Fun Fact: vermillion border

Anatomy def: Sharp demarcation (rim) where facial skin meets upper and lower lips (red arrow); the rim is often paler than the lips. Anatomical spelling is “vermilion,” not “vermillion.”

Outlander def: The perfect target for Jamie kisses!  “da mi basia mille, diende centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum” …   “Then let amorous kisses dwell, On our lips, begin and tell, A Thousand and a Hundred score, A Hundred, and a Thousand more.” (from Catullus – TY Diana!)

Learn about the vermilion border in Anatomy Lesson #14, Jamie and Claire – Anatomy of a Kiss.

Read about the edge (vermillion border) of Claire’s lips in Diana’s first book, Outlander. Gasp! Thud!

He reached out and touched my lower lip, barely brushing the edge. “It starts out the same, but then, after a moment,” he said, speaking softly, “suddenly it’s as though I’ve a living flame in my arms.” His touch grew firmer, outlining my lips and caressing the line of my jaw. “And I want only to throw myself into it and be consumed.”

See Claire’s lovely lips in each and every Starz episode, from season one through season two; but, Starz episode 107, The wedding, has particularly splendid examples! Claire’s exquisite lips are surrounded by a perfect vermilion border!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

 

Fun Fact: Acromion

Anatomy def: The outermost end of the spine of scapula (shoulder blade).

Outlander def: This delicious “point of the shoulder” presents a grand shoulder for Claire to cry on!

Learn about the acromion in Anatomy Lesson #2: “When Claire Meets Jamie” or “How to Fall in Love While Reducing a Dislocated Shoulder Joint!” (wow, that lesson posted a looong time ago!) The acromion forms a stable joint with the clavicle (collar bone) and serves as an attachment site for muscles.

Read about the acromion or point of the shoulder in Dragonfly in Amber book. Gratefully, Diana never fails to provide!

I put a stop to this by punching him as hard as I could on the point of the shoulder. Surprised, he let the arm collapse under him with a sharp “Oof!” and rolled onto his side, back toward me…

See Jamie’s acromion in Starz episode 201, Not in Scotland Anymore. Hey, students, look at the acromion, not his chest. Hee, hee. The bump just below Jamie’s acromion is part of the humerus. Uncle Jared is sorry he doubted his nephew, but we never did. Jamie is the best! Go anatomy!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Fun Fact: Premolar or Molar?

Anatomy def. – premolar: One of 8 transitional teeth (2 per quadrant) seated between canines and molars. Premolars are also known as bicuspids because they typically bear two cusps or points (sometimes three).

Anatomy def. – molar: One of 12 large, flat teeth (3 per quadrant) at the back of the mouth used for grinding and chewing. Molars typically have 4 – 5 cusps.

Outlander def: One of many “owie” teeth that Claire yanks from the mouths of impatient – outpatients! Wicked pliers!

Learn about premolars, molars and all the rest in Anatomy Lesson #26, “Jamie’s Chin – Manly Mentus.”

This FF title poses a question: is the extracted tooth shown in Starz ep 211, “Vengeance Is Mine,” a premolar or molar? Time to think! Well, the tooth has two roots (cusps aren’t visible): each first upper (maxillary) premolar and all lower (mandibular) molars have two roots. Otherwise, all upper molars have three roots, and all other teeth have one. Ergo, Claire is pulling either a first upper premolar tooth or a lower molar (see below). Angle of the pliers and tilt of the head implies she is gripping an upper tooth, so I vote for a first maxillary premolar. See how anatomy works? Darned interesting stuff!

See Claire pull the “hen’s” tooth in Starz ep 211, “Vengeance Is Mine,” written by our very own, Diana Gabaldon. Rupert stands as witness even though his belly was just stitched up. Ouch and och!

Read about teeth in Diana’s first big book, Outlander. Although not filmed, the following scene illustrates our Sassynurse’s versatility as she reseats Ned Gowan’s tooth in its socket. Anatomically thrifty!

Ned Gowan was bright-eyed and fizzing with vitality, apparently so intoxicated with the thrill of the fight as hardly to notice the tooth that had been knocked out by an ill-aimed dagger hilt. He had, however, retained sufficient presence of mind to keep it carefully held under his tongue. “Just on the off-chance, d’ye see,” he explained, spitting it into the palm of his hand. The root was not broken, and the socket still bled slightly, so I took the chance and pressed the tooth firmly back into place. The little man went quite white, but didn’t utter a sound. He gratefully swished his mouth with whisky for disinfectant purposes, though, and thriftily swallowed it.

Go Claire – go Ned!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist