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Fun Fact: Scalene

Anatomy Def:  The scalene are three muscles of each side of the neck: anterior, middle and posterior scalenes. 

Outlander Def: Neck muscles grip at the sight of a stone long dispatched to a galaxy far, far way away! How did it get around Claire’s neck?

Learn about the scalene muscles in Anatomy Lesson #12, “Claire’s Neck” or “The Ivory Tower.”  

In Greek, scalene means “uneven” because each muscle is different in length. Anterior and middle scalene muscles lift the first rib and tilt the head to the same side. Posterior scalene lifts the second rib and tilts the head to the same side. Ergo, right scalenes tilt head to the right – left scalenes, to the left. Scalenes are classified as (secondary) muscles of respiration because lifting the ribs expands the rib cage.

The artery (subclavian) and nerves (brachial plexus) to the upper limb pass between anterior and middle scalene muscles. Muscular compression of these structures can contribute to thoracic outlet syndrome, wherein the sufferer experiences some combination of pain, tingling, weakness, paleness, and/or coldness of the upper limb.

Also, the scalene area may be targeted for regional anesthesia. A nerve block to this area is the interscalene block and may be performed prior to arm or shoulder surgery

Read about the neck in Drums of Autumn. Herself describes loads of neck stuff therein. Jamie’s teeth are mighty close to the scalene muscles in this, ahem, yummy scenario:

“He narrowed one eye and squinted dubiously at me. Then he reached up, took me delicately by the ear, and drew my head down, turning my face to the side. He flicked his tongue gently at the base of my throat, then lifted his head and set his teeth very softly in the tender flesh at the side of my neck.”

See Wahkatiiosta’s right anterior scalene muscle (red arrow) as she recognizes Otter Tooth’s necklace in Starz ep 413, A Man of Worth! Her anterior scalene is clearly visible because her neck is lean with little subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissue. 

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Photo credit: Starz

 

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Fun Fact: Auricle

Anatomy def: The auricle is the visible part of an ear. 

Outlander def: Poor Father Ferigault’s missing head appendage!

Learn about the auricle and other features of the ear in Anatomy Lesson #24: Hear, Here – the Ear.

Because auricle sounds very much like oracle, these words are sometimes confused. The following may help keep them straight: we climb the mountain to seek wisdom from the oracle, but we listen to her wise words using our auricles. Got it?

The human ear is a composite of three ears: inner ear, middle ear and outer ear. Each auricle (pl. auricula) resides outside the skull and belongs to the outer ear. Middle and inner ears lie inside the skull.

Like many anatomical structures, the auricle bears more than one name. Thus, it is also known as the pinna (Latin meaning “feather” or “wing”).  Either term works for human anatomy.

Here’s a wee Fun Fact: Like our fingerprints and venous pattern, no two human auricula (pl.) are alike! Although the curved auricle bears 15+ named ridges and troughs, its collective appearance is unique to the owner.

The auricle is tasked with collecting and funneling sound waves toward the ear canal. But, recent studies reveal more: our auricula also amplify and filter sounds waves to preferentially select those in the frequency range of human speech! How awesome is that?

Humans also have three wee muscles that can move each auricle, although our abilities to do so vary greatly. Just compare our ear wiggling with some amazing mammals who can turn their auricula 180 degrees or even one at a time to collect, modulate and funnel sounds waves. We be whimps. <G>

Try This: Ask someone to take a photo of your auricle, then compare with that of another person. Check overall size, earlobe shape, earlobe attachment, ridges and valleys. They will likely be quite different.

Read about the Father’s grizzly wound in big book four, “Drums of Autumn.”  Diana’s description is truly riveting!

Alexandre stirred and moaned. Roger came quickly and knelt by him. He could smell fresh blood, a hot-copper smell he recognized from the slaughtering of the moose. 

“Are you hurt? What have they done?”

The answer to that was quick in coming. He turned the half-conscious priest over, to see blood streaming over face and neck in a shiny red glaze. He snatched the priest’s discarded robe to stanch the wound, pushed back the matted blond hair, and found that the priest’s right ear was missing. Something sharp had taken a patch of skin some three inches square from just behind the jaw, removing both ear and a section of scalp.

See Father Alexandre’s shocking wound sans auricle in Starz ep. 412, Providence. The good Father’s convincing whimpers and moans create a deeply moving scene. Help! Providence needed here! 

The deeply grateful, Outlander Anatomist

Photo credit: Starz

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Fun Fact: Calcaneus

Anatomy Def: Calcaneus, largest of the foot bones (red arrow), forms the heel.

Outlander Def: Rollos’s grisly munch-brunch!

Learn about the calcaneus in Anatomy Lesson #59, Complete Feet. 

Calcaneus is the largest of 7 irregularly-shaped tarsal bones of the foot skeleton. It forms the heel of foot and in profile resembles a pistol grip. It serves us well by performing the following:

  • provides attachment for the Achilles’ (calcaneal) tendon (via posterior tubercle)
  • one of the most important weight-bearing bones of body
  • provides attachment for foot ligaments and 9 muscles (3 via Achilles’ tendon)
  • provides leverage for tendon of long flexor of great toe (flexor hallucus longus) to improve spring (as in jumping)

A fracture of the calcaneus also goes by the odd names, lover’s fracture or Don Juan fracture. Here, a person falls from a great height and lands on the heels, crushing the calcaneus under the body’s weight. Just imagine a cheating wife’s lover jumping from a bedroom window to escape an enraged spouse – hence, the name. Run!

Read about heels in Diana’s splendid tome, Drums of Autumn. This excellent scene at River Run, (which has yet to appear in TV Outlander S4) describes Jamie doing a heel pirouette in his plaid for his wife (who else?)! He whirls on his calcaneus. Yay!

He hadn’t worn the kilt since Culloden, but his body had not forgotten the way of it.

“Oh!” I said.

He saw me then, and white teeth flashed as he made me a leg, silver shoe-buckles gleaming. He straightened and turned on his heel to set his plaid swinging, then came down slowly, eyes fixed on my face. 

For a moment, I saw him as he had looked the morning I married him. The sett of his tartan was nearly the same now as then; black check on a crimson ground, plaid caught at his shoulder with a silver brooch, dipping to the calf of a neat, stockinged leg.

See Ian grip what is left of right leg and foot from Roger’s unfortunate fellow traveler in Starz ep 411, If Not for Hope. Look closely – a severed Achille’s tendon dangles from the calcaneus. Fabulous!

Rollo, what have ye got there? Yikes, it’s human! Bad wolf-dog! No more bedtime kisses. 😉

A deeply grateful, Outlander Anatomist

Photo credit: Starz