Condition Gallery

Coloured X-ray of scoliosis (curvature) of spine

Scoliosis of the spine. Coloured X-ray showing lateral (sideways) curvature of the human spine, known as scoliosis. Here, curvature is seen among thoracic vertebrae (grey, above centre) in the region of the ribcage. The pelvis is at bottom. Scoliosis typically begins in childhood, progress- ing to an S- shaped spine until the age when growth stops. The condition may result from congenital abnormality of the spine; from polio; arthritis; or due to one leg being shorter than the other. Slight scoliosis of unknown cause may not require treatment. Progressive scoliosis may need spinal immobilization with a brace or surgery

© Princess Margaret Rose Hospital/Science Photo Library

Pinned ankle fractures, X-ray

Pinned ankle fracture. Coloured frontal X-rays of the ankle bones of a patient with an ankle fracture, before (left) and after (right) the fractures were pinned. The malleolus (bony projection at the end of a bone) of both lower leg bones have been fractured and then pinned back together. The fibula (left side of each X-ray) is the thinner of the two lower leg bones, and has had a plate as well as screws used to hold it together. The pins and plates hold the bone fragments in position while they heal. The tibia (right side of each X-ray) is the thicker of the two lower leg bones. The bones at bottom are part of the ankle bones. Staples are seen in the surrounding tissue at right, showing where the skin was stapled back together following the bone- pinning operation. This is the patient's right ankle

© Zephyr/Science Photo Library

Alzheimers disease, MRI scan

Alzheimer's disease. Coloured axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain of a 65- year-old patient with Alzheimer's disease. The front of the brain is at top in this view from below. The progression of this degenerative disease has caused atrophy in both halves of the brain, but especially at upper right and upper left (brown areas). The ventricles (centre, purple) have also been affected and are dilated from their normal size. The causes of Alzheimer's are poorly understood, but it is associated with the formation of plaques of an insoluble protein (amyloid) in the brain, and decreased levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. It is incurable, but the symptoms can be treated with drugs to raise acetylcholine levels

© Zephyr/Science Photo Library