Anatomy def: The inner and longer of two forearm bones (radius is outer and shorter bone).
Outlander def: A noble, 16 y.o. forearm bone broken by Jamie: snap, crackle, pop – och!
Learn about ulna (and radius) in Anatomy Lesson #20, “Arms! Arms! Arms! – Redux.” Lessons #19, #22, and #23 cover remaining upper limb, complex anatomy, indeed!
Read about William Grey’s forearm bones in Diana’s big book #2, Dragonfly in Amber. William makes a verra credible attempt at slicing Jamie’s throat followed by a struggle that ends with a broken forearm (his, not Jamie’s!). The tale doesn’t specify if one or both forearm bones are snapped by the unprincipled Scottish voluptuary and poltroon, Red Jamie! But, of the two bones, ulna breaks most frequently.
There was no moon, and the only clue to what was happening was a tremendous scuffling sound in the dry alder leaves, and the noise of men locked in effortful but silent conflict, with grunts, gasps, and the occasional muffled curse. There was a short, sharp cry, and then complete quiet.
… Jamie raised his eyebrows… “—is your arm broken, by the way? I thought I felt something snap.”
The boy was beginning to wilt under the combined strain of the questioning and his injured arm, but refused an offer to be seated. Instead, he leaned against the tree, cradling his elbow in his left palm.
The bones of the boy’s forearm were light and angular under the skin, hardly thicker than my own. I splinted the arm and slung it, using my own kerchief. “It’s a clean break,” I told him, keeping my voice impersonal. “Try to keep it still for two weeks, at least.”
See the Starz version of the encounter between Jamie and William Grey in episode 209, Je Suis Prest. The stramash between the two men has profound future consequences – “A Grey does not forget an obligation, sir!“ Come on, Season 3!
A deeply grateful,
Outlander Anatomist