This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this image for other purposes, click here.
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The cell is the structural and functional unit of the body. Together, cells construct tissues, and tissues combine to form organs. A human cell contains a nucleus and specialized structures called organelles. Inside the nucleus, the cell's DNA orchestrates activities integral to the cell's survival and functions in the body. Organelles suspended in a gel-like solution known as cytosol perform specific functions to assist with the cell's tasks and maintenance. For example, ribosomes synthesize protein, and the endoplasmic reticulum assembles and transports proteins for use by the cell. Mitochondria produce energy for the cell in the form of ATP, powering activities such as movement. The plasma membrane encloses the cell and serves as a site of exchange for nutrients, a point of attachment for molecules and other cells, and a conduit for communication between cells and their surroundings. When multiple cells organize into a group, they form a tissue. There are four basic types of tissues in the body: epithelial, nervous, muscle, and connective. Epithelial tissues cover and line body structures and exhibit specialized shapes and functions. For example, in the small intestinal lining or mucosa, a single layer of cells called enterocytes absorbs nutrients through surface extensions called microvilli. Nervous tissue in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves consists of specialized cells called neurons and neuroglia, the neuron supporting cells. Inside the brain, gray matter contains neuron cell bodies and their extensions known as dendrites and various neuroglia such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. White matter contains axons which are long fibers extending away from neuron cell bodies. Axons carry chemical and electrical impulses to body tissues such as muscle. Muscle tissue is classified as smooth, cardiac, or skeletal muscle. For example, skeletal muscle fibers form whole muscles that attach to bones and move the body. Cells called myocytes containing contractile protein fibers comprise muscle. Connective tissues include bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and blood. For example, cartilage is comprised of proteoglycan molecules in a gelatinous matrix surrounding a meshwork of collagen fibrils that impart tensile strength and chondrocytes that help maintain the tissue's integrity and flexibility. Two or more tissues that work together for a common purpose form an organ. For example, in the heart, cardiac muscle tissue in the ventricles contracts and pushes blood through the connective tissue valves into vessels lined by vascular epithelial tissue called endothelium. Together, various organs make up organ systems, which work collectively to create an organism. ♪ [music] ♪
"We are extremely pleased with the quality of the medical exhibits and the
timely manner in which they were provided. I will certainly recommend
your company to my business associates who could benefit from your services.
Please tell Brian Wilson [Director of Content Development, Senior Medical
Illustrator] that he did an exceptional job on these exhibits."
K. Henderson
Dunaway and Associates
Anderson, SC
"Medical illustrations are essential evidence in personal injury litigation and MLA is simply the best I've found at producing high-quality illustrations. Your illustrators are not only first-class artists, but creative and responsive. Your turn around time is as good as it gets. My clients have won over $60 million in jury verdicts and I can't recall a case which did not include one of your exhibits. On behalf of those clients, thanks and keep up the great work!"
"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
"The Doe Report's Do-It-Yourself Exhibits program enables easy customization
of complex medical exhibits at a reasonable expense and in a timely manner.
Practically speaking, custom medical exhibits are no longer an unthinkable
luxury, but a routine necessity."
Jack S. Cohen
Levy, Angstreich, Finney, Baldante & Coren
Philadelphia, PA
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.