Tag: lotteverbeek

Posted on

Fun Fact: Depressor Anguli Oris

Anatomy def: The paired depressor anguli oris (sing. angulus) are one of many muscles of facial expression. Spanning from mandible (lower jaw) to edges of mouth, these depressors pull corners of the mouth downward, as in a frown.

Outlander def: The “frightened, angry and verra scart muscles!” Young Ian displays a fierce frown as he watches the wicked witch wriggle and writhe!!! 

Learn about depressor anguli oris in Anatomy Lesson #11,  Jamie’s Face or Ye do it Face to Face, a lesson covering muscles of facial expression.

Checkout the downturn at the corners of young Ian’s mouth – especially noticeable on his right side. This is depressor anguli oris, adding marked emphasis to his displeasure with ghastly Geillis!

Read about young Ian’s terrifying meet-and-greet with the mad Mrs. Abernathy.  Diana doesn’t describe frowning as part and parcel of their weirdly intimate encounter, but one might well imagine the corners of his mouth turning downward. Here from Voyager book , Ian explains to Uncle Jamie:

He had had little opportunity to feel homesick, though. Hercules—or Atlas—had marched him up the stairs into what was obviously Mistress Abernathy’s bedroom. Mrs. Abernathy was waiting for him, dressed in a soft, loose sort of gown with odd-looking figures embroidered round the hem of it in red and silver thread.

“I didna want to answer her, but I couldna seem to help myself. I felt verra warm, like I was fevered, and I couldna seem to move easy. But I answered all her questions, and her just sitting there, pleasant as might be, watching me close wi’ those big green eyes.”

“I knew ye’d come, Uncle Jamie,” he said, with a tremulous smile, “but ye left it a bit late, aye?” The smile widened, then broke, and he began to tremble. He blinked hard, fighting back tears.

See Ian’s depressor anguli oris muscles at work in Outlander episode 312, The Bakra. The frowning lad is grossed out after witnessing the Bakra’s goat blood bath! No sweet Mary here. Gah!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

Posted on

Fun Fact: Scapula

Outlander episode 312, The Bakra

Anatomy def: Scapulae are paired, flat triangular bones, each forming the back part of the human shoulder – commonly known as the shoulder blades.

Outlander def: Twin blades, shadowed and drenched with goats’ blood, reveal themselves to a terrified young Ian. Puir lad!

Learn about scapulae in Anatomy Lesson #2, When Claire Meets Jamie or How to Fall in Love While Reducing a Dislocated Shoulder Joint! 

Scapulae are extremely important bones because together with each upper arm bone (humerus) they form the shoulder joints. Large, flat and triangular in shape, each scapula also creates the point of the shoulder (acromion) and provide important attachments for muscles such as trapezius, deltoid, and biceps brachii. Fractures of the scapula commonly take 6-8 weeks to heal and some types may require surgery to stabilize. Ergo, take good care of your scapulae!

Read about Jamie’s scapulae in Voyager book. Ahhhh….well, this passage contains a wee bit more anatomical detail than just shoulder blades! <G>

He made a small grunting sound of content as I moved his head into my lap and began to stroke it, rubbing his temples, smoothing back the thick wavy mass of his hair. The back of his neck was damp; I lifted the hair away and blew softly on it, seeing the smooth fair skin prickle into gooseflesh at the nape of his neck.

“Oh, that feels good,” he murmured. Despite my resolve not to touch him beyond the demands of caretaking until everything between us was resolved, I found my hands molding themselves to the clean, bold lines of his neck and shoulders, seeking the hard knobs of his vertebrae and the broad, flat planes of his shoulder blades.

See Geillis’ scapulae emerge from a film of goats’ blood in Outlander episode 312, The Bakra. What a vision!!!

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

Follow me on:

Photo Credit: Sony/Starz

Posted on

Fun Fact: Gluteus Maximus

example of gluteus maximus from Outlander TV show

Starz episode 312 The Bakra 

Anatomy def: Gluteus maximus is the most superficial muscle of each rump cheek.  Buttock contour is underpinned by three gluteal muscles (the glutes) of which gluteus maximus is largest and greatest. The extremely important Gluteus maximus::

  • extends the thigh backward
  • rotates the thigh outward
  • maintains the trunk in an upright position

Outlander def: Mistress Abernathy’s sensuous curve compels Ian’s horrified gaze as she washes away the gout of goat’s blood! Gluteus maximus underlies that seductive right buttock. He may be no a virgin, but wee Ian is petrified – the Bakra is not fair Brighidat of the print shop (nor Mary of Voyager book)! Yikes!

The Blood Bath! Let’s momentarily diverge from this Fun Fact to ask, could Geillis really bathe in a font filled with goat’s blood? Well, scientifically speaking, it depends.

  • No, not if the blood went directly from goats to the font – it would quickly clot leaving Geillis to soak in blood pudding!
  • Yes, if salt or vinegar were added to the blood, as these culinary anticoagulants likely rest in the cupboards of Rose Hall!
  • The cost? Staggering! It would take 169.5, 70-pound goats to produce 100 gallons (303 liters) of blood and her sunken tub is a big ‘un!  That’s a huge herd to sacrifice – Annekje Johansen would croak, not to mention Father Fogden! Meh!

Now, back to our Fun Fact!

Learn about gluteus maximus in Anatomy Lesson #1: Jamie’s Tush or Bottom’s Up!. Yes, the very first anatomy lesson published in October 2014! Jamie’s bottom including his gluteus maximus are admired from a purely scientific perspective! 

Read about buttocks in Voyager book. Turns out, buttocks are Herself’s fav body parts to describe! Grand choice, Diana! <G>

He was naked, his back turned to me as he stood in front of the chamber pot he had just pulled from its resting place beneath the washstand. I admired the squared roundness of his buttocks, the small muscular hollow that dented each one, and their pale vulnerability.

See Mistress Abernathy’s gluteus maximus form the lovely contour of her right buttock in Starz episode 312, The Bakra!

A deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist