Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

Big shoulder muscles

Let me try to describe the locations, functions and innervation of the major muscles of the shoulder joint: pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, deltoid, trapezius and the rhomboids. 

Peripheral nervous system

In short, the peripheral nervous system is all of the nervous tissue that is not in the central nervous system. Except for cranial nerves I and II. What about autonomic nerves? What are ganglia? And the enteric nervous system? 

Central nervous system

What do we mean by "the central nervous system"? What anatomical structures are included when we say, "the brain"? Are cranial nerves part of the central nervous system? What is inside the spinal cord? 

The 4 parasympathetic ganglia of the head

Let me introduce to you the four parasympathetic ganglia of the head. Meet the ciliary ganglion, the otic ganglion, the pterygopalatine ganglion and the submandibular ganglion. Why do they exist and what do they do?

Foetal heart adaptations

The foetus gets its oxygen from the placenta and not from the lungs when in the uterus. The lungs are still growing and little blood flows through them. The foramen ovale is a flap valve that lets blood pass from the right atrium directly into the left atrium, avoiding the lungs. From the left side of the heart this blood will flow into the aorta and off around the body. The ductus arteriosus is a vessel that allows blood to flow from the pulmonary trunk through and into the aorta, again avoiding going through the lungs. At birth both of these foetal adaptations must close with the first breath and the activation of the lungs. 

Cerebellar tonsils and coning

How are the tonsils associated with the cerebellum? How can they be herniated and what does this mean? What is coning? Why is this an important sign? I'll explain.

Cerebellum

In 5 minutes, what is the anatomy of the cerebellum and what does it do? Why does it have 80% of all of the neurones of the brain? Why does it look like a little brain?

Spermatic cord

The spermatic cord carries all the things the testis needs to and from the torso. What is the spermatic cord made of, what are its layers, where do these layers come from, and what are all the things inside the spermatic cord?

Foregut, midgut and hindgut

How can understanding the embryology of the gastrointestinal tract as foregut, midgut and hindgut help us understand the blood supply and venous drainage of the adult GI tract?

Somatic nervous system

"Soma" means "of the body" so what is the somatic nervous system? How is this dividing up of the nervous system useful? I'll try to describe this neuroanatomy concept in 5 minutes.