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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: nasalis

fun fact, nasalis, nose, nostril

Anatomy def: Nasalis is a small muscle of facial expression, one on each side of the nose. To be precise, the muscle’s full name is musculus nasalis; musculus is Latin for “little mouse under the skin,” referring to our muscles. <g> Each nasalis has two parts: one part flares the alae (nostril flaps) and another part constricts the nostrils.

Outlander def: Nose muscles flaring the nostrils of hearty horses and hostile Heilanders!

Learn about the nasalis muscle in Anatomy Lesson #28, The Savvy Sniffer Sniffer – Claire’s Nose Knows!

Read about flaring nostrils in Voyager book. No quotes that match our image, but here is one about Jamie. Just understand that nostrils do not flare unless nasalis muscles are constricted. Herself provides <G>!

Jamie’s lips pressed tight together and his nostrils flared white. Then he whirled on his heel and was gone without speaking. Rapid steps sounded on the boards, and a muffled slam came from the far end of the passage.

Want to know why Jamie’s nostrils flared white? Read the book!

See Angus’ flare his nostrils in Starz episode 210, Prestonpans! This fiesty fiend’s nasalis muscles are fully contracted. He smells those Redcoats and he doesna like the stench. Angus’ nostrils are so flared, they produce white lines aside his alae! Do you see them? Thank you Angus, for being a perfect anatomical model!

A  deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist