Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

The Tonsils

This week let’s take a gander at the anatomy of the tonsils, specifically those almond-shaped clumps of lymphoid tissue that act as immune cell cark parks for the upper aerodigestive tract.
Terms covered this week; Palatine, nasopharyngeal & lingual tonsils. Adenoids, Waldeyer’s ring, Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) & Peyer’s patches. Also covered are Tonsillitis & Tonsillectomy. Two words that have more letter Ls than seems necessary!   

The Anatomy of Taste

This week, let’s explore the anatomy of taste and the cranial nerves that facilitate this sensation at different parts of the tongue. We compare the special sensation of taste to general sensation and highlight where and how it differs.
Terms covered this week are; taste buds, lingual papillae, chorda tympani, lingual nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve and the trigeminal nerve. 

The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

With jokes, puns and anatomical controversy, the spinal accessory nerve is more than just a shoulder shrug.
Terms covered this week; spinal accessory nerve, foramen magnum, jugular foramen, sternocleidomastoid & trapezius muscles.

The Hypoglossal nerve (CNXII) & The Muscles of the Tongue

This week let’s look at the muscles of the tongue and the nerve that is responsible for providing motor innervation to (almost) all these muscles. We will explore types of muscle, functions, and the classic exam question of 'what happens when the hypoglossal nerve is damaged'.
Terms explored this week; Intrinsic (longitudinal, transverse, and vertical) and extrinsic (palatoglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, genioglossus) muscles of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve & hypoglossal canal.

The Trigeminal nerve (CNV)

In this episode we explore the 5th cranial nerve, CNV aka The Trigeminal nerve, discussing the function and route of its three major branches. We will also discover what happens when we damage one of these branches, and SPOILERS it has nothing to do with facial palsy or facial weakness.
Terms explored this episode; Trigeminal nerve, Ophthalmic branch V1, Maxillary branch V2, Mandibular branch V3. Superior orbital fissure, Foramen rotundum, Foramen Ovale and finally Trigeminal neuralgia.

A Vertebra

This week let’s talk about a vertebra (singular) and explore its named parts. We will also compare how and why these vertebrae (pleural) differ throughout the spinal column.
Terms covered this week; vertebral body, spinous & transverse processes, spinal canal, laminae, intervertebral foramen and articular facets.
 

The Cranial Nerves

WARNING! The following programme contains anatomy that some students may find daunting. CRANIAL NERVES! Love them or hate them these twelve paired nerves are crucially important, and, in this podcast, we will cover some of their very basics to get you started. What are they, where are they and very briefly what do they do?
 

The Soft Palate

"Say ahh"…. probably a sentence a clinician has said to you at some point in your life.  But did you stop to consider what they are doing and what is the underlying anatomy? Today we explore the soft palate, its 5 muscles and associated nerves.

The Intraocular muscles

This episode explores the muscles inside the eye. Their names, location, function, and autonomic control.  
Terms covered this week; The pupil, iris, lens, ciliary muscles, sphincter pupilliae, dilator pupilliae, myosis, mydriasis, the light reflex & Horner syndrome.

The Lacrimal glands & Nasolacrimal apparatus

Ever wondered why we shed salty water from our eyes in times of extreme emotion? Ever considered what exactly are tears, why do we have them, where do they come from and what controls their release? All these questions will be explored in this 5-minute podcast exploring some detail of the orbit. We will specifically focus on the anatomy of the lacrimal glands, their innervation, the drainage system of the eye, and some clinical relevance squeezed in at the end.
Terms explored this week; lacrimal gland, accessory lacrimal glands, lacrimal lake, nasal canaliculi, nasolacrimal apparatus, greater petrosal nerve, epiphora & dacryocystitis.