Quiz this week over the material
you looked at last time, as well as the written sections for this
week's lab,, i.e. the hindlimb muscles. Remember that spelling counts.
We won't be horrendously picky, and if it's not too far off there will
usually be at least partial credit. In cases where you put something like
"tibula", though, where we can't tell if you mean "fibula" or "tibia", it
would have to be counted wrong. Be familiar with the correct spellings.
Starting this week you will definitely need a
lab coat, apron, or old shirt to cover your clothing, but be aware that the
preservative has a way of soaking through, and the smell can be difficult to
remove. Thus you will want to wear something old/unimportant underneath, even with
a protective layer. The same is true of shoes - fluids and preservatives tend to
get onto the floor, so don't wear your best shoes to the lab.
Keep in mind that the red-lined trash can in the back of
the lab is for "meat", and the one in the front is "vegetarian." Do not throw gloves,
plastic, paper towels, etc. in the "carnivorous" can, and don't throw bits of skin,
fat, etc. into the "vegetarian." Remember those human bones...? ;)
In the book's lateral view of the superficial hindlimb muscles,
the structure labeled the Tensor Fascia Lata is in fact the Fascia Lata, the
aponeurosis (=sheet of tendon) that lies over this region of the leg. The Tensor Fascia
Lata is the muscle that lies directly upwards of it, and draws this sheet of
tendon tight.
Remember that the Quadriceps Femoris, on the medial side
of the hindlimb, consists of four muscles: Vastus Medialis, Rectus Femoris, Vastus Intermedius,
and Vastus Lateralis. Of these, the Vastus Intermedius is not illustrated, because it lies deep
down between the Rectus Femoris and the Vastus Lateralis. You will need to dig for it.
On the lateral superficial hindlimb, the Gluteus Medius is
in fact larger than the Gluteus Maximus, so don't let the names confuse you. (We're using
human muscle terminology, and in humans the Gluteus Maximus is in fact the larger one, which
is why they're named that way.)
The book's picture of the deep lower leg muscles is almost
useless, so you're best off ignoring that and finding the Soleus and Plantaris by the side
from which they're best visible. Both lie nestled inside the Gastrocnemius (the big calf muscle)
closer to the bone, but the Soleus shows up best from the lateral side, while the
Plantaris shows up best from the medial side.
You will need to memorize the muscle
attachments (origin=proximal attachment; insertion=distal attachment),
as well as their functions. If you can visualize where the muscle lies,
where it attaches, and how the fibers run, you can get a good idea of
its action when it contracts. Remember that muscles always pull, never
push. Compare the muscles you're working on, to the cat skeletons set
up in front of you, and picture them moving the bones.
Keep in mind that names and terminology may differ slightly from textbook to textbook and in different anatomy courses, depending on whether human or veterinary terminology is used.
Nothing directly to do with the course ... this section will have an occasionally-changing recommendation for books of general scientific interest - guided by the whimsy of the web-site maintainer, of course. :) This week's pick is:
The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
(The classic that started it all. Once you get into the 19th-century style of prose, Darwin
is in fact an engaging writer, who deals with some of the very same fascinating and perplexing
issues that we're still hammering out in biology today.)
