John Clancy

Homeostasis--the key concept to physiological control. Surgery, stress and metabolic homeostasis.

In this series of articles we have illustrated how physiological processes enable adaptation to changing situations such as those associated with surgery. Homeostasis has formed the central theme for relating physiology to well being, and the articles have largely been concerned with the homeostatic regulation of specific systems or processes within the body (a list of articles in the series is provided at the end of this one). This final article maintains the theme but is concerned with the broader, whole-body responses that occur when the body is subjected to the trauma of surgery. Some of these responses have briefly been touched upon in earlier articles, but are expanded upon here to illustrate the adaptability of metabolic homeostasis when the body has been injured.

The surgical neonate

This is the third article in the Concepts in Anatomy series, based on Physiology and Anatomy, a homeostatic approach, by John Clancy and Andrew McVicar. In this article, Stevie Boyd discusses some of the problems encountered in neonatal surgery.

Latex allergy within the perioperative area

Latex allergy is a subject which is causing concern both amongst healthcare workers and in the Department of Health, with reports that significant numbers of NHS staff may have latex hypersensitivity. With this informative article, Janet Cox joins John Clancy and Andrew McVicar to explain the mechanisms that underlie latex hypersensitivity and to make recommendations about how hospitals can deal more effectively with it. The article is based on the text, Physiology and Anatomy, a homeostatic approach, 2nd ed, John Clancy and Andrew McVicar, Arnold, London (in print September 2001).

Know your heart.

In this article in our Concepts in Anatomy series, Mriga Williams joins John Clancy and Andrew McVicar in an examination of the heart, identifying and describing its component parts, its relationship to the circulatory system and some of the abnormalities it might develop. The article includes a range of activities readers may carry out to test and improve their knowledge. The series is based on the text by John Clancy and Andrew McVicar, Physiology and Anatomy – a homeostatic approach, Arnold, London (in print September 2001).

From the outside looking in. The surgical approach.

This series of articles will draw on Physiology and Anatomy, a homeostatic approach (hereafter referred to as ‘the reader’), written by John Clancy and Andrew McVicar. There will also be cross-references to the series of articles entitled ‘Homeostasis - the key concept to physiological control’ published in the British Journal of Theatre Nursing 1996-98. The articles will include some activities which the readers can carry out to test their understanding and deepen their knowledge base of the anatomy explored in each article. The introductory article will cover the common anatomical structures involved in the ‘surgical approach’, looking first at the anatomy and then relating it to surgical practice. Homeostasis is the key underlying principle to which the surgical practice will refer.

The musculo-skeletal system. The spine.

This is the second of a series of articles based on Physiology and Anatomy, a homeostatic approach by John Clancy and Andrew McVicar. This article looks at the musculo-skeletal system, with particular emphasis on the spine. It identifies spinal deformities, injuries and maladies, and various types of surgical intervention.