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
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Photo Credit: Sony/Starz
