Tag: Anatomy Lesson #6

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Fun Fact: Supercilium

Anatomy Def: Supercilium: An eyebrow, the arch of hair above each eye.

Outlander Def: Murtaugh’s Bodacious Brows! Supersilly, huh? 😜

Learn about supercilium in Anatomy Lesson #29, The Eyes Have It! 

The eyebrow or supercilium (pl. supercilia), is a linear growth of coarse hair above the eyelashes. Generally, eyebrows mimic the shape of brow ridges of the underlying (frontal) bone.

Try this: Prove it for yourself. Slowly run your fingers over the ridge of bone above each eye socket. Likely, most of your eyebrow tracks along this bony landmark. Sometimes, the eyebrow tail will deviate (up or down) as the brow ridge disappears.

Like hair of scalp, eyelashes, beard, and nether regions, brow hair is deeply embedded in the dermis of skin, a feature clearly demonstrable when viewed in a light microscope.

This deep placement of hair is very different than, let’s say, the eyelid wherein fine hairs barely reach the surface of the skin and no further – we don’t really see them. These very fine, small hairs are known as vellus hair. Eyelashes of the eyelids are different, as mentioned above.

Further, some skin regions such as lips, palms, soles of feet, nipples, and parts of the genitalia lack any hair as it would interfere with tactile sensation in these regions.

Ever wonder what eyebrows are for? We don’t actually know but here are a few theories to ponder:

  • Wicks moisture (sweat or rain) away from eyes (Herophilos, 335-280 B.C.E.)
  • Helps protect eyes from offending objects
  • Scared predators once early hominids started sleeping on ground? 🤨

Recently, a meritorious theory has emerged that human eyebrows serve primarily as a means of communication. After we developed smooth foreheads, visible, hairy eyebrows enhanced our range of non-verbal emotions, such as concern, annoyance, anger, recognition, and sympathy.

Don’t believe it? Just take another gander at Murty’s Splendid Supercilia. These Luscious Laddies enjoy a vigorous life of their own! 😂😂😂

Fun Fact: For centuries and across many cultures, people have modified eyebrows by shaving, plucking, makeup, and ornamentation.  This has been going on for a very looong time. Yep, it isna just us! 😉

Read about Murty’s Fabulous Furries in Outlander book! As early as Chapter 3, Herself conjures a remarkable mental image of Murtaugh’s facial characteristics, including his supercilia!

“I found myself staring into a pair of sharp black eyes…

And who the hell are you?” I said in astonishment. My rescuer, if I cared to call him that, was some inches shorter than I and sparely built, but the bare arms protruding from the ragged shirt were knotted with muscle and his whole frame gave the impression of being made of some resilient material such as bedsprings. No beauty, either, with a pockmarked skin, low brow, and narrow jaw…

The swarthy little man shrugged. “At the foot o’ Craigh na Dun. She was havin’ words with a certain captain of dragoons wi’ whom I chanced to be acquent’,” he added, with a significant lift of his eyebrows. “There seemed to be some question as to whether the lady was or was not a whore.”

Bedsprings? 😂

Whore? 😲

See Murty’s Bodacious Brows in every Outlander episode featuring the Glorious Godfather!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

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Fun Fact: Melanin 

Anatomy Def: Melanin is a group of natural pigments found in animal skin, eyes, hair, feathers, scales or ink (the cephalopods). 

Outlander Def: That man – That hair! ‘Nuf said!

“Am I to wait all day?” 

As Jamie carefully cleans a horse’s hoof, Lords Ellesmere, spews rancor at the groom slowness. Adequate cleaning takes time –  the lad has a great work ethic.  Jamie, not Ellesmere! <G>

Ellesmere pouts and spouts:

“My god! If a child of mine had hair that color, I’d drown him before he drew a second breath.” 

Truer words! In a few short months, his Lordship very nearly slays his newborn son – a babe festooned with sprouts of golden-ginger hair!!!

Learn about melanin in Anatomy Lesson 6: Claire’s Hair – Jamie’s Mane or JHRC!

Melanin is the pigment of human skin, irises, hair and neurons. Three types are known: 

  • eumelanin  – brown, black pigment –  most common type
  • pheomelanin – golden yellow, red pigment –  the type in Jamie’s hair 
  • neuromelanin  – dark pigment – of some neurons, function unknown

Ergo, Jamie’s red hair receives its color by virtue of pheomelanin, a chemical variant of melanin! 

Less than 2% of the world’s population have red hair. More to the point, Scotland and Ireland enjoy the highest percentages of natural ginger heads in the world!

Read about Jamie’s hair in Voyager book. Clever Claire reflects on Jamie’s preparations for the governor’s ball in Jamaica. she quotes from a classic English scholar and poet:

“Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrists?

And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?

And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?

Oh they’re taking him to prison for the colour of his hair.”

Jamie put down the wig in his hand and raised one eyebrow at me in the mirror. I grinned at him and went on, declaiming with gestures:

“ ’Tis a shame to human nature, such a head of hair as his;

In the good old time ’twas hanging for the colour that it is;

Though hanging isn’t bad enough and flaying would be fair

For the nameless and abominable colour of his hair!”

“Did ye not tell me ye’d studied for a doctor, Sassenach?” he inquired. “Or was it a poet, after all?”

“Not me,” I assured him, coming to straighten his stock. “Those sentiments are by one A. E. Housman.”

Housman’s entire poem can be read here: https://www.poemtree.com/poems/OhWhoIsThat.htm  

See Ellesmere’s reprehensible behavior regarding the “abominable” color of Jamie’s hair in Outlander episode 304, Of Lost Things. At least, Lady Isobel seems displeased with the chortling auld men. Braw lassie!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credits: Sony/Starz

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Fun Fact: Arrector Pilus

Anatomy Def: Arrector pili (pl.) are small muscles attached to hair follicles. Contraction of these muscles pulls hairs upright, sometimes causing “goose bumps.” 

Outlander Def: Beard hairs grant Claire endless moments of fascination. Stroking beard hairs causes arrector pili muscles to contract and raise the hairs –  making shaving easier.

Learn about arrector pili (pl) muscles in Anatomy Lesson #6, “Claire’s Hair – Jamie’s Mane” or “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!”

Arrector pili are smalll spindle-shaped muscles at the base of our body hairs. Under involuntary control, various stimuli cause arrector pili to contract including stroking, cold, fright, and aggression. Contraction may also aid expulsion of sebum from skin sebaceous glands. 

Read about Jamie’s facial hairs in Voyager book, where, aboard the Artemis, Claire contemplates his substantial beard. Herself has a such way with words!

“… I wish you wouldn’t shave your beard just yet,” I added, as he bent to set down the tray he was holding. 

“Why not?” He glanced curiously over his shoulder at me, and I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Er … well. It’s a bit … different.” 

“Oh, aye?” He stood up and took a step toward me.

… The dark blue eyes had slanted into triangles of amusement. 

“How, different?” he asked. 

“Well, it … um …” I brushed my fingers vaguely past my burning cheeks. “It feels different. When you kiss me. On my … skin.” 

See Claire gently stroke Jamie’s beard in Outlander episode 313, Eye of the Storm. Warning! Warning! Arrector pili muscles on high alert! <G>

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credit: Sony/Starz