Internal heart

A preview of things to come Take a deep breath and relax. Before we consider the development of the heart’s internal anatomy, let’s take stock of a few things we already know. That will give us the confidence to move on! So far in our heart development discussion, we have considered a hollow primitive heart […]

External form of the heart

The arterial end of the primitive heart delivers blood to the paired dorsal aortae—longitudinal vessels on each side of the notochord. The vessels that connect the heart to the dorsal aortae bend around the foregut from ventral to dorsal. These aortic arch arteries pass through swellings in the neck region filled with mesenchyme known as […]

33. Pericardium and heart

Optional Reading Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th ed., Overview of mediastinum section through Clinical box: Heart. Would a review be helpful? We already covered the location of the pericardium and heart, the pericardium, and the external anatomy of the heart in the introduction to the thoracic cavity. Internal anatomy of heart Overview of chambers The adult […]

5. The vertebral column

Optional Reading Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th ed., Vertebral Column section (only the sections on intervertebral discs, longitudinal ligaments), Movements of vertebral column, and Curvatures of vertebral column. The vertebral column (“backbone” or “spine”) consists of a series of bones, the vertebrae, firmly connected together by joints and ligaments. The vertebral column is the “axis” of […]

12. The thoracic wall

Optional Reading Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th ed., Overview of Thorax section through The bottom line: Muscles and neurovasculature of thoracic wall. The walls surrounding the thoracic cavity are made from layers of muscles and fascia that are reinforced by the thoracic skeleton (“rib cage”). The thoracic wall is cone-shaped; narrower above and wider below. The […]

Lab 4: Dissection: Axilla, Brachial Plexus, and Arm

Dissector instructions Tap the Dissector Instructions menu on the left side of your screen to open the steps of your dissection. It’s sticky, so it will scroll with you as you progress through the lab. Need to log in to view the dissector? Tap here for instructions on how to show the keyboard on the […]

Lab 3: Dissection: Shoulder and Pectoral Region

Dissector instructions Tap the Dissector Instructions menu on the left side of your screen to open the steps of your dissection. It’s sticky, so it will scroll with you as you progress through the lab. Need to log in to view the dissector? Tap here for instructions on how to show the keyboard on the […]

Lab 2, Station 6: Muscles of the Back and Posterior Shoulder

Lab 2 navigation Complete anatomy Deep muscles of the back The prosection is in the prone position: Let’s begin with muscles that extend the spine and head. These are worth knowing about since back pain and muscle spasm are so common. Splenius Muscles Splenius translates to “bandage”—indeed these muscles look like bandages applied to the […]

Lab 2, Station 5: Spinal Nerves

Lab 2 navigation On the whiteboard, draw a cross section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves. You can omit the vertebra in your drawing if you like. Label the following in your drawing: ■Dorsal and ventral horns of gray ■Dorsal and ventral roots ■Dorsal root ganglion ■Spinal nerve ■Dorsal and ventral rami Questions Which […]

Lab 2, Station 4: Spinal Cord

Lab 2 navigation Complete anatomy Spinal nerves Identify the following on the spinal cord prosection or isolated spinal cord: ■Dorsal and ventral roots—because the cadaver is prone, only the dorsal roots will be easily visible. Rootlets gather together to form the roots. ■Dorsal root ganglion—what does this contain? ■Spinal nerves—formed by the union of dorsal […]