Tag: fun facts

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Fun Fact: Thorax

 

Anatomy Def: Thorax or chest is the torso between base of neck and respiratory diaphragm.

Outlander def: Claire’s sgian dbuh hovers periously close to Angus’ thorax as he bravely bares his chest for a killing lesson!  Careful, Angus, Claire soon becomes adroit with that blade…weil, any blade! <G>

Learn about the thorax in Anatomy Lesson #15, “Crouching Grants –  Hidden Dagger!” 

Sternum (breastbone), thoracic vertebrae and 12 pr. of ribs and cartilages form the bony support for the thorax as it provides safe harbor for heart, lungs, esophagus and trachea.

Read about the thorax with its breastbone, ribs and knobbly spine in Outlander book. Rupert gives the lesson to Claire in the written word.  Angus is the authority in TV version.

“Now, here,” he said, pointing to the center, just under the breastbone, “is the spot to aim for, if ye’re killin’ face to face. Aim straight up and in, as hard as ye can. That’ll go into the heart, and it kills wi’in a minute or two. The only problem is to avoid the breastbone; it goes down lower than ye think, and if ye get yer knife stuck in that soft bit on the tip, it will hardly harm yer victim at all, but ye’ll be wi’out a knife, and he’ll ha’ you. 

See Angus’ thorax in Outlander episode 108, Both Sides Now. Angus, we miss ye, sweet laddie!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo credit: Sony/Starz

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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

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Fun Fact: nasolabial fold

Anatomy def: Skin folds extending from each side of nose to each corner of mouth, separating cheeks from upper lip. Also known as smile or laugh lines.

Outlander def: Angular creases of Colum’s facial skin, marked by age and suffering.

Learn about nasolabial folds in Anatomy Lesson #11, “Jamie’s Face” or “Ye do it Face to Face?”

Read about Colum’s nasolabial folds, deep creases from nose to lips, in Dragonfly in Amber book. Pain from his debilitating condition has deepened these folds.

A smile twitched the fine-cut lips. He had the bold beauty of his brother Dougal, ruined as it was, and when he lifted the veil of detachment from his eyes, the power of the man overshone the wreck of his body.

…He stretched and shifted his position, easing his bones on the lichened stone bench. His lips were pressed tight, by habit, against any exclamation of discomfort, and I could see what had made those deep creases between nose and mouth.

See Colum’s nasolabial fold (red arrow) in Starz episode 212, The Hail Mary. Dinna mistake the lank strand of hair across his face as his right skin fold. This puir chieftain feels too far ill for careful grooming! Fare thee well, Colum, ye were a formidable laird!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist