9 IN THE DISSECTING ROOM: THE SKELETON Flashcards
What is the initial impression of the human body in a dissecting room?
The human body is perceived as meat, lacking the precision of plastic teaching models.
How does the flesh of a human arm compare to that of animals?
The flesh looks surprisingly like chicken or turkey once the outer skin is removed.
What does Dr. Ben Ollivere demonstrate to the narrator?
He demonstrates the aorta and other organs in the upper chest of a male body.
What happens to organs in live people compared to those in dead bodies?
Live organs throb and glisten, while dead organs lose that vitality.
What is the significance of the wrist according to Dr. Ollivere?
The wrist is a complex structure that must allow for complete mobility while accommodating muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
What is the friction coefficient of cartilage compared to ice?
Cartilage has a friction coefficient five times less than ice.
What does Dr. Ollivere say about suicide methods involving cutting wrists?
It is hard to successfully cut wrists due to the protective fascial sheath around arteries.
What is the policy regarding body donation at the University of Nottingham Medical School?
They keep only one-third of a transected body; the rest is returned to the family.
What is the composition of embalming fluid?
Embalming fluid is mostly formaldehyde and alcohol.
What historical challenges did anatomists face in acquiring bodies for dissection?
Human dissection was forbidden, and there were not enough bodies available for study.
What law was passed in Britain in response to the shortage of bodies for dissection?
The Anatomy Act was passed in 1832, allowing dissection of unclaimed bodies from workhouses.
Who authored the influential anatomical work known as Gray’s Anatomy?
Henry Gray authored Gray’s Anatomy, first published in 1858.
What was notable about the illustrations in Gray’s Anatomy?
They were created by Henry Vandyke Carter, who had to draw them in reverse.
What was the relationship between Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter?
Gray was petty and did not share royalties or properly credit Carter in the publication.
What does Dr. Ollivere mean by saying we are both floppy and rigid?
Our skeletal structure needs to be both firm and flexible to allow for movement and stability.
What did the Anatomy Act of 1832 aim to address?
It aimed to increase the supply of bodies for dissection by allowing unclaimed bodies from workhouses.
What was a significant result of the increased demand for bodies in medical schools?
A brisk trade in illicitly obtained bodies arose due to the shortage.
What must happen to your knees when you stand?
They must lock into position and then immediately unlock and bend up to 140 degrees.
How many bones do humans usually have?
206 bones, though this number can vary.
What is a common variation in the number of ribs among humans?
About one person in every eight has an extra, thirteenth pair of ribs.
What are sesamoid bones?
Bones that are mostly tiny and scattered throughout tendons, primarily in the hands and feet.
How many bones are there in human feet?
52 bones.
What are the primary functions of bones?
- Provide support
- Protect internal organs
- Manufacture blood cells
- Store chemicals
- Transmit sound
- Possibly bolster memory
What hormone is produced in bones and what are its functions?
Osteocalcin, which helps manage glucose levels, boosts male fertility, influences moods, and aids memory.
What percentage of a bone is inorganic material?
About 70 percent.
What is the most abundant protein in the body?
Collagen.
What is hydroxyapatite?
A mineral that combines with collagen to create strong structures like bones and teeth.
How do bones respond to exercise?
They grow bigger and stronger.
What is unique about the healing of bone tissue?
Bone does not scar after healing.
What is a tendon?
A connective tissue that connects muscles to bone.
What is a ligament?
A connective tissue that connects bone to bone.
How many muscles are in the human body?
More than six hundred muscles.
What are flexor and extensor muscles responsible for?
- Flexor muscles close joints
- Extensor muscles open joints
What percentage of body weight is muscle in a reasonably slender man?
About 40 percent.
What happens to muscle tone when not used?
It rapidly decreases.
How many bones and muscles are in each human hand?
29 bones and 17 muscles.
What muscle is often missing in about 14 percent of people?
Palmaris longus.
What is the role of opposable thumbs?
Allow for a good grip and manipulation of objects.
What makes human thumbs unique compared to other primates?
They are more pliant and mobile.
What did Pierre Barbet’s experiments reveal about the wrist and hand?
Nails through the wrist can support body weight, but nails through the palm cannot.
What three functions must the human foot perform with each step?
- Shock absorber
- Platform
- Pushing organ
What is the average walking pace of a human?
About 4.25 feet per second.
What percentage of body weight do humans devote to their skeleton?
8.5 percent.
What anatomical change occurred with human evolution to upright walking?
A wholesale redistribution of weight load.
What is a common issue related to the spine in modern humans?
Slipped disk, caused by pressure on cartilage disks.
What anatomical change is associated with becoming upright?
Wholesale redistribution of our weight load
This change has led to various consequences, including increased pain.
What is a common consequence of becoming upright in modern humans?
Back pain
Back pain is the most common chronic complaint as we age.
What percentage of adults are estimated to have slipped disks?
1 to 3 percent
Slipped disks occur due to extra pressure on cartilage disks that support the spine.
How many adults have taken at least a week off work due to back pain?
60 percent
This statistic highlights the prevalence of back pain in adults.
How many joint replacements are performed annually in the United States?
Over 800,000
These replacements are primarily for hips and knees, mostly due to wear and tear.
What is a significant characteristic of cartilage?
It cannot repair or replenish itself
This makes the maintenance of cartilage critical for joint health.
What is the best way to maintain cartilage health?
Move around a lot
Keeping cartilage bathed in synovial fluid is crucial for its health.
Fill in the blank: The worst thing you can do for your cartilage is to pack on a lot of extra _______.
body weight
What are the two incompatible functions of the hips?
- Provide mobility for the lower limbs
- Support the weight of the body
These functions create frictional pressure on cartilage.
What was the typical surgical procedure for hip issues prior to advancements in medical science?
Fuse the hip
This operation relieved pain but resulted in a permanently stiffened leg.
Who is John Charnley?
An orthopedic surgeon known for advancements in hip replacement materials and methods
He developed a design that greatly reduced wear by using stainless steel and plastic.
At what rate do bones lose mass from late middle age onward?
About 1 percent a year
This contributes to the prevalence of broken bones in the elderly.
What percentage of people over seventy-five who break their hips are unable to care for themselves?
40 percent
This statistic highlights the severity of hip fractures in the elderly.
What percentage of individuals die within thirty days after a hip fracture?
10 percent
This underscores the critical nature of hip fractures for elderly patients.
What is the quip by Sir Astley Cooper regarding birth and death?
We enter the world through the pelvis and leave it through the hip
This statement reflects on the anatomical significance of the hip in life.
What proportion of men and women do not break any bones at all in old age?
- Three-quarters of men
- Half of women
This indicates that not all elderly individuals experience severe bone issues.
Who was Jakob Henle?
A German anatomist known for his discoveries related to various anatomical structures
His contributions include Henle’s ampulla, ligament, and tubules.
