MIMIT seminar series - the human body

The Human Body as a Machine –
Professor Gus McGrouther

Anatomy describes the biological and structural study of living organisms and was the basis of medical practice where studies of disease were organ based. However dissections were challenged by the state and church, slowing down the momentum of medical change and this is similar to the genetics dilemma in modern medicine. The introduction of the Anatomy Act 1984, allowed doctor’s to legally dissect human bodies for the purpose of medical research using donated/unclaimed bodies. The history of anatomy has continually developed from Ancient Egypt papyruses, Hippocrates’ medical texts and Romans introducing better sanitation to Galen studying anatomy by animal dissections. Additionally Bernhard Siegfield Albinus devoted himself to studying anatomy, Scottish surgeons William and John Hunter made various discoveries in medicine, popular anatomy classes were run by Professor Knox followed by Charles Bell, a Scottish anatomist who carried out detailed studies of the nervous system/brain and contributed to the anatomy/physiology of facial expression.

Areas such as tendon healing and facial movement are studied by Prof McGrouther’s team. Studies have shown that tendons in the hand are not just straight cables but wrap around each other thus allowing a grip sensation. The internal structure is more complicated than first assumed and it is found that tendons glide in sheaths known as fascias. Between these fascias is a mass of loose tendrils of fibres interspersed with blood vessels which supply the tendon. This understanding may be vital in producing successful biotechnologies and explaining why tendon repairs fail. Similarly stimulation of facial movement is difficult and we need to find more quantitative methods for facial studies.

The use of laser surface scanning produces 3D casts of the face allowing measurements to be made and used in the study of facial paralysis/movement studies. Ultrasound methods can be used to produce coronal cross sections of the lips; 3D measurements in real time can become 4D scans which can be used in the clinical problem of cleft palates. Previous work has studied the fibroblast reaction to force/strain, when embedded in a gel matrix. When the gel is pulled longitudinally, the fibroblasts have a spindle shape but remain stellate when the gel is pulled in many directions. This illustrates that the structure of the body depends on mechanical forces and is affected by various factors i.e. ageing.

Prof McGrouther studies range from anatomy and cell culture to molecular biology with an emphasis placed on understanding on how physical influences affect the repair process. The current four main areas of study are; skin scars/keloid formation, inflammation/wound healing, nerve repair and tendon healing. Biological level understanding is important, as fascial structures are what hold us together. As we age our joints stiffen, which may be due to the gliding fascial layers and ageing of connective tissue needs to be explored as it may hold the key for future treatments. The importance of stem cells in the skin is a recent medical breakthrough; but poses the question of how important are they in the rest of the body suggesting that the translation of cell biology into man is still a while away.

In conclusion the best way to learn about anatomy is through cadavers and using modulated sources of information to improve our knowledge in the hope that we can use this information to provide useful solutions.