Tag: artemis

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Fun Fact: Breast

Common Use Def: The breast is one of two soft, protruding organs on the upper front of a woman’s torso that secrete milk after birth.

Anatomy Def:  But, the scientific definition rightly includes male and female breasts as both are derived from the same embryonic tissue and diseases occur in the breasts of both sexes.

Outlander Def: Taming-of-the-sea organs? Or, so goes the argument posited by Captain Raines of the Artemis!

Learn about the breast in Anatomy Lesson #51 The Breast – Male and Female.

Anatomy Lesson #51 was not written to be titillating (hah).

Seriously, it was written as a public service. The incidence of breast disease is so high, it behoves one to understand breast structure and function so as to better understand prognosis, disease progression and treatment options should the need arise.

Breast anatomy also helps us understand the diseases plaguing the breast: cancer, cysts, fibrocystic changes, mastitis, gynecomastia, to name a few.

The worst: Though breast cancer in males is relatively rare, only 1 per 1000 adult males, the incidence of invasive breast cancer in US women is 1 in 8!!!

Read about the breast in Outlander books; there’s a mess of quotes to choose from! <G> This one is particularly special…  From Voyager, the reunion between Claire and A. Malcolm:

A little reluctantly, I took his hand, and stepped out of the inadequate shelter of the remains of my dress. He drew me gently in, to stand between his knees as he sat on the bed. Then he kissed me softly, once on each breast, and laid his head between them, his breath coming warm on my bare skin. “Your breast is like ivory,” he said softly, the word almost “breest” in the Highland Scots that always grew broad when he was truly moved. His hand rose to cup one breast, his fingers tanned into darkness against my own pale glow. 

See Captain Raines inform Claire that if a woman bears her breasts before a tempest, the seas will be calmed in. Huh??? Industriously chewing (tough mutton?), the Captain waxes poetic about the sailing superstition:

“After all, on this ship, your very presence is ill luck… By rights, you and Mistress MacKimmie should this moment be bare breasted! … A woman’s bare breasts calm an angry sea… The figure head at the bow, she bears her breasts for you, and prevents us being subject to any curses.”

Claire is not amused. Not on Jamie’s watch!!! 

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credit: Outlander ep 307, The doldrums

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Fun Fact: Arrector Pilus

Anatomy Def: Arrector pili (pl.) are small muscles attached to hair follicles. Contraction of these muscles pulls hairs upright, sometimes causing “goose bumps.” 

Outlander Def: Beard hairs grant Claire endless moments of fascination. Stroking beard hairs causes arrector pili muscles to contract and raise the hairs –  making shaving easier.

Learn about arrector pili (pl) muscles in Anatomy Lesson #6, “Claire’s Hair – Jamie’s Mane” or “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!”

Arrector pili are smalll spindle-shaped muscles at the base of our body hairs. Under involuntary control, various stimuli cause arrector pili to contract including stroking, cold, fright, and aggression. Contraction may also aid expulsion of sebum from skin sebaceous glands. 

Read about Jamie’s facial hairs in Voyager book, where, aboard the Artemis, Claire contemplates his substantial beard. Herself has a such way with words!

“… I wish you wouldn’t shave your beard just yet,” I added, as he bent to set down the tray he was holding. 

“Why not?” He glanced curiously over his shoulder at me, and I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.

“Er … well. It’s a bit … different.” 

“Oh, aye?” He stood up and took a step toward me.

… The dark blue eyes had slanted into triangles of amusement. 

“How, different?” he asked. 

“Well, it … um …” I brushed my fingers vaguely past my burning cheeks. “It feels different. When you kiss me. On my … skin.” 

See Claire gently stroke Jamie’s beard in Outlander episode 313, Eye of the Storm. Warning! Warning! Arrector pili muscles on high alert! <G>

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

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Fun Fact: mentalis

image of Marsali, Fergus and Jamie from Outlander TV show.

Starz episode 309, The doldrums

Anatomy def: Paired mentalis muscles arise from mandible and insert into skin of chin. These elevate and wrinkle chin skin and, when fully contracted, protrude the lower lip.

Outlander def:  The “you-canna-tell-me-and-Fergus-what-to-do” muscles. Marsali is spectacular at wrinkling chin-skin as she glares at her step-father aboard the rocking Artemis. When an immovable object meets an unstoppable force – dinna mess with #defiantmarsali!

Learn about mentalis muscles in Antomy Lesson #26, Jamie’s Chin – Manly Mentus.

Because mentalis muscles wrinkle chin skin and protrude lower lip, these are  sometimes termed the “pouting muscles.” Particularly useful to express doubt or displeasure! (See above: Marsali)  <G> 

Read about chins in Voyager book: pouty, pugnacious, stubbled, stubborn, thoughtful, pointed, expressive… Herself covers all the chin-bits because chins are very expressive facial structures. Aye? A great quote about Marsali’s chin. Pssst…… please lass, dinna address your step-mum this way! We love our Claire and you will, too. Give her a chance!

I was writing in our shared cabin, making surgical notes on a minor amputation—two smashed toes on one of the foredeck hands. I had just completed a drawing of the surgical site, when a shadow darkened the doorway of the cabin, and I looked up to see Marsali standing there, chin thrust out pugnaciously.

“I need to know something,” she said firmly. “I dinna like ye, and I reckon ye ken that, but Da says you’re a wisewoman, and I think you’re maybe an honest woman, even if ye are a whore, so you’ll maybe tell me.”

See Marsali’s pugnacious chin in Starz episode 309, The Doldrums, as she confronts Jamie (and later in the same episode, she confronts Claire). Ruined reputation or no, she will have her Frenchy-Fergus!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

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Photo Credit: Sony/Starz