TeachableMedicalNews article 12182021
Teachable moment in classrooms:
- nervous system chapter – neurons in sensory and motor nerves
- nervous system chapter – axons as extensions of neurons
- nervous system chapter – Schwann cells insulate axons, and create neurilemma
The news item: Recently this report was published about a patient who received a double hand transplant:
First child to receive double hand transplant is thriving
At just 8 years old, Zion Harvey received two new hands, a surgery that has changed his life. According to previous reporting, the boy needed an amputation of both hands and feet when he was younge…
The article states that the patient received the transplant in 2015. The original hands of the recipient were amputated because of a spreading infection. The patient still receives ongoing physical therapy.
So, Why Do I Care?? Because successful hand transplants are examples of the regeneration of the nervous system, medical technology and treatments worked out for hand transplants may be helpful to stroke patients, or patients with physical trauma of the central nervous system where natural regeneration is very poor.
Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what is the major challenge with hand transplants. At first look it seems that all a successful hand transplant needs is the meticulous surgical connection of blood