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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The thyroid is the body's largest endocrine gland and is located anterior and lateral to the trachea and inferior to the larynx. One of the functions of the thyroid is to secrete thyroid hormone, which increases metabolic rate by increasing respiratory rate, increasing heart rate, accelerating breakdown of food for fuel, and increasing heat production. The thyroid hormone interacts with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in a negative feedback loop to affect metabolic rate. Low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood cause the hypothalamus to release thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones triiodothyronine, or T3, and thyroxine, or T4, into the bloodstream to affect cells throughout the body. The elevated levels of thyroxine in the blood are detected by the hypothalamus which stops production of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. This negative feedback loop keeps the metabolic rate from increasing too much. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which there is a chronic high level of thyroid hormone present in the blood. The most common cause is Grave's disease, an idiopathic autoimmune disorder. In this condition, B cells in the thyroid mistakenly produce thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins, which mimic the effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone and bind to the same receptor. As a result, binding these immunoglobulins stimulates the thyroid gland to continue producing thyroid hormone, which causes chronic manifestations of increased respiration, increased heart rate, called tachycardia, and increased heat production. In addition, the thyroid gland increases in size, resulting in a condition called thyroid hypertrophy or a goiter. Three common treatments of hyperthyroidism reduce circulating thyroid hormone. Antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil and methimazole suppress the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Surgical removal of thyroid tissue can reduce the amount of secreted thyroid hormone. Oral ingestion of radioactive iodine destroys thyroid tissue, resulting in decreased secretion of thyroid hormone. ♪ [music] ♪
"This past year, your company prepared three medical illustrations for our cases; two in which we received six figure awards; one in which we received a substantial seven figure award. I believe in large part, the amounts obtained were due to the vivid illustrations of my clients' injuries and the impact on the finder of fact."
Donald W. Marcari
Marcari Russotto & Spencer, P.C.
Chesapeake, VA
"There is nothing like a great graphic depicting the real nature and
extent of a victim's injuries to get full value for your client. I use
Medical Legal Art for mediations as well as trial."
Geoff Wells
Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler
Santa Monica, CA
"Medical Legal Art has always performed quality and efficient work. The
doctors that review the exhibits are always amazed at the precise
descriptions and drawings."
Michael Beckman
Viles Law Firm, P.A.
Fort Meyers, FL
"Medical illustrations are essential during trial for any medical malpractice case. The people at MLA have the uncanny ability of creating medical illustrations that simplify the most complex of medical concepts and human anatomy to a lay audience. The exhibits of MLA allow experts to easily describe complex concepts and human anatomy in a manner that could
not be done otherwise.
In addition, their custom illustrations show in great detail the extent of
injuries suffered and the devastating effects they have had on the client's
anatomy. These custom illustration can show, side by side, the body before
and after a catastrophic injury. The effect of this juxtaposition is
unmatched by any testimony that can be adduced at the time of trial.
Even jurors after trial have commented on the ease with which they grasp
medical concepts and anatomy once the MLA exhibits were introduced and
used by my experts. Even judges who have "seen it all" are thoroughly
impressed by the detail and sophistication of the illustrations.
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.