Tag: fun fact

Posted on

Fun Fact: Palmar Aponeurosis

 

Anatomy def: Fan-shaped sheet of dense fibrous tissue beneath skin of palm. Fibers flare from apex at wrist to bases of the four fingers. 

Outlander Def: Tough layer of Claire’s trembling palm as it cups two rings: Frank’s gold and Jamie’s silver.  My precious! Gah!

Learn about the palmar aponeurosis in Anatomy Lesson #23, Harming Hands – Helping Hands – Healing Hands.

Palmar aponeurosis, also known as palmar fascia, is anatomically complex consisting of a sheet of connective fibers that converge near the distal wrist crease and radiate to the bases of the fingers (see below figure). It attaches to muscles, ligaments, digital sheaths and a forearm tendon (palmaris longus).

Function of palmar aponeurosis is mechanical. It firmly attach­es to the palmar skin allowing it to:

  • cup
  • improve the grip
  • protect underlying tendons and muscles

Slow thickening and shortening of  the palmar aponeurosis is a condition known as Dupuytren’s Contracture. It is more common in folks with Northern European ancestry.

Try this: Bring flexed (bent) fingers and thumb towards each other to form a cup in palm of hand. Tense the hand and tap the palm with fingers of the opposite hand.  It should feel tense and tight. This is the palmar aponeurosis. Good job!

Read about Steven Bonnet’s attack on the Frasers in Herself’s fourth big book, Drums of Autumn. The palmar aponeurosis helps Claire cradle those precious rings in the palm of her hand:

I twisted my gold ring off, hands trembling both with fear and rage. The silver one was harder; it stuck on my knuckle as though reluctant to part from me. Both rings were damp and slippery with sweat, the metal warmer than my suddenly chilled fingers.

“Give ’em up.” The man poked me roughly in the shoulder, then turned up a broad, grubby palm for the rings. I reached toward him, reluctantly, rings cupped in my hand—and then, with an impulse I didn’t stop to examine, clapped my hand to my mouth instead.

See Claire’s  moment of decision in Outlander episode 401, America the Beautiful:  to swallow or not to swallow, that is the question? Swallow, lass!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credits: Sony/Starz; Cunningham’s Textbook of Anatomy, William Wood & Company, 1914.

Posted on

Fun Fact: External Rotation

Anatomy def: External rotation is the act of rotating outwardly.

Outlander Def: Both shoulders pulled backward, Geilles languidly gazes to the left.… “Do ye favor my splendid finger painting, wee laddie? Och! Noooo! She scares the bejesus out of Young Ian.

Learn about external rotation in Anatomy Lesson #19, To Arms, Too Arms, Two Arms! 

Moving shoulder joints towards the spine (as in standing at attention) with palms facing forward and thumbs pointing outward is external rotation. (Moving shoulder joints toward the chest with palms facing backward and thumbs pointing toward the thighs is internal rotation.)

Try this: Stand before a mirror with arms at the sides. To execute external rotation of the shoulder joint: Turn palms forward with thumbs pointing outward.

Geillis’ shoulder joints are externally rotated even with hands on her hips, but they will rotate even further with arms at her sides and palms forward.

Wee Fun Fact: Our shoulder joints are the most moveable joints of the human body.

Read about Geillis seduction of Ian in Voyager book, wherein Ian describes her foul behavior in detail. This excerpt is suitable for work – other parts are not. Read the books! <G>

““I didna want to answer her, but I couldna seem to help myself. I felt verra warm, like I was fevered, and I couldna seem to move easy. But I answered all her questions, and her just sitting there, pleasant as might be, watching me close wi’ those big green eyes.’

…“She laughed then, and looked at me careful, and said as how I might not be such a loss, after all. If I was no good for what she had in mind, perhaps I might have other uses.’ ”

See The Witch’s bad behavior in Starz ep 312, The Bakra. Tsk. Tsk. No verra dignified, Mrs. Abernathy!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

Posted on

Fun Fact: Latissimus Dorsi Redux

Anatomy def: A pair of broad, fan-shaped back muscles; each wraps around the ipsilateral (same side) of chest and inserts into the upper humerus (arm bone). 

Outlander def: Whew! An amazing muscle mass of Jamie’s left armpit (red arrow). For sure, his right armpit has its own latissimus, but Claire is in the way!  <G>

Latissimi dorsi (pl.) form the rear boundary of each armpit (pec major forms each front boundary). Claire appears to be gazing at his left latissimus – and, who isn’t???

Learn about latissimus dorsi in Anatomy Lesson #19, To Arms, Too Arms, Two Arms! 

Today’s FF is the second covering this muscle. The first Latissimus dorsi posted December 2016, used a side view of latissimus dorsi as it angles from lower thoracic and lumbar spine towards the armpit (Outlander ep 106, The Garrison Commander). This broad muscle mass passes diagonally across the side of chest. So, now we view this important muscle from two vantage points.

Each latissimus dorsi is a powerful mover of its humerus:

  • abducts (draws humerus toward the thorax)
  • extends  (draws humerus backwards)
  • internally rotates  (rolls humerus inwards, towards chest) 

Read about Jamie’s armpit ablutions aboard the Artemus in Voyager book.  This lovely passage is from Jamie’s promises to Claire, once he gets her on land, <G>:

“Well, ye might moan a bit, if ye like, to encourage me, but otherwise, ye just lie still.” 

He didn’t sound as though he needed any encouragement whatever. One of his hands was resting on my thigh as he used the other to swab his chest with the damp towel. As he finished, the hand slid behind me, and squeezed. 

“My beloved’s arm is under me,” I quoted. “And his hand behind my head. Comfort me with apples, and stay me with flagons, For I am sick of love.” 

There was a flash of white teeth in his beard. 

“More like grapefruit,” he said, one hand cupping my behind. “Or possibly gourds. Grapefruit are too small.” 

“Gourds?” I said indignantly. 

“Well, wild gourds get that big sometimes,” he said. “But aye, that’s next.” He squeezed once more, then removed the hand in order to wash the armpit on that side. “I lie upon my back and have ye stretched at length upon me, so that I can get hold of your buttocks and fondle them properly.” He stopped washing to give me a quick example of what he thought proper, and I let out an involuntary gasp.

See Jamie’s left latissimus dorsi resting in his armpit in Starz ep 306, A. Malcolm.

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credit: Sony/Starz