Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy
Dissectible Me is a podcast that breaks down human anatomy into digestible 5-minute episodes. Created by Sam Webster and Chris Summers, it covers everything from bodily systems to specific anatomical details. Each episode is timed to deliver concise, focused knowledge within the five-minute limit.
Episodes
What is fascia?
Fascia is classically described as a series of sheets of connective tissue wrapping the body and compartments within it. It holds us together and gives us shape. But what is fascia?
What is an embryo?
The embryonic period in humans is the first 8 weeks after fertilisation. What happens during the embryonic period and why is it different to the foetal period?
Spinal nerves
The anatomy of spinal nerves is rather neat, but can also be confusing. Let me talk about the dorsal and ventral roots, sensory and motor neurones, the spinal nerve and its posterior and anterior rami.
Forearm anatomy
What anatomy would I include if I only had 5 minutes to talk about forearm? I think I'd group the muscles, movements and nerves together to better understand what movements would be affected by a nerve injury.
Sympathetic and parasympathetic effects on the heart
The autonomic nervous system innervates the sino-atrial node and controls the rate of contraction of the heart. What other effects do sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves have on the heart? I can think of two more.
Abdominal surface anatomy landmarks, quadrants and regions
There are a few anatomy landmarks of the abdomen, some of them bony, that we can palpate and use to understand what structures lie deep to the skin here. We can also use them to divide up the abdomen into either 4 imaginary quadrants or 6 regions to help use describe signs or symptoms to others.
Airway anatomy
Let's introduce the anatomy of the airway very briefly by starting at the nose and the mouth and working our way down to the alveoli.
Angle of Louis (or sternal angle)
The sternal angle is an important surface anatomy landmark of the chest, deep to which some major anatomical structures lie.
Synovial joint classifications
Synovial joints are specialised for movement. The shapes of the articulating surfaces define what movements are allowed, and we can anatomically classify synovial joints by these shapes and by these movements. We have hinge, ball and socket, plane, saddle and condyloid synovial joints.
Anatomical types of joints
Fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints and synovial joints. We can define them by what they are made of, and in turn, what they are made of tells us what movements they might allow.
Femur
The biggest bone in the body. What pertinent anatomical features should you be aware of?
Ovaries
What would I include if I only had 5 minutes to talk about the functional anatomy of the ovary?
Nerves in the inguinal canal
What nerves run through the inguinal canal and are they at risk of injury during an inguinal hernia repair?
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is part of the limbic system in the brain. What does that mean? What does it do? Where is it? In 5 minutes(ish)?
Oesophagus
The oesophagus is a muscular tube linking the pharynx to the stomach. The muscles of the face and pharynx are skeletal and under somatic control, whereas the muscles of the stomach are smooth and autonomic. Where does this change happen?
Ossicles of the ear
Why do we have three tiny bones in each ear?
Stroke
When we talk about "stroke" or a cerebrovascular event we're describing reduced blood flow to a region of the brain. What are the different types and how does this relate to our functional anatomical knowledge of the brain, brainstem and blood supply?
Trochlear nerve (CN IV) palsy
The trochlear nerve (CN IV) has the single task of innervating the superior oblique muscle. Unfortunately the actions of this muscle on the eye are a little awkward to understand, so how is the eye affected if the trochlear nerve is injured?
Abducens nerve (CN VI) palsy
The abducens nerve is one of those lovely cranial nerves that only does one thing, making learning it nice and easy. But what happens when it is injured, and how can that knowledge be helpful?
Oculomotor nerve (CN III) palsy
What happens to the eye when the oculomotor nerve is injured or compressed? How can these signs and symptoms inform us about what might be happening inside the cranial cavity?
Pupillary light reflex
The pupillary light reflex can let you test the optic nerve, midbrain and oculomotor nerve just by shining a light into someone's eye. Let's talk about the anatomy and how this works.
External ear anatomy
Those folds and lumps of the external ear have all got names. Let's feel the concha, tragus, antitragus, helix, antihelix and opening of the external acoustic meatus together.
Acoustic reflex
The acoustic reflex is a mechanism that protects the ear from loud sounds. It is also called the stapedial reflex, middle-ear-muscle reflex and auditory reflex, among other names. What is the neuroanatomical pathway of this reflex, how does it work, how are the smallest bone and muscle in the body involved, and how can it be useful in determining problems with hearing?
Hypothalamus anatomy and functions
The hypothalamus, as its name suggests, lies in the brain inferior and anterior to the thalamus. It is a central structure in modulating many autonomic functions and homeostasis. What does that mean, and what does it do?
Fractured neck of femur anatomy
What do we mean by the neck of the femur and why do we worry (more than usual) about a fracture here?
Blood brain barrier
The blood brain barrier describes how the endothelial cells of the capillaries in the brain are tightly stuck together by tight junctions, wrapped in the feet of astrocytes and lined by a basement lamina. This stops most molecules from moving between the blood and the brain through any gaps. Instead, transporters are needed to transport molecules across the endothelial cells. Why does this happen
Ventricular system of the brain
The brain has spaces inside it, interconnected and filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid is continually produced here and flows from chamber to chamber, sometimes through narrow passageways, until it leaves to surround the brain and spinal cord.
Cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain, brainstem and spinal cord, it fills spaces within them, is continually produced and drained away, but why?
Elbow muscles
The muscles that flex and extend the elbow joint. Biceps brachii, brachialis, triceps brachii, anconeus and brachioradialis. What they attach to, how they move the bones and the nerves that innervate them in 5 minutes(ish).
Brain death neuroanatomy
The term "brain death" can be used to refer to irreparable damage of the brainstem or cerebrum. By considering the differing functional anatomy of the brainstem and the cerebrum we can more clearly understand what type of injury is being referred to when this term is used in relation to a particular person. Functional neuroanatomy also helps us understand why movement of the eyes, groaning, and ev
Midbrain neuroanatomy
The midbrain is the upper part of the brainstem. In here we find tracts running to and from the spinal cord and cerebrum. We find nuclei and groups of neurones such as the substantia nigra, red nucleus, periaqueductal grey, colliculi and reticular formation. Cranial nerves III and IV come out of the brainstem. What do all of these things do? What does all this mean?
Muscles of the knee
Quadriceps femoris and the hamstrings are powerful extensors and flexors of the knee respectively, but they also cross the hip joint. Let's talk about their anatomy.
Pelvic floor anatomy
The pelvic floor (or pelvic diaphragm) describes the structures at the lowest point of the pelvis, largely muscles, that support the pelvic organs directly and everything else inside the torso. Let's explain concisely the important anatomy here.
Finger tendon pulleys and trigger finger anatomy
The flexor tendons of the fingers run into synovial tunnels that let them move freely as we strengthen and relax our grip. These tunnels are tied down to the bone by some extraordinarily strong annular and cruciform pulleys that keep the tendons close to the bone. Let's describe their anatomy and their naming.
Arches of the foot
There are 3 arches in the foot: a medial longitudinal arch, a lateral longitudinal arch and a transverse arch. Why do humans have arches in their feet? What's the anatomy here?
Plantar aponeurosis or plantar fascia
The plantar aponeurosis (or plantar fascia) is a very strong connective structure on the sole of the foot, deep to the skin, running from the heel bone to the toes. It protects the structures in the plantar foot, supports the longitudinal arches and returns stored energy during the gait cycle to improve the efficiency of walking and running. It can be injured leading to pain anterior to the calcan
Uterus anatomy
The uterus lies in the pelvis and has three layers. The endometrium is a specialised layer able to receive a blastocyst and with it form a placenta to support a growing foetus. The myometrium is a thick smooth muscle layer able to stretch to match the growth of the developing foetus and then expel it at birth. The perimetrium is a thin covering to the uterus that is largely peritoneum. The cervix
Musculovenous pump anatomy
What is the musculovenous pump? How does it help lift all that blood from your legs back up to your heart when you're walking around? Let's talk about the veins and their valves, where they lie in the lower limbs and the deep fascia that surrounds them and the muscles.
Femoral triangle
The femoral triangle is an anatomical region in the upper anterior thigh bordered by the inguinal ligament, sartorius muscle and adductor longus muscle. In here we find the femoral nerve, femoral artery and femoral vein with some lymph nodes. These large blood vessels can be used to access vascular structures in the lower limb and torso, including the heart.
Anatomy of fertilisation
The ovum (or oocyte or egg) passes from the ovary into the uterine tube (or Fallopian tube). Spermatozoa pass from the vagina through the cervix into the uterus and then into the uterine tube. Fertilisation happens here, in the uterine tube. How does all this happen? What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Big shoulder muscles
Let me try to describe the locations, functions and innervation of the major muscles of the shoulder joint: pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, deltoid, trapezius and the rhomboids.
Peripheral nervous system
In short, the peripheral nervous system is all of the nervous tissue that is not in the central nervous system. Except for cranial nerves I and II. What about autonomic nerves? What are ganglia? And the enteric nervous system?
Central nervous system
What do we mean by "the central nervous system"? What anatomical structures are included when we say, "the brain"? Are cranial nerves part of the central nervous system? What is inside the spinal cord?
The 4 parasympathetic ganglia of the head
Let me introduce to you the four parasympathetic ganglia of the head. Meet the ciliary ganglion, the otic ganglion, the pterygopalatine ganglion and the submandibular ganglion. Why do they exist and what do they do?
Foetal heart adaptations
The foetus gets its oxygen from the placenta and not from the lungs when in the uterus. The lungs are still growing and little blood flows through them. The foramen ovale is a flap valve that lets blood pass from the right atrium directly into the left atrium, avoiding the lungs. From the left side of the heart this blood will flow into the aorta and off around the body. The ductus arteriosus is a
Cerebellar tonsils and coning
How are the tonsils associated with the cerebellum? How can they be herniated and what does this mean? What is coning? Why is this an important sign? I'll explain.
Cerebellum
In 5 minutes, what is the anatomy of the cerebellum and what does it do? Why does it have 80% of all of the neurones of the brain? Why does it look like a little brain?
Spermatic cord
The spermatic cord carries all the things the testis needs to and from the torso. What is the spermatic cord made of, what are its layers, where do these layers come from, and what are all the things inside the spermatic cord?
Foregut, midgut and hindgut
How can understanding the embryology of the gastrointestinal tract as foregut, midgut and hindgut help us understand the blood supply and venous drainage of the adult GI tract?
Somatic nervous system
"Soma" means "of the body" so what is the somatic nervous system? How is this dividing up of the nervous system useful? I'll try to describe this neuroanatomy concept in 5 minutes.
Ovarian and uterine artery anastomosis
The ovarian artery branches from the aorta and supplies blood to the ovary. The uterine artery branches from the internal iliac artery and supplies blood to the uterus. But they link, and in doing so provide a collateral circulation route between the abdominal aorta and pelvic internal iliac artery. Let's discuss.
Trendelenburg Sign
What is the anatomy behind Trendelenburg gait? Why does the hip drop? Which hip drops? Which side is the weakness on? What might cause this? I'll try to describe this clearly in 5 minutes.
Major motor nerves of the lower limb
A common request is for me to summarise the nerves of the lower limb and how they innervate the muscles. If we think about the parts of the lower limb (thigh, leg and foot) and their compartments we can link each nerve to each compartment and then easily remember every nerve that innervates every muscle. Well, that's the theory.
Aortic dissection
An aortic dissection occurs when the innermost layer of the aorta tears and blood pushes into the walls of the aorta, separating the layers and causing some very dangerous problems. Let's talk through this process and think about the anatomy that might also be affected.
Anatomical snuff box
The anatomical snuff box describes a clinically useful surface anatomy landmark on the back of the thumb at the wrist, outlined by a triangular set of tendons. In here we find the scaphoid bone and some other structures. I'll try to describe what you can find here on yourself.
Small intestine
There is so much that we could talk about when looking at the anatomy of the small intestine, but if I only had 5 minutes what would I choose as the most important ideas?
Axilla
The axilla is the armpit, and an anatomical space linking the torso with the upper limb. Let's define its borders so we better understand where it is and then we can talk briefly about the structures that we find passing through or residing in there.
Hyoid bone
The anatomy of this slender U-shaped bone in the neck at the top of the larynx is crucial to the normal functions of the larynx and swallowing, but why?
Parasympathetic nervous system
Squeezing in a little more detail about the parasympathetic nervous system I can talk about all of the cranial nerves that carry parasympathetic neurones, brainstem nuclei, the parasympathetic ganglia of the head and the functions of this division of the nervous system in about 5 minutes.
