Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

Mediastinum

The mediastinum is a region within the thorax between the lungs. In here we find the heart, great vessels, trachea, oesophagus and other anatomical structures. We can further describe where these structures are by dividing the mediastinum up into superior and inferior parts, and the inferior mediastinum up into anterior, middle and posterior medastinal compartments.

Vena cava

The anatomy of the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava in 5 minutes, with a little extra about anastomoses. These are the largest and some of the most important veins in the body.

Muscle tissue

How do skeletal muscle cells (myocytes) change their length? How does this relate to the different types of contractions that we see in gross anatomy and rigor mortis?

Parathyroid glands

The parathyroid glands are vital as they help regulate blood calcium levels. Where are they?

The amygdala

Is the amygdala the fear centre of the brain? What's the anatomy here?

Sinoatrial node

The sinoatrial node is the pacemaker of the heart. Let's talk about it in a little more detail.

Saphenous veins and varicose veins

The saphenous veins are superficial veins of the lower limbs. Why do they become varicose veins and why are they used in CABG surgery? What is CABG?

Coeliac trunk

The coeliac trunk is a branch of the aorta in the abdomen that supplies blood to the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and parts of the duodenum and oesophagus. It is important because its branches supply blood to important organs but also because stomach and duodenal ulcers can erode through these arteries and cause significant bleeding. The anatomy here is difficult to describe but let's try and describe the branches of the coeliac trunk and how they supply blood to the organs that they are reponsible for.

Limbic system

Does thinking about the anatomy of the limbic system fill you with dread? That's your limbic system in action. Find out more in just 5 minutes in this podcast.

Basal ganglia

The basal ganglia should be called the basal nuclei, and are also referred to as the corpus striatum. This demonstrates one of the problems with studying neuroanatomy as terms seem to overlap. Let's talk about what the basal ganglia are, what they do, some of this terminology and what they have to do with Parkinson's disease.