[Emely Veliz]

The alveoli are parts of our respiratoy system, they are important because they are where the exchange of gases happens. The Alveoli are tiny air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles inside the lungs. Their jobs is help the body receive oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
When we breathe in, air travels through the nose or mouth, then down the trachea, into the bronchi, bronchioles, and finally reaches the alveoli. Inside the alveoli, ocygen from the air passes through their thin walls and wnters the bloodstream. The blood then carries this ocygen to the rest of the body. Oxygen is necessary because our cells need it to make energy and function properly. At the same time, the alveoli help remove carbon dioxide from the body, carbon dioxide is a waste gas that is produced by the cells. The blood brings carbon dioxide back to the lungs and moves it from the blood to the alveoli, Then when we breathe out, the carbon dioxide leaves our body. The alveoli are designes to make gas exchange easier. They have very thin walls and are surrounded by many tiny blood vassels calles capillaries, allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide to move quickly between the lungs and the blood. There are milions of alveoli in our lungs.
Therefore the alveoli are essential for breathing and suvirval, they allow oxygen to enter the blood and carbon dioxide to leave the body. without them our body would not get enough oxygen.

[Emely Veliz]

As already mentioned, the skin is the largest organ of the body, the role of the skin is protecting us everyday. The skin is made of different layers and each on has their own funtion. These layers are: epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis, which is also called the subcutaneous layer.
The part of the skin that we can see, which is the outer laye, is the epidermis. Its main job is to act like the barrier between the body and the outside enviroment. It also helps the body keep water inside, so we do not lose too mucho moisture. Also it is important to know that this layer is constatly making new skin cells; the old cells move to the surface and fall off naturally.
The second layer is the dermis, this layer is under the epidermis and is thicker. This layer constains blood vassels, nerves, sweat glands, oil glands and hair follicles.
The deepest layer is the hypodermis, this one is made of fat and connective tissue, its job is to store energy, protect the body from injury, and help keelp the body warm. Also is important to know that this layer of the skin connects the skin to the muscles and tissues under it. In conclusion, we have three layer of the skin that work together that protect our body, controls temperature and helps the body´s health.

[Emely Veliz]

The pituitary gland is one of the most important parts of the endocrine system. It is a tiny gland found at the bottom of the brain, but its job is much bigger than its size. The pituitary gland works closely with the hypothalamus, which helps tell it when to release certain hormones. These hormones travel through the bloodstream and give instructions to different organs and glands in the body.
One reason the pituitary gland is so important is because it helps the body stay balanced. This balance is called homeostasis. For example, the pituitary gland helps control body growth, water levels, stress response, and reproductive functions. It releases growth hormone, which is important for normal development in children and for healthy tissues in adults. It also releases antidiuretic hormone, which helps the kidneys control how much water the body keeps or removes through urine.

The pituitary gland also has an important connection with the thyroid and adrenal glands. It sends signals that help the thyroid control metabolism, which affects energy and how the body uses food. It also helps the adrenal glands respond to stress by influencing hormones like cortisol. Because of this, the pituitary gland affects how a person feels physically and even how the body reacts during stressful situations.

Another important role of the pituitary gland is reproduction. Some of its hormones help control ovulation, menstrual cycles, sperm production, and other reproductive processes. It also helps with milk production after childbirth.

If the pituitary gland makes too much or too little of a hormone, the body can be affected in many ways. A person may have growth problems, tiredness, fertility issues, changes in weight, or problems with water balance. For this reason, the pituitary gland is small but powerful. It helps coordinate many body systems and keeps the body functioning in a healthy way.

