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
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