coccyx, located at the base of the vertebral column, form a critical foundation for the pelvis, with the sacrum arising from five fused sacral vertebrae and the coccyx from four fused coccygeal vertebrae. Featuring structures like the median and lateral sacral crests, these bones support weight transfer and pelvic stability. This article provides a detailed exploration of the sacrum and coccyx’s anatomy, physical characteristics, and functional roles, offering a comprehensive guide to their significance in human anatomy.
Discover how scientists are pushing the boundaries of personalized medicine with a groundbreaking lung-on-a-chip model. This innovative device, crafted from a single donor's cells, mimics real breathing and early infection stages, offering fresh hope for tackling tough respiratory diseases like tuberculosis. It's not just lab stuff—it's a step toward treatments tailored to your unique biology.
A 60-year-old German man has officially become the seventh person in the world to be declared "cured" of HIV. His case, detailed in a study published in the journal Nature on December 1, 2025, marks a significant turning point in virology. Perhaps most importantly, he is only the second person to achieve this feat using stem cells that were not inherently resistant to HIV.
Peroxisomes are specialized, membrane-bound organelles essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis through the metabolism of fatty acids and the detoxification of harmful chemical compounds. By facilitating the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide and supporting lipid biosynthesis, these structures protect the cell from damage and ensure the production of critical components like plasmalogens for nerve health. These organelles are dynamic and can adjust their size and enzymatic composition in response to the specific metabolic needs of the host cell.
The Golgi apparatus is a vital organelle within the eukaryotic endomembrane system, acting as the primary hub for modifying, sorting, and packaging macromolecules for secretion or delivery to other organelles. Discovered in 1898 by Camillo Golgi, this complex arrangement of flattened membrane sacs is essential for the production of functional glycoproteins and glycolipids. By facilitating intricate biochemical modifications, the Golgi apparatus ensures that the cell’s proteins and lipids are accurately directed to their final destinations, maintaining the overall health and functionality of the human body.