Images Dated 12th March 2004

Normal foot, X-ray

Normal foot. Coloured X-ray of a healthy human foot seen from the top (antero-posterior or dorso- plantar projection). The foot comprises 26 bones and two sesamoid bones (not seen). The toes (top) are formed from phalanx bones. There are two phalanges in the big toe, and three in the other four toes. Behind the toes are five long metatarsal bones (centre). These articulate with the five tarsal bones of the mid-foot. The mid- foot joins the hind-foot at the semi-circular joint (lower centre). The hind-foot comprises the calcaneus (heel) and the talus, which forms the pivot of the ankle with the tibia (bottom)

© DU CANE MEDICAL IMAGING LTD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Coloured TEM of unidentified enteroviruses

Enteroviruses. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a cluster of unidentified enteroviruses. The protein coat of each virus is yellow; RNA genetic material is contained inside. Around the viruses are specific antibody molecules (red). Enteroviruses belong to the Picornaviruses, a group of small (25-30 nanometres in diameter) RNA viruses with cubic symmetry. They primarily inhabit the intestine, though they are also commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of humans. Enteroviruses can be divided into three groups: polioviruses, coxsackieviruses and echoviruses

© DR LINDA STANNARD, UCT/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY