Dissectible Me 5 minute anatomy

The plantar aponeurosis (or plantar fascia) is a very strong connective structure on the sole of the foot, deep to the skin, running from the heel bone to the toes. It protects the structures in the plantar foot, supports the longitudinal arches and returns stored energy during the gait cycle to improve the efficiency of walking and running. It can be injured leading to pain anterior to the calcaneus on the plantar foot and a condition called plantar fasciitis. 

The uterus lies in the pelvis and has three layers. The endometrium is a specialised layer able to receive a blastocyst and with it form a placenta to support a growing foetus. The myometrium is a thick smooth muscle layer able to stretch to match the growth of the developing foetus and then expel it at birth. The perimetrium is a thin covering to the uterus that is largely peritoneum. The cervix is the entrance to the body of the uterus and the uterine tubes connect to the ovaries. Ligaments, endopelvic fascia and the levator ani muscle group all support the uterus. 

What is the musculovenous pump? How does it help lift all that blood from your legs back up to your heart when you're walking around? Let's talk about the veins and their valves, where they lie in the lower limbs and the deep fascia that surrounds them and the muscles. 

The femoral triangle is an anatomical region in the upper anterior thigh bordered by the inguinal ligament, sartorius muscle and adductor longus muscle. In here we find the femoral nerve, femoral artery and femoral vein with some lymph nodes. These large blood vessels can be used to access vascular structures in the lower limb and torso, including the heart. 

The ovum (or oocyte or egg) passes from the ovary into the uterine tube (or Fallopian tube). Spermatozoa pass from the vagina through the cervix into the uterus and then into the uterine tube. Fertilisation happens here, in the uterine tube. How does all this happen? What is an ectopic pregnancy?

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. 

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? 

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? 

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?

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.