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.
