Tag: fun fact

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Fun Fact: pinna

Dougal Mackenzie's Graham McTavish's pinna

Anatomy def: Residing outside the head, the pinna is the visible part of an ear; a.k.a. the auricle, but, not to be confounded with the oracle ?. Pinna is more specific because the term auricle is also used for other body parts (e.g. heart atria).

Outlander def: Dougal’s splendid ear flaps are so sensitive, they pick up treacherous treason in the air! Love his unique ear flanges (Diana’s oft used term). Same ear part as was nailed to the pillory at Cranesmuir!

Learn about the pinna in Anatomy Lesson #24, Here, Hear – The Ear.

Read about Dougal’s pinna – they pick up sound waves vibrating with plots of vile murder and treason (Outlander book) – yikes!

“Dougal,” he said. “It isna what ye think, man. It’s—” “No?” … “Not what I think?” he said, still speaking softly. “I hear the woman urging ye to foul murder—to the murder of your Prince! Not only vile murder, but treason as well! And ye tell me I havena heard it?” He shook his head, the tangled russet curls lank and greasy on his shoulders. … “I dinna blame ye, lad,” he said. … “It isna your fault, Jamie. She’s bewitched ye—anyone can see that.” … That’s the spell that they lay on ye, lad—she and the other witch. … “Stand aside, laddie. I’ll free ye of the sassenach whore.” … “I shall cut your throat,” he said to me softly. … Step aside, lad. I wouldna harm ye, but by God, if ye shield that woman, I shall kill you, too, foster son or no.”

See Dougal’s pinnae in Starz ep 213, Dragonfly in Amber; his ear flaps are atingle with pernicious plotting against his precious prince!

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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

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Fun Fact: ulna

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