Sympathetic nervous system
What are the most important points about the functional anatomy of the sympathetic nervous system? And what central nervous system structures drive the sympathetic nervous system? In 5ish minutes?
What is the autonomic nervous system?
I'll try to describe what it is and its anatomy in a concise 5 minutes. Ish.
Posterior triangle of the neck
We can use surface anatomy landmarks to define triangles in the neck to help us locate anatomical structures deep to the skin. Within the posterior triangle of the neck we can find the roots of the brachial plexus, the subclavian artery and vein, and most importantly the accessory nerve (CN XI).
Anterior triangle of the neck
The anterior triangle of the neck is a region defined by surface anatomy landmarks that help you locate critical anatomical structures. Let's palpate together!
Hip joint
The bones, ligaments and synovial bits of the hip joint between the acetabulum of the pelvis and the head of the femur.
Lumbosacral plexus
The lumbosacral plexus is the anatomy of the low back and pelvis that forms the major nerves of the lower abdomen, pelvis and lower limb. It is not as susceptible to injury as the brachial plexus so clinically we understand the anatomy of this plexus a little differently, but it is important to be able to recall the spinal nerve roots of the major nerves here and the functions that will be lost if
Upper and lower motor neurones
Understanding the anatomy of upper and lower motor neurones can be very useful when trying to use the results of an examination, signs and symptoms to diagnose the location of a neurological lesion.
Spinal tracts neuroanatomy
Spinal tracts are bundles of neuronal axons that run through the spinal cord and brainstem. If we think about how neurones work, how they are bundled together with similar functions, which direction the action potentials are running in and the names of these tracts, we can remember what they all do.
Referred pain
Referred pain is felt at a different location in the body from the site that is causing the pain. There seems to be an anatomical reason for this and understanding the theories can help with diagnosis and patient care.
Urethra
Talking about the anatomy of the urethra and better understanding why women get more urinary tract infections than men.
Blood supply to the hand
The radial and ulnar arteries both supply blood to the hand and meet as two arches that send branches off to the fingers. This anatomy gives redundancy for the blood supply to the hand so let's talk about where these arteries run and how they branch.
Thumb movements
The names of the movements of the thumb can be tricky to remember, but knowing the movements gives you the names of the muscles that cause these movements.
Hand movements anatomy (wrist and fingers)
Relating the movements of the hand to the nerves responsible is an important clinical skill. Let's see if I can describe the movements of the wrist and fingers, and the nerves that trigger these movements in 5 minutes.
Erection
The anatomy of erection of the clitoris and the penis is very similar and a rather neat mechanism involving the parasympathetic nervous system.
Bronchial and pulmonary circulation in the lungs
Did you know that alongside the pulmonary arteries taking poorly oxygenated blood to the lungs run bronchial arteries carrying well oxygenated blood? Where do they come from, and where does this blood go to?
Ureters
The ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and are muscular tubes lined by a urothelium. They use peristaltic contractions to send the urine in the right direction so do not rely on gravity, and because they run from the mid-abdomen down to the true pelvis they receive a number of arterial branches as they travel and likewise use nerves from a number of spinal levels to send the pain
Kidneys
The kidneys manage the amount of water and salts in the body, regulate blood pressure, stimulate red blood cell synthesis, and remove toxins among other jobs. Let's talk about the key points of their anatomy for 5 minutes.
The Clavicle
This episode explores the anatomy of the clavicle or collarbone, the smallest long bone in the human body. We’ll dive into its shape, size, joints, etymology, & muscular attachments. Ever wondered about the clavicles of a T. rex? By the end of this episode, you wonder no more!
Breathing anatomy
The anatomy of breathing uses a number of muscles to change pressures inside the thorax and adds more muscles and more movements when we need more air. At rest you're just using your diaphragm and the elastic recoil of the lungs themselves, when you're a little more active and running around the intercostal muscles start to move the ribs, and when you really need to pull air in and push it out you
Cochlea and hearing
In this episode, we unravel the anatomy of the cochlea, the intricate organ that makes hearing possible. Discover how this tiny structure converts sound waves into electrical impulses, bridging the gap between the ear and the brain.
Intercostal muscles
Three layers of intercostal muscles run between the ribs to form the thoracic wall, resist the pressure changes of respiration and move the ribs. What would happen if these muscles were not there?
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