[Emely Veliz]

The male and female reproductive systems are not the same because each one has a special job in reproduction. Even though they are different, both systems are needed for a pregnancy to happen. The male reproductive system mainly makes sperm and moves it out of the body. Sperm is the male sex cell, and it is produced in the testes. The testes also produce testosterone, which helps with male body changes such as facial hair, a deeper voice, and muscle development. After sperm is made, it moves through tubes like the epididymis and vas deferens. Then it mixes with fluids from glands, such as the prostate gland and seminal vesicles, to become semen.
The female reproductive system has a different job because it produces eggs and can support a baby during pregnancy. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help control the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy. Usually, one egg is released during ovulation. The egg travels through the fallopian tube, and this is where fertilization can happen if sperm meets the egg. If the fertilized egg reaches the uterus, it can attach to the lining and begin to grow. The uterus is a very important organ because it protects and supports the baby until birth.
One big difference is that males can produce sperm every day after puberty, but females are born with a limited number of eggs.

In conclusion, both reproductive systems have different organs and functions, but they work together. The male system provides sperm, and the female system provides the egg and the place for a baby to develop. Both are important for human reproduction and health.

[Emely Veliz]

Hi Maria, your post was very clear and organized. I liked that you included the nodes of Ranvier because sometimes people forget about that part. I agree that those small gaps are important because they help the signal travel faster through the neuron.

[Emely Veliz]

A nerve cell, is one of the most important cells in the nervous system because it helps send information through the body. Neurons allow us to move, feel, think, remember, and react to things around us. A neuron has different parts, and each part has a special function.
The dendrites are small branches that receive signals from other neurons. They are important because they are usually the first part of the neuron to get the message, after that, the message moves toward the cell body, also called the soma. The soma keeps the neuron alive and healthy. It contains many important structures that help the cell make energy and proteins.
Inside the soma is the nucleus. The nucleus is important because it has the DNA of the cell. It gives instructions for how the neuron should work and helps control the activities of the cell. Another important part is the axon. The axon is like a pathway that carries the electrical message away from the cell body. This is how the neuron sends information to another neuron, a muscle, or a gland.

Some axons are covered by a myelin sheath. The myelin sheath works like insulation around the axon. It helps the signal travel faster and also protects the nerve fiber. The small spaces between the myelin are called nodes of Ranvier. These gaps are important because they help the electrical signal jump along the axon more quickly.

At the end of the neuron are the axon terminals. These terminals release neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers. These chemicals cross a tiny space called the synapse and pass the message to the next cell. Every part of the neuron works together, and if one part is damaged, communication in the body can be affected.

[Emely Veliz]

The human body has many important blood vessels, but arteries and veins have different jobs. An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. Most arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the body, because the cells need oxygen and nutrients to work correctly. Arteries have thicker and stronger walls because the blood moves with more pressure when it leaves the heart. One exception is the pulmonary artery, because it carries blood without oxygen from the heart to the lungs.

Veins are different because they carry blood back to the heart. Most veins carry blood that has less oxygen because the body already used it. Veins usually have thinner walls than arteries, and the blood pressure inside them is lower. Many veins also have valves, which help the blood move in the correct direction and stop it from flowing backward. An exception is the pulmonary vein, because it carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart.
The four chambers of the heart are also very important because they help blood move in an organized way. The right atrium receives blood from the body that needs oxygen. Then the blood goes to the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide. After that, the oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium. Then it moves to the left ventricle, which is the strongest chamber because it pumps blood to the whole body. Without these four chambers working together, the body would not get enough oxygen. The chambers also help keep oxygen-rich blood and oxygen-poor blood separated. This makes circulation more efficient and helps organs like the brain, muscles, kidneys, and lungs do their job. In my opinion, the heart is like a pump with different rooms, and each room has a special purpose to keep us alive and healthy.

[Emely Veliz]

After watching the video, I understood that mental retention is a skill that interpreters need to develop with practice, not something that happens automatically. The video presented different ways to improve memory, such as paying close attention to the speaker, creating pictures in the mind, not focusing only on words, connecting information with things we already know, and using notes to keep the message organized. I also learned that practicing backwards can train the brain to remember details in a stronger way. In my opinion, these strategies are very useful because interpreters must remember the meaning of what is being said before transferring it into another language. The video helped me see that good retention is not only about having a good memory, but also about listening with purpose, staying focused, and using techniques that make the information easier to recall accurately.

