In a dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the vessel causes blood to flow between the layers and form a false lumen. Depicted here is a type A aortic dissection - a dissection occurring in the ascending aorta.

3D illustration of the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) protein within the cell membrane, showing how GLUT1 undergoes a conformational change upon glucose binding. This change allows glucose to be released into the cell, moving naturally down its concentration gradient.

Diagram of the structure of DNA, including the major groove, minor groove, sugar phosphate backbone, and base pairs of adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine.

Editorial illustration depicting eczema of the foot. This illustration originally accompanied a writer’s description of life with this condition, published in Esopus Magazine.

Cross section anatomy of the eye, including the optic nerve, fovea, sclera, choroid, retina, lens, zonular fibers, pupil, cornea, pars plicata, and pars plana.

Illustration detailing the major regions of the brain, including the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, and cerebellum.

Illustration showing the anatomy of the anterior heart, including the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary vessels, and coronary vessels.

Cross section of the heart with arrows showing the path that blood flows through the vena cava, right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, left atrium, left ventricle, and aorta.

Illustration depicting the anatomy a pair of kidneys, including the ureter, and a cross-section showing the renal pelvis, renal cortex, renal medulla, major calyx, and minor calyx.

Diagram showing the three component model of force transmission in muscles, including the parallel elastic component (PEC), series elastic component (SEC), and contractile component (CE). The contractile element is further made up of sarcomeres containing the microfilaments actin and myosin, while titin is an element of the series elastic component.

Diagram comparing the compression of the three component of force transmission in a biceps brachii muscle in long and short muscle length positions.

Infographic depicting the four stages of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in individuals with a history of repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI). Changes as the disease progresses includes a buildup of tau proteins, brain atrophy, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Also outlined are the prevention and return to play guidelines recommended for individuals that have experienced a traumatic brain injury.

Illustration depicting the anterior anatomy of the glenohumeral joint, including the humerus, clavicle, scapula, coracoacromial ligament, acromioclavicular ligament, coracoclavicular ligament, trapezoid ligament, and conoid ligament.

3D illustration depicting erythrocytes (red blood cells) within a vessel.

Anatomy of the blood supply to the stomach and duodenum, originating from the celiac trunk and abdominal aorta. Branches include the left gastric artery, esophageal branch, splenic artery, short gastric arteries, left gastro-omental artery, common hepatic artery, hepatic artery proper, right gastric artery, gastroduodenal artery, right gastro-omental artery, and the superior mesenteric artery.

3D illustration of an aquaporin protein embedded in a cell membrane

Line illustrations showing the structure of several common surgical instruments, including a retractor, hemostat, and a gloved hand with scissors.

Editorial illustration, originally appearing the Fall 2014 issue of the Northwestern Public Health Review, showing the typhoid outbreak in Chicago leading up to the 1893 World’s Fair

3D illustration depicting bacterial conjugation in Escherichia coli (E. coli).

3D character design illustrating an evil octopus

3D illustration of a stomach with a hiatal hernia, in which the upper part of the stomach pushes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm.