Anatomy Lesson 18: “Hallelujah Chorus Part Deux”

Hallo again! By the time many of you read this I will be on a plane headed for NYC to attend the Starz Mid-Season Premier of Outlander on April 1! I am so excited and deeply grateful to be attending this amazing event! Hope to see some of you there!

Once again, we are wedding guests looking at lots of applied anatomy from the 2nd half of Starz episode 7, The Wedding. We start with another short Anatomy Lesson #18: Tensor Fasciae Latae.

After Lesson #18 it’s Q&A time because today is our midterm practical exam! Pssst. We will score it but don’t fash, no one is keeping track! So, pull out quill and paper. You will grade your exam on the honor system: open book, score your own paper AND it’s graded on a curve! You can check back to any Anatomy Lesson or elsewhere to find an answer. When you get an answer right, you will receive a wee Scottish badge. Oh, and just so you ken, a few gratuitous images have no Q or A; these are thrown in to keep us all wide AWAKE!

The questions in our practical exam will once again follow the sequence of anatomical structures as they appear in Starz episode 107, The Wedding; all but two images are from this episode.

Sort of Spoiler Alert: Included is a hint of a spoiler so before it comes up, there is a warning so you can skip if you choose. Watch for it!

Now for tensor fasciae later: you may recall from Anatomy Lesson #7 that anatomists divide the lower limb into thigh and leg: thigh is between hip and knee joints and leg is between knee and ankle joints. That lesson also revealed that thigh muscles are wrapped in the fascia lata (Photo A), a strong connective tissue stocking that blends with connective tissue overlying gluteus maximus (Photo A – red arrow) and leg (Photo A – blue arrow).

 fascia-lata-_KLS-edited

Photo A

At the side of the thigh, fascia lata is markedly thickened as the iliotibial (IT) tract or IT band which extends from ASIS and iliac crest (Anatomy Lesson #16) to tibia (Anatomy Lesson # 9).

fascia-lata-KLS-&-RLS-edited-01

Photo B

Now for the muscle of the day: tensor fasciae later (TFL). TFL arises from iliac crest and ASIS (Anatomy Lesson #7) and ends below the hip joint by inserting into the IT band (Photo C). TFL and Gluteus maximus (Anatomy Lesson #1) fibers also attach to the IT band along a shared boundary (Photo C – green arrow). TFL is an unsung hero muscle that gets little attention unless injured or overly tight. It is strengthened along with other hip muscles because it has several actions: as the name implies it places tension on the fascia lata. But, it also helps flex, abduct (move away from body) and medially rotate (turn inward) the thigh. But more importantly, it helps keep the pelvis level while standing, walking, or running. Runners especially should thoroughly stretch TFL after exercise to keep it supple and lengthened. An online search for TFL stretches yields some excellent options.

Figure0476-tensor-fasciae-latae-KLS-edited

Photo C

Would you like to see a great example of the TFL? No surprise but Jamie is our model yet again! Aye, the man has an extraordinarily well-developed TFL (red arrow) extending from iliac crest (yellow arrow) above to just below the hip joint (blue arrow); the long groove (green arrow – color coded to match Photo C) is the IT band shared between TFL and gluteus maximus. As an anatomist, I’m AM duly impressed because this muscle is often overlooked in both identification and development! It is strengthened by leg presses and exercises such as running and climbing. Whew! Every one start breathing now…in 2, 3, 4, – out 2, 3, 4…..

ep-7-tensor-fascia-lata-KLS-edited

Now where did we leave off in The Wedding, Part One? Ah yes, Jamie is busy trying to woo Claire by telling her that her hair is a real turn-on. Aye, he loves those curls. To prove it, here’s quote from Herself’s own quill (Outlander book):

“You’ve the loveliest hair,” said Jamie, watching me. “What? This? ” …“But it’s so … curly,” I said, blushing a little. “Aye, of course.” He looked surprised. “I heard one of Dougal’s girls say to a friend at the Castle that it would take three hours with the hot tongs to make hers look like that. She said she’d like to scratch your eyes out for looking like that and not lifting a hand to do so.”

ep-7-brown-hair-lass-01KLS-edited

So we return to the story line where we left off during practice practical (Anatomy Lesson #17) so let’s start the Q & A for our midterm exam. Aye, this one is for credit so do your very best!

Claire puts the kibosh on Jamie’s courting by commenting on his new kilt – a true Fraser- treasure! He squats down to pick up his Fraser colors and more story-telling ensues.

Q # 1: Name the taut structure at the side of Jamie’s left leg. (Anatomy Lesson #7)

ep-7-IT-band-KLS-edited

A # 1: IT (iliotibial) band or tract. Right as rain. Pocket Jamie for you!

pocket-jamie

Jamie then recounts Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser’s role in collecting his wedding clothes. I LOVE this scene between Jamie and his faithful godfather because Murtagh always has Jamie’s back! Plus, he is verra fond of Claire: he rescued her from BJR and he actually talks to her while assiduously avoiding every other woman on the planet.

“What do you make of her” asks Jamie – “Mistress Beauchamp?” Murtagh takes pity on him saying “your mother had the sweetest smile. Warm a man all the way to the backbone. Claire’s smile is just as sweet.” Awww, it made my heart melt. Murtagh’s own smile is just as sweet as he polishes Jamie’s brooch. His beard is full and heavy; made of terminal hairs ye ken – a secondary sex characteristic in men.

Q #2: What hormone causes Murtagh’s beard growth? (Anatomy Lesson #6)

ep-7-nasolabial-fold-KLS-edited

A #2: Testosterone (androgen is OK too). Excellent! A bearded Scottish thistle for you!

thistle

Then another two days of storytelling as Jamie recounts his cat-and-mouse wedding game with his ever-lovin’ Uncle Dougal. Uncle D was in such a hurry, but Jamie slowed him down with three conditions which Dougal eagerly supported with “Christ, it would be easier to kill you both!” The conditions are: 1) marriage in a kirk by a priest suffering with an 18th century rhinovirus; 2) a ring made from sporran litter (not really) ; 3) and a nice ill-repute dress for Claire. Herself writes about Claire’s dress in Outlander:

Ned was carrying the dress in question, hanging from one hand like a dead animal. Smoothed out on the bed, it proved to be a low- necked gown ………..The innkeeper was half- buried in the petticoats he carried, his bristling whiskers barely visible over the foamy layers.

Ned got her dress from a what-house? Claire accuses Jamie of telling a big old whopper, but he says no way, Jose  … I’m telling you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Ned was ‘grinning like a taw-tailed dog” beaming about his visit to the pleasure palace. That Ned is an 18th century stealth drone!

Q # 3: Name the muscle at the outside of Jamie’s thigh. (Anatomy Lesson #7)

ep-7-vastus-lateralis-muscle-02

A #3: Vastus lateralis. Oh, aye, it’s grand! Here’s a set of bagpipes for ye.

bagpipes

Although Claire is fair saturated in whisky, Jamie remembers “every moment – every second” of sun-drenched Claire in her beautiful wedding dress! And we ken why; a low-necked wedding dress indeed! Geez, if that amazing gown plunged any lower, we might be staring at Claire’s navel! But, she looks fantastic and her ever-gallant betrothed bows to his bride of astonishing beauty: “Your servant, Madam.”

ep-7-clavicle-03-KLS-edited

A wee aside here: truth be told Jamie isna always a gallant gentleman. See what I mean (Starz episode 101, Sassenach)? He shoves her off the saddle!  Help! She’s going over!

ep-1-claire-falls-KLS-edited

Back to our story…Dougal gets mighty bored and annoyed with their I-don’t-know-your-name chit-chat: “Well, if you two are quite finished let’s get on with it.” Geez Uncle D., give them a break. You are fiercely determined that Jamie marries an English woman so he canna become laird of clan MacKenzie and that Claire doesna spill the beans about Jacobite fund raising. At least let the lass hear her groom’s name before she swears her vows!

Q # 4: Name the muscle lifting Dougal’s eyebrows and wrinkling his forehead skin (Anatomy Lesson #11)

ep-7-frontalis-05-KLS-edited

A #4: Frontalis. Good! Have a wee statue of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard.

Burns_2

It’s facetime in kirk and Claire plants three good ones on Jamie. This is a “when-you-kissed-me-like-that” type of kiss; it produces an audible smack and requires a wee bit of suction caused by a verra important mouth muscle. Remember it? You should all get this right as we’ve learnt it over and over and over!

Q # 5: Name the muscle that Jamie and Claire use to pucker up for this kiss. (Anatomy Lesson #14)

ep-7-kiss-03-KLS-edited

A #5: Orbicularis oris. Wow! You get a unicorn, the national animal of Scotland.

unicorn

Next, as part of a blood vow, Dougal cuts Claire across the palmar surface of her wrist. Wow, Big D that’s a major slash; it’s going to leave a deep line across the base of her wrist! Mayhap ye feel a wee bit jealous?

“Blood of my blood, bone of my bone” … Sniff, my tears are pooling on the floor. Truly!

Q # 6: Yes or no. Did Dougal’s wrist slash cut Claire’s cephalic vein? (Anatomy Lesson #17)

 ep-7-small-pox-scar-02-KLS-edited

A #6: No. The cephalic vein is on the  sides of forearm and arm. The flag of Scotland for ye that got the correct answer!

flag

Next Jamie recalls every moment – every second of the ceremony, which touches Claire’s heart. In thanks, she tells him to get his behind off that couch and take off his shirt. Huh? Jamie narrows his eyes: Ye want me to do whaaaat?

Q # 7: Name the muscles narrowing Jamie’s eyelids. (Anatomy Lesson #11)

ep-7-what-KLS-edited

A #7: Orbicularis oculi. Ye earned a shaggy highland coo!

highland-coo

She wants to look at you Jamie and he is most obliging: well why didn’t you say so in the first place? Soon, Claire’s doing a 360° scoping him from hither to thither: She likes what she sees to be sure. If ye didna notice during the 10nth times ye watched this episode go back and take another look see: Jamie clenches his fist as Claire slowly waltzes around him. It takes him a few to relax that tight grip under her land grant survey. I’m thinking it might be tough to stand naked and still while someone you want to like you does a full inventory of your, ahem, body parts and passions.

Q # 8: Name the muscle under Claire’s left palm and forearm. (Anatomy Lesson #1)

 ep-7-gluteus-maximus-KLS-edited

A #8: Gluteus maximus. Aye, it does extend that far to the side. Have a pocket Murtagh!

pocket-murtagh

Hey, sassy-lassie, what are ye looking at? Weel, we ALL looked! It’s even been on the back of a bus (think that was photoshopped)!

Q # 9: Name red region of Jamie’s lips. (Anatomy Lesson #14)

ep-7-jugular-notch-KLS-edited

A #9: Vermillion zone (vermillion border is OK). You get the MacKenzie war chief!

pocket-dougal

Claire is so overwhelmed with the beauty of her gallant gent that she gently touches her nose to his back. She says to herself to herself says she: “I am NOT leaving this for hot running H20!”

Q # 10: Name the very powerful muscle in Jamie’s neck (Anatomy Lesson #12)

ep-7-clavicle-01-KLS-edited

A #10: Sternocleidomastoid (SCM). If ye got it right how about a Scottish pillow to rest your weary heid after all that studying?

outlander-pillows

Okay, now fair’s fair, fair-Claire. Take off yours too! Jamie isn’t going to let you get away with ogling his beautiful bod and you not doing the same for him! Even-Stephen.

Q #11: Name the bony points of Jamie’s shoulders. (Anatomy Lesson #2 and Anatomy Lesson #3)

ep-7-acromion-02-KLS-edited_2

A #11: Acromions (points of shoulder). Wonder if JAMMF knows where his are? Here, have a dram! Whew, ye earned it!

whiskey

Claire slowly and delicately (aye, the lass enjoys doing a strip-tease) unties the neckline of her shift. That Jamie, he don’t say nothing to nobody.

Q #12: Name the part of Jamie’s spine at the tip of the red arrow. (Anatomy Lesson #10)

ep-7-whip-lashes-KLS-edited

A #12: Sacrum. Here’s a sassy Rupert for answering correctly.

pocket-rupert

Now time to put on my nit-pick hat: a wee comment about the whip lash scars shown in the image above. The lashes administered at Fort William (Starz episode #106, The Garrison Commander) didn’t descend below the level of Jamie’s kilt but this prosthesis surely does! I don’t want to quibble (well, mayhap I do) but during that scene Jamie’s kilt rides just below his navel (L3-L4 IV disc – green dashed line) but this prosthesis extends to about S4 level (yellow dashed line). Also, the scars would not cover the sacrum without also including the buttock skin; BJR wasn’t that skillful with his whip. Darn! This creates internal strife that keeps me awake at night and believe me, I need my beauty rest!

Okay, moving onward…Claire’s making progress on that ribbon but not fast enough for Jamie. Patience man!

Q #13: Name the midline bone in Jamie’s chest. (Anatomy Lesson #15)

ep-7-clair-undresses-KLS-edited

A #13: Sternum (breast bone) Rah, Rah! Ye get your own Scottish Deerhound (loyal to the bone)!

scottish-deerhound

Well, now, will ye look at that! Ever the fashion plate, Claire wears the latest in 19th century undergarments. Marketed as the Convallaria majalis French corset, it is sold only at Victorious Secret, a new lingerie shop in Inverness. Order yours online. Careful though, it is poisonous! Claire’s torso is sinuous and her beautiful belly is flat and taut.

Q #14: Name the midline groove of Claire’s belly. (Anatomy Lesson #16)

 claires-bra-01_KLS-edited-700

A #14: Linea alba. Yessss; you win half a French corset (hey, at least it’s not made outta thistle)!

lily-of-the-valley

Then things start moving at warp speed: Beam me up Scottie! Jamie picks Claire up, she winds her legs around his torso and he sits them down on that yummy pelt comforter! He hugs her close and…

Spoiler alert!

Weel, sort-of-Spoiler Alert: The next image mentions a structure that may appear in future episodes. If you don’t want to read about it, best skip over the next paragraph and image.

Oh, you decided to stay after all? Well then, follow the red arrows and take a close look at Claire’s left arm. Look closely now…closer. What do you see? Aha! It’s Claire’s smallpox scar proving she came from the 20th century. None of the Highlanders ken the scar or its meaning, but we do! Jamie, he’s paying no mind to that dinky little skin spot!

ep-7-small-pox-scar-02-KLS

Continuing with the same theme, Jamie has his hands all over Claire’s skin. Well, Mrs. Fitz did say that with skin as fair as hers, Claire’s next hubby would be a lucky man (Starz episode 103, The Gathering). She straddles him with her thighs but – whistle and shout- it’s her (lower) leg I ask ye to consider. Recall the leg has two bones?

Q #15: Name one bone of Claire’s leg (Anatomy Lesson #9)

ep-7-arms-04-KLS-edited

A #15: Tibia or fibula. Here’s your very own pocket Claire! Everyone needs a wee winsome Beaton!

pocket-claire

Next, Jamie flips Claire over and gives her some well-deserved TLC! Yep, he finally makes it to home base. Claire, Jamie didna know that no woman could…well, could! Jamie, Claire had no idea this talented lad could…well, could! Aye, he’s a quick learner. Herself describes IT  well in Outlander:

“I do not know if it will help, he said, quietly, but I will tell you this: it is a gift and a wonder to me, to know that I can please you – that your body can rouse to mine. I hadna thought of such a thing-beforehand.”

Aye, Jamie, there’s one steep learning curve in front of you – Claire has more secrets to teach you but we ken you are (throat clearing) up to the challenge!

Q #16: Name the vein at the red arrows (Anatomy Lesson #17).

ep-7-cephalic-vein-02-KLS-edited

A #16: Cephalic vein. Righto! Have a feisty Highlander and his glass of Spanish port!

pocket-angus

The new DVDs from the first half of Starz Outlander season 1 feature a deleted wedding scene where in the sneezing priest tells Claire she must vow “to be meek and obedient in bed…” Ah….HUH? Obviously this naive man of the cloth hasn’t a clue about our Claire! Her gallant almost-hubby is a bit bemused himself! But the lass is appalled by such a barbaric notion! Her face glows with a thunderous expression as this outlandish idea echoes through her grey matter. Prompted again, she mutinously mutters the vow (It’s true: older Christian vows did include this statement. Look it up.). Verra soon Claire will break this promise, too! Take a wee keek at the next picture to see if Claire is meek and obedient in bed!

Herself explains it best in Outlander:

You are not going to hurt me,” I said impatiently. “And if you did, I wouldn’t mind.” Seeing puzzled incomprehension on his face, I decided to show him what I meant. “What are you doing?” he asked, shocked. “Just what it looks like. Hold still.” After a few moments, I began to use my teeth … ”Did I hurt you?” I asked “Yes. A little.” He sounded half-strangled. Do you want me to stop? “No!”

NO! NO! NO!  J.H.R.C., don’t stop now!

ep-7-bite-01-KLS-edited

Aye, she teaches him a few things that makes him one Happy Highlander. Like Mrs. Fitz, that Claire is.a.wonder!

Q #17: Teeth enamel is derived from what body organ? (Anatomy Lesson #5)

ep-7-teeth-02-KLS-edited

A #17: Skin (or mouth mucosa). The largest organ of the body! Have a couple of sign dubhs (to pick your teeth with).

dirks

Endorphins swirling through his cephalic veins, Jamie falls asleep in, oh, two nanoseconds: the lad smiles in his sleep, a sure sign he’s happy.

Q #18: Name the facial bone at the tip of the arrow. (Anatomy Lesson #8)

ep-7-Jamie-smile-KLS-edited

A #18: Zygomatic bone/arch (cheek bone). That was a difficult one. Here’s Jamie and Donas as yer reward!

donas-and-jamie

Leaving her lovey hubby snoozing away, Claire zips downstairs for water. Mayhap a wee bit too much alcohol – she’s dehydrated! As Jamie’s sleeps the sleep of the innocent, Dougal swoops into the tap room and comes onto Mrs. Fraser offering her “other” pleasures. Hey! Claire isn’t into you Dougal man! Dinna ye recall what she did at Castle Leoch (Starz episode 104, The Gathering)? Aye, she slapped, kicked and hit you over the head! Get with the program. Buzz off – she hankers no one but her Bonny Beau!

Q #19: Name the pigment that colors Claire’s hair. (Anatomy Lesson #6)

ep-7-Dougal-comeon-KLS-edited

A #19: Melanin (most accurately eumelanin). Excellent! Enjoy this really, superb book!

outlander-book

Rupert has perfect timing. He walks in, takes a gander at Claire and mutters “Jamie may be no experienced but that one looks well-rrrrrrridden.” Puir man he hasna a clue that Doreen-bedding Dougal just made a major lass-pass. Dougal being a totally temperate war chief punches faithful Rupert in the face telling him to git his arse out of there and tend to the horses.

ep-7-rupert-02-KLS-edited

Och, mayhap Rupert had the sight by observing that Clair had been out for a bare-back ride. Her lovely upswept wedding do is utterly destroyed: hair tumbling down over her shoulders and curling madly around her face. Wrapped in her new hubby’s kilt and sporting a magnificent new ring and rosy glow, she looks well-ridden indeed! Saddle up! Whinny and snort!

ep-7-melanin-KLS-edited

Do you ken that Claire mused on being ridden by Jamie way back at Castle Leoch (Starz episode 102) as she tended his gunshot wound? Crying for her not-yet-born Frank, Jamie comforts her against his warm broad chest. What did Claire think as Jamie was easing her loss? Weel, no need to guess: Herself tells us in Outlander book:

“My sobs lessened and I began to calm myself, leaning tiredly into the curve of his shoulder. No wonder he was so good with horses, I thought blearily, feeling his fingers rubbing gently behind my ears, listening to the soothing, incomprehensible speech. If I were a horse, I’d let him ride me anywhere.”

And she did! Rupert man, ye are clairvoyant!

ep-2-ride-me-KLS-edited

Later, Jamie awakens and sees Claire musing before the fire.

Q # 20: Name the horizontal grooves on Jamie’s abdominal skin. (Anatomy Lesson #16)

ep-7-tendinous-intersections-05-KLS-edited

A #20: Tentinous intersections of rectus abdominis. Have a Scotty dog…no, they’re not in the Outlander books but they’re really cute!

scottish-terrier-profile

Jamie hones in on Claire like a beacon bringing her his mother’s Scotch pearls. Question #21 is a bonus question! Yesssss, a chance to get extra credit!

Q #21: Name the structure deep to the skin groove at tip of the red arrow. (Anatomy Lesson #16)

ep-7-inguinal-ligaments-KLS-edited

A #21: Inguinal ligament. Good work! Here is a reward for “giving us a wee bit of fun”…a regal Scottish stag.

stag

Jamie, you dear, dear man: you really know how to turn a lassie’s head! Claire now that is a string of pearls  – not that balderdash you fussed about at the beginning of episode 107 comparing your life with Frank to a string of pearls.

ep-7-pearls-KLS-edited

Here’s our last image: the cutest pair of she + he knees I ever kent. But, don’t fash, we will likely return to this episode for future anatomy lessons.

ep-7-vastus-medialis-muscle-01-KLS-edited

Our own joy ride is over. Darn! Time to grade your papers. How many icons did you get?:

0-5 badges = A

5-10 badges = A+

10-15 badges = A++

15-20 badges = A+++

15-20 badges + bonus = off the charts!

See: You all got at an A or better because we grade on the curve! (Talk about grade inflation.) Thanks for playing along as we suffered through droughtlander and pined away for April 4th! It’s almost here and then a whole new set of episodes for anatomical dissection!

HALLEULJAH, HALLEULJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH ………HAL …..…LE…..…LU…………JAHHHHHH!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

image creds: Starz, Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, 4th ed., www.netalloy.com, www.kevie.co.uk, www.songerconsulting.net, www.johnnyautomatic.com , www.outlanderlife.com, www.pinterest.com, www.openclipart.com, http://wiki.vanessalionel.fr, http://corenominal.org, http://antumdeluge.wordpress.com/, http://maevevella.com ClipartsofLazur URH, Clipartsofanonymous, www.4vector.com, www.wikipedia

Anatomy Lesson 9: “The Gathering” or “Gore by a Boar”

Anatomy Lesson #9: Tibialis Anterior, Femoral Artery and Intestines.

Holiday greetings fledging anatomists! Hope ye have been good since my last post. This lesson follows Starz episode 4, The Gathering. It also contains lots o’ anatomy so let’s begin!

Warning: if ye havna seen episode #4 or are a wee bit squeamish, this post contains a graphic photo of Geordie’s innards; ye’ll get a second warning just before it comes inta view.

Starting off, I nearly choked on me ale when naughty Angus, that shagger of wee beasties, offers Claire a look-see under his kilt! Claire’s no likely to forget that sight! Speaking of kilts, at the end o’ this lesson I’m gonna show ye what is under a Scotsman’s kilt. But, dinna be scrolling to the end just yet! Ye will want ta read through yer anatomy lesson first…

image

Claire is headed out on the hunt thinking boars are just wee, hairy piggies. Our stylish lassie is outfitted in the latest over-the-shoulder, wicker medical basket wit’ a fine leather strap.

image

But, her first physicking is fer a young man gored by a boar. Near the knee, a horrific meaty-looking wound gapes the length o’ his right leg (see Anatomy Lesson #7). The gash is huge and Claire applies a nice field dressing while givin’ him holy hell fer messin’ wit’ the pigs. She tells him he will walk with a limp!

image

Now, let’s puzzle out the anatomy of this wound. Ye may ken from Anatomy Lesson #7 that anatomists divide the lower limb into thigh, leg and foot. Ye also ken that the leg contains two bones (Photo A): the larger, medial tibia and the smaller, lateral fibula. The tibia, or shin bone, has a sharp anterior border and a broad medial surface ye can easily palpate (feel) through yer own skin. Try it. These tibial surfaces are so superficial that they are easily barked on projections such as stair risers.

image

Photo A

The gash (indicated by the red dashed line in Photo B) runs the length of tibialis anterior (Photo B, black arrow) a fleshy leg muscle just lateral to the anterior tibial border. Test yer own tibialis anterior muscles this way: wit’ the legs side-by-side, stand on yer heels. Ye’ll see fleshy bumps to the side of each tibia – the tibialis anterior muscles. If yers aren’t verra fleshy, read on ta find out how to strengthen them!

image

Photo B

Tibialis anterior arises (takes origin) from the tibia, turns into tendon, angles across the ankle joint and ends (inserts) on foot bones near the instep (Photo C). It has two major functions: it inverts the ankle (the sole faces the midline) and it lifts the foot at the ankle (dorsiflexion) allowing the toes to be pulled up and held in a locked position. This muscle is critical for walking, running, kicking a ball, or any activity that requires moving the leg or keeping the leg vertical. Now ye ken why Claire warns the young man that he will walk wit’ a limp.

image

Photo C

Ye can strengthen yer own tibialis anterior using a verra simple exercise (Photo D). Tie an exercise band around an upright, place the loop over the foot (not just the toes) and dorsiflex the foot against tension. Repeat on the other side gradually increasing the number of repetitions over time. Ye can also find tibialis anterior strengthening exercises on YouTube.

image

Photo D

TAKE NOTE! Flawed running technique, poor athletic shoes, overuse, etc., can cause tibialis anterior muscles to become seriously inflamed (redness, swelling, pain, heat, and loss of function). In Photo E the inflammation is so extensive ye can see the entire course o’ the muscle and its tendon just under the skin!

image

Photo E

Movin’ on: Claire’s next challenge is puir Geordie whose gory thigh bears multiple lacerations from a boar’s tusk! Claire correctly concludes that the gouges missed his femoral artery because there is no spurt ta the blood flow.

image

Where is Geordie’s femoral artery? Weel, the (common) femoral artery starts at the inguinal ligament accompanied by a vein and nerve of the same name (Photo F). It bears another name before passing behind the inguinal ligament but it doesn’t concern us just now. Soon, (2-3 inches) it passes behind the sartorius and vastus medialis muscles (see Anatomy lesson #7) too deep fer a boar tusk ta reach.

image

Photo F

Ready fer a wee bit o’ self-examination? Or, ye can play doctor with a friend!…Snort! Lie on your back and put yer fingers in the groin near the middle of the thigh. Move them up and down. Do ye feel a thick band? This is the inguinal ligament (Photo I – black arrow). Next, place yer middle and ring fingers just below the inguinal ligament and press deep. Ye should feel a strong, even pulse; this is the femoral artery! It lies deep just below the middle o’ the inguinal ligament (Photo G – green arrow). It is often as big as yer thumb because it supplies blood to the entire lower limb (almost).

Hint: ne’er take a pulse with yer thumb or index finger as these vessels have their own pulses that may interfere wit’ yer assessment. The femoral artery is catheterized for diagnostic purposes and medical intervention.

image

Photo G

Weel, if Geordie’s femoral artery wasna gored, where did all that dark blood come from (ye ken that arterial blood is bright red and venous blood is deep red). It came from tributaries of the great saphenous vein (GSV), the longest vein in the body (Photo H)! Saphenous is from the Greek meaning “to manifest” because often it can be seen through the skin. The GSV begins in the foot and courses up the inside of the leg and thigh ending in the femoral vein. It receives numerous tributaries (dashed oval in Photo H) along its path and these are the sources of Geordie’s blood. Claire stems the bleeding with a tourniquet knowing that she can stitch the lacerations and save his leg.

WARNING: The next image shows Geordie’s gut wound.  Scroll past if ye dinna wish to see it!

image

Photo H

But, sadly, Claire kens puir Geordie’s other wound: a hugh gash through the belly wall exposing globs of yellow fat (green arrows) and loops o’ intestine! This wound will be fatal in the 18th century and can be today because it exposes a normally sterile space to the outside world wit’ its teeming hordes of bacteria! She canna do anything fer him except take him ta a peaceful place! Kind Claire!

image

As anatomists, we should learn from Geordie’s wound. The loops shown are o’ small intestine; how do we ken that? Easy! Inspect the loop surfaces and see that they are smooth so this is small intestine; if the loops have pouches (haustra) then it is large intestine (see Photo I – black arrows). The small intestine is divided into duodenum, jejunum and ileum but we see only jejunum and ileum as the duodenum lies too deep.

image

Photo I

BTW, again verra good special effects because globs of yellow fat show just under Geordie’s belly skin. Anatomists call this layer the superficial fascia of the anterior abdominal wall. But, a shorter name is Camper’s fascia (Photo J). The depth of the fatty layer depends on us. The more belly fat, the thicker Camper’s fascia; the leaner we are, the thinner Camper’s fascia! Clearly, Geordie is a slim-Jim.

image

Photo J

After Claire telegraphs puir Geordie’s fate, Dougal cradles him gently in his arms (finally a kind deed!) – we hear them reliving fun times together…stealing kine, terrorizing the neighborhood, swiving Geordie’s bonny sister Doreen. What’s a guid friend fer, aye?

image

Next, Dougal arrives at the shinty field leading a horse carrying puir Geordie wrapped in a plaid death shroud (the great kilt scores again!). A rough but good-spirited game is in progress. Is it Geordie’s death or seein’ his damn nephew playin’? Either way, a black-clad Dougal roars onto the field like an 18th century Darth Vader (and boy! Isn’t he in braw, shinty-fighting form!)! He is filled wit’ rage and looking fer victims!

OK, time fer an anatomy review pop quiz!  So, please git out paper and pencil and keep score…

image

First, Dougal clips an unwitting player from behind! Dirty pool! (Hey, who’s that running ahead o’ Unca D. and victim #1)? Clipping in the US version of football has been banned for almost 100 years (one type is still permitted in the NFL and CFL). Why is clipping so dangerous? Can ye puzzle it out?

Anatomy quiz question #1: Clipping puts what knee structures at risk?

 

image

If ye answered the medial or collateral ligaments and/or the medial or lateral meniscus (see Anatomy Lesson #7) then give yerself 15 points!

A wee aside: why doesn’t Dougal ever wear a kilt? He’s always dressed in breeches. I’d love ta know what the dickens that is all about! Mayhap he gits saddle sore or is jealous of Jamie’s knees? He seems jealous of everythin’ else about the lad!

Next, Dougal shoulders a friend or foe into the fire pit!

Anatomy quiz question #2: What body part(s) does Dougal use to shove the man into a fiery pit?

 

image

If ye answered acromion, point of shoulder and/or arm (see Anatomy Lesson #2 and Anatomy Lesson #3) then give yerself another 15 points!

Then, Dougal goes after Jamie big time. Whoa! Watch out Big Red! Yer ever lovin’ uncle is after ye!

image

Then, Angus (he looks so funny in his poufy kilt) joins the fray ta help Dougal beat up on Jamie. Murtagh, Jamie’s ever watchful god-father, stops Angus in his tracks wit’ a shinty stick to the nether regions! Sorry Angus, but ye shouldna ha’ been so cheeky strutting yer stuff to Mistress Beauchamp!

Anatomy quiz question #3: What body part(s) did Murtagh hurt?

 

image

Weel, ye dinna need an anatomy lesson ta’ figure this one out!  If ye answered testicles, baws or any of at least 100 other names, then gie yerself 50 points! Yep. Ye ken these parts are super important and worth a whole lot more points! Ouch! Nothin’ does it like a good whack ta the stones – and I don’t even ha’ any! I havena taught an Anatomy Lesson yet on these goodly body parts but I likely will.

image

Then Dougal and Jamie go at it over the shinty ball followed by a mess o’ blows ta Jamie who remains the high born Scottish gentleman that he is! Finally, Jamie has enough and wit’ a great heave, hoists Dougal o’er his right shoulder!

image

Anatomy quiz question #4: What body part might Jamie hae damaged wit’ this mightly effort (Dougal is a big man, aye)?

image

If ye said shoulder joint re-dislocation (see Anatomy Lesson #2) then gie yerself another 20 points!

When I saw Jamie standin’ there nodding to Claire (he always knows right where she is) with his right shoulder droopin’ and his palm turned  backwards me thinks, CRAP, he’s done it again!

image

What do I mean? Weel, once a shoulder has been dislocated, it’s much easier another time. Also, the position of Jamie’s drooping right upper limb is consistent wit’ an anterior dislocation which looks like this (Photo K – ken the black arrow on the acromion?):

image

Now adding up the points, what was yer final score? Kudos if it was 100%!

Now, I’m done wit’ this anatomy lesson, but I have more ta say about “The Gathering”. I just canna help meself!

I thought Claire is the only time traveler at Castle Leoch, but no, there are two others! First, there’s the lovely Fiona and Mrs. Fitz is sharpenin’ claws on her!

image

Then, there’s the elegant, hand wavin’, finger pointin’ Moore! He looks mighty dapper!

image

Next, I love where Murtagh explains the oath takin’ ta Claire. I swear she is the only woman he ever speaks to. Mayhap ‘tis because her smile is as sweet as Jamie’s mother? And, that gown! OMG! Terry and her team work their magic again!

image

Then, the hilarious scene between Claire and Angus over the “Spanish” sedative. Ha! She even spits her mouthful of port on the floor. Oh yeah, Claire! That is more like it – she an irreverent leddy wit’ a wicked sense of humor! If she and Angus weren’t at such odds, they’d probably be besties!

image

Next, I must riff on Claire’s cynical horse dung love potion for an unsuspecting Jamie. Handing it to that nasty lassie LogHair, Claire instructs her to scatter it on his threshold, click her heels together three times and recite “There’s no place like love,” “There’s no place like love.” I dinna ken if ye recognize it but this line is straight out of the Wizard of Oz where the Good Witch of the North tells Dorothy to click her heels together three times and repeat “There’s no place like home,”  “There’s no place like home!” Since the W of O was released in 1939 Claire could have seen it at a cinema. If ye believe in time travel, then it’s possible!

image

Finally, I love the intimate scene where Claire stumbles over Jamie in the stables. Fichu and ribbons not-wit’-standing, she left a trail of bread crumbs to mark her escape route? Ha! People, this is verra funny! I live in a forest and bread crumbs willna last more than a few minutes wit’ all the furry, wee beasties around. Would it be different in 18th Century Scotland?

After some difference of opinion, Claire reveals she walloped Dougal over the head with a chair. Jamie rubs the back o’ his heid sayin’ he hopes she left a good mark so Dougal will remember his error in judgment. Mayhap his rubbin’ is in sympathy fer puir Dougal? More likely, he’s feelin’ a 6” scar on the back o’ his own heid left by a wicked Lochaber ax (from the Outlander book) – likely wielded by his connivin’ uncle Dougal!

image

Here’s what one o’ those wicked 18th century things looks like:

image

OK, I’m leavin’ ye wit’ the photo I promised at the start o’ this lesson: what does a Scotsman wears under his kilt? I added the star, ye ken? Back in 2004 when this photo was taken, Queen Elizabeth did indeed visit the 1st Battalion of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. If ye wish ta see the full monty (I’m bettin’ ye do) then search online fer “Scotsman seated next to the Queen” and up, er, pops the whole kilt and kaboodle! Ha! This photo is a bit o’ an urban legend and Snopes rates it as un-determined authenticity. But, the Colonel (Snopes identifies him) sports such a cheeky grin that I canna help thinkin’ the photo is likely real – but, this man is no saying one way or the other!

image

I do hope ye enjoyed this post. Please tune in 14 days from now for Anatomy Lesson #10, Jamie’s back! Until then, I wish ye the happiest of holiday seasons. Be safe! Take good care of yer amazing bodies!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

All photos are credited to Starz,Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy 4th ed., Hollingshead’s Textbook of Anatomy, 5th ed., www.wikihow.com, www.wikipedia.org, Bodyspace.bodybuilding.com, www.sportsmed.or.nz, www.Radiopaedia.or, www.Wikipedia.org, www.home.southernct.edu, www.williammitchellsstudio.com, www.bodyspace.bodybuilder, www.thesportsphysio.wordpress.com, www.pinterest.com