Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

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.

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.

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?

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. 

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?

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.

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?

I'll try to describe what it is and its anatomy in a concise 5 minutes. Ish.

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).

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!

The bones, ligaments and synovial bits of the hip joint between the acetabulum of the pelvis and the head of the femur.

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 injured.

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 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 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.

Talking about the anatomy of the urethra and better understanding why women get more urinary tract infections than men.

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.

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.

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.