[Emely Veliz]

Beign an interpreter requires much more than knowing two languages. One of the most important skills is the ability to reain information while listening and processing a conversation. Without good mental retention, it can be difficult to deliver an accurate interpretation.
Several factors can negatively affect a person’s ability to retain information. For example, poor concentration can cause an interpreter to miss important details during an interaction. Anxiety or nervousness may also interfere with memory because the mind becomes focused on the pressure of the situation rather than on the message itself. Another common issue is mental fatigue. After long periods of work or study, the brain may struggle to process and store information effectively. In addition, a noisy environment can make it difficult to hear and remember what is being said.

Good mental retention is essential because interpreters often need to remember complete ideas, instructions, dates, names, and other important details before relaying them into another language. In medical, legal, or educational settings, even a small mistake can create confusion or affect important decisions. For this reason, interpreters must be able to listen carefully and hold information in their memory long enough to communicate it accurately.
Developing strong retention skills also helps interpreters feel more confident during assignments. When interpreters trust their memory, they can focus more on delivering the message naturally instead of worrying about forgetting information. Skills such as note-taking, active listening, and regular practice can help improve memory over time.

In conclusion, mental retention plays a major role in the success of an interpreter. It supports accuracy, confidence, and effective communication, all of which are necessary for providing high-quality interpreting services.

[Emely Veliz]

Medical terminology can be difficult because there are thousands of medical words, and it is impossible to memorize all of them. That is why understanding prefixed and suffixes is very important for medical interpreter. When we know the meaning of these word parts, we can often understand unfamiliar terms without having seen them before.
Patient safety is one of the most important things and understand medical terminology is part of it. If an interpreter misundestand a medical term, the patient may receive incorrect information about diagnosis, treatments or procedures. Understanding common prefixed and suffices helps prevent these errors and supports clear communication.
For example, if an interpreter knowa that suffix – ectomy means surgical removal and the prefix cadio- relates to the heart, it becomes easier to understand many medical terms used during an appoinment. In my opinion, learning prefixes and suffixed is one of the best ways to improve as a medical interpreter.

[Emely Veliz]

In my opinion, present dat legislation is helpful, but I think that it is not enough to guarantee language access for everyone. Laws such as Executive order 13166 are very important because they require organzations that receive refederal funding to provide meaninful access to people with limited englinsh proficiency (LEP). However, having a law and applying it correctly are two different things.
I currently live in Rhode Island, and I think Executive order 13166 is appliedin some areas, especially in hospitals and larger healthcare facilities. Many hospitals provide interpreter services either in person, by phone or through video interpretation. This helps patients understand their medical conditions, treatments, and appointments. As a future medical interpreter, I believe these services are very important because communication can directlt affect a patients health and safety. At the same time I have noticied that not every place provides the same level of language access. Some smaller clinics, offices, or organizations may not always have interpreters available immediately. Sometimes family members are used to interpret, which can create misunderstanding or privacy concerns. This shows that there is still room for improvement.
I believe that more training is needed so that organizations understand their responsabilities under Executive Order 13166. Also there should be stronger monitoring to make sure language access services are available when they are needed. communities of people who speak other languages besides that english continues to grow, therfore language access is becoming more important every year.

[Emely Veliz]

During an encounter a medical interpreter have many roles.The four chief roles of a medical interpreter are conduit, clarifier, cultural broker, and advocate.
The first role is the conduit role. This is the role interpreters use most of the time. The interpreter listens to what the provider says and say it exactly without adding or changing information. For example, if a doctor asks “When did the pain start?” the interpreter should interpret the question exactly and then interpret the patient’s answer the same way.
The second role is the clarifies. A patient may not understand a medical term or a provider may no underwstan something that pt said, the innterpreter can help clarify the message without changing the meaning.
The third tolde is the cultual broker. Cultural differences can sometimes affect communication ( even if they speak the same language), an interpreter may help explain a cultural belief or practice that is important for the provider to understand.
The fourth role is the advocate. This role is not used often, but it may be necessary when the patient’s well-being is at risk.
All roles are important for a medical interpreter to know, but must know when to use each role to provide acurate communication and help patients receive the best possible care.

[Emely Veliz]

A pre-session with myself as an interpreter is important because it allows me to mentally prepare, review relevant medical terminology, and remind myself of my ethical responsibilities, including accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality. It also helps me feel more confident and reduces the possibility of making errors during the interpretation. Challenges such as unfamiliar vocabulary or sensitive topics may arise during an appointment, and a pre-session can help me be better prepared to handle them professionally.A pre-session between the interpreter, the provider, and the patient can help establish expectations and create a smoother communication process. For the provider, a pre-session allows them to communicate important information about the patient’s situation, the goals of the visit, or any sensitive topics that may arise during the encounter. It also gives the interpreter an opportunity to explain how providers can work effectively with an interpreter to ensure clear communication.
When it comes to the patient, a pre-session helps them understand the interpreter’s role as a neutral communication facilitator. This can build trust and encourage them to communicate openly during the appointment.

Many problems can be avoided through a pre-session, such as misunderstandings, confusion about roles, communication barriers, and potential interpretation errors. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the many benefits that a pre-session can provide to everyone involved in the encounter. A pre-session it is not necessaty in every situation, I think it is especially valuable in complex medical appointments, mental health sessions, or discussiones involving difficult dx. Even a brief pre-session can improve communication and help ensure that both the provider and the patient fell comfortable. Good preparation often leads to better outcomes and more efficient interpretation process.

[Emely Veliz]

I believe that the main difference is that interpreters work wit spoker communicacion, while translators work with written communication. For example, if a person who only speaks spanish goes to a hospital and needs to talk to a doctor, an interpreter helps both sides understand each other during the conversation.A translator, on the other hand, would work on a written materials such as medical records, consent forms, ot patient instructions.
One of the biggest challenges for interpreters is that they have to work under pressure. They have to listen, understand, remember, and communicate the message almost immediately. Translators face a different type or challenge because they spend more time working with written texts, making sure that the meaning, tone and details of the original document are preserved in the translated version.
It is important to understand that an interpreter is not a translator, even though both professions require knowledge of two or more languages, the skills are not exactly the same.Someone may be excellent at speaking and interpreting conversations, but struggle with traslating complex written documents (myself)
We have to foment the difference between these two prefessions. Another reason why it is important to understand the difference between interpreters and translators is that each profession requires specific training. An interpreter must be able to think quickly and communicate accurately during conversations, especially in situations such as medical appointments, court hearings, or business meetings. A translator has more time to work, but must pay close attention to grammar, terminology, and cultural meaning. If people do not understand the difference between these professions, they may expect one professional to perform tasks that require a different set of skills. Both interpreters and translators play an important role in helping people communicate, and both deserve recognition for the work they do.

[Emely Veliz]

My name is Emely, and I currently live in Rhode Island. I am originally from Guatemala. I speak Spanish as my first language and English as my second language. Being able to communicate in two languages has allowed me to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and it has also provided me with many opportunities. At the beginning, learning and speaking a second language was definitely a challenge, but it has become easier over time. I believe you never stop learning when it comes to speaking a different language.

I decided to become a medical interpreter because I enjoy helping people communicate effectively. I have noticed how many individuals struggle every day to express themselves when they are not fluent in the language spoken around them, and this is especially common in the medical field. I believe communication is essential in healthcare, education, business, and many other areas of life.

As stated in the first chapter of our textbook, interpreters do more than simply translate word, they help people connect across language and cultural barriers. They also carry a great deal of responsibility, they have to demonstrate accuracy, professionalism, and strong communication skills. I look forward to developing these skills and using them to help others receive the information and support they need.
Becoming a medical interpreter will allow me to help my community and help patients feel more comfortable during medical appts. I want to ensure that lamguage barriers do not prevent people from receiving quality healthcare, and also make sure ther understand important medical information.

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