Tag: outlanderanatomy

Posted on

Fun Fact: Depressor Anguli Oris

Anatomy def: The paired depressor anguli oris (sing. angulus) are one of many muscles of facial expression. Spanning from mandible (lower jaw) to edges of mouth, these depressors pull corners of the mouth downward, as in a frown.

Outlander def: The “frightened, angry and verra scart muscles!” Young Ian displays a fierce frown as he watches the wicked witch wriggle and writhe!!! 

Learn about depressor anguli oris in Anatomy Lesson #11,  Jamie’s Face or Ye do it Face to Face, a lesson covering muscles of facial expression.

Checkout the downturn at the corners of young Ian’s mouth – especially noticeable on his right side. This is depressor anguli oris, adding marked emphasis to his displeasure with ghastly Geillis!

Read about young Ian’s terrifying meet-and-greet with the mad Mrs. Abernathy.  Diana doesn’t describe frowning as part and parcel of their weirdly intimate encounter, but one might well imagine the corners of his mouth turning downward. Here from Voyager book , Ian explains to Uncle Jamie:

He had had little opportunity to feel homesick, though. Hercules—or Atlas—had marched him up the stairs into what was obviously Mistress Abernathy’s bedroom. Mrs. Abernathy was waiting for him, dressed in a soft, loose sort of gown with odd-looking figures embroidered round the hem of it in red and silver thread.

“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.”

“I knew ye’d come, Uncle Jamie,” he said, with a tremulous smile, “but ye left it a bit late, aye?” The smile widened, then broke, and he began to tremble. He blinked hard, fighting back tears.

See Ian’s depressor anguli oris muscles at work in Outlander episode 312, The Bakra. The frowning lad is grossed out after witnessing the Bakra’s goat blood bath! No sweet Mary here. Gah!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

Posted on

Fun Fact: Arrector Pilus

Anatomy Def: Arrector pili (pl.) are small muscles attached to hair follicles. Contraction of these muscles pulls hairs upright, sometimes causing “goose bumps.” 

Outlander Def: Beard hairs grant Claire endless moments of fascination. Stroking beard hairs causes arrector pili muscles to contract and raise the hairs –  making shaving easier.

Learn about arrector pili (pl) muscles in Anatomy Lesson #6, “Claire’s Hair – Jamie’s Mane” or “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!”

Arrector pili are smalll spindle-shaped muscles at the base of our body hairs. Under involuntary control, various stimuli cause arrector pili to contract including stroking, cold, fright, and aggression. Contraction may also aid expulsion of sebum from skin sebaceous glands. 

Read about Jamie’s facial hairs in Voyager book, where, aboard the Artemis, Claire contemplates his substantial beard. Herself has a such way with words!

“… I wish you wouldn’t shave your beard just yet,” I added, as he bent to set down the tray he was holding. 

“Why not?” He glanced curiously over his shoulder at me, and I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Er … well. It’s a bit … different.” 

“Oh, aye?” He stood up and took a step toward me.

… The dark blue eyes had slanted into triangles of amusement. 

“How, different?” he asked. 

“Well, it … um …” I brushed my fingers vaguely past my burning cheeks. “It feels different. When you kiss me. On my … skin.” 

See Claire gently stroke Jamie’s beard in Outlander episode 313, Eye of the Storm. Warning! Warning! Arrector pili muscles on high alert! <G>

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

Posted on

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

Follow me on:

Photo credit: Sony/Starz