Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

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?