“Cross-shaped” in Latin. In the knee joint are two ligaments that cross over each other, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. These ligaments help stabilize the joint, in particular, to prevent the femur (thigh bone) from slipping too far forward or backward on the tibia (leg bone). The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is frequently torn in football injuries when a leg firmly planted in the turf encounters a flying tackle. The player typically experiences “excruciating” pain. Excruciating, crucify and crucifixion all share the same root meaning referring to a cross and to the associated pain and suffering.

Posted in Anatomy | Leave a Comment

The phrenic nerves control the diaphragm, our major muscle of respiration (breathing). From the Greek, phrenic means both diaphragm and mind. The ancient Greeks believed that the diaphragm was the seat of our emotions. Sound farfetched? Have you ever “heaved a sigh” of sadness or relief? The same stem is found in schizophrenic and, less obviously, in frenetic, meaning extremely agitated or maniacal. The latter word underwent a transformation from the Greek word phrenitikos. The ancient Romans had a related word in the Latin, mentum, which means both mind and chin!  Maybe, not so farfetched, hmmm? Ever rub your chin while thinking? Perhaps the ancients thought massaging our chin stimulated thought. Are you familiar with Rodin’s statue of The Thinker, the sitting man with his chin resting on his hand? Conjure up a “mental” image!

Posted in Anatomy | Leave a Comment

Vagus means “wandering” in Latin. This aptly named nerve (there are a pair of them) meanders from our brainstem, down the sides of our neck giving branches to our palate, larynx and pharynx, through our chest cavity providing branches to the heart and lungs, and into our abdominal cavity providing branches to most of our digestive tract. Vagal stimulation to the stomach enhances acid secretion, peristalsis (churning activity) and emptying into the small intestine. Vagal branches also stimulate secretions and peristalsis in our intestines. The same root meaning of vagus is found in the common words vague, vagrant and vagabond.

Posted in Anatomy | Leave a Comment

The most feared of all the Roman emperors? Not really! The gluteus maximus (Latin- largest of the buttock) is the muscle mass making up most of the buttocks. Contrary to popular opinion, we do not sit on these muscles, because they move aside laterally as we sit. Actually, we sit on our pelvic bones protected with overlying fat, connective tissue and a cushioning bursa.

Posted in Anatomy | 1 Comment

Want to learn how the cardiovascular system works during exercise and how it responds to exercise training? Want to explore the unique “features” that allow elite athletes to attain world-class performance? Then mark your calendar for tomorrow night’s Cafe Scientifique at the Science Center of Iowa: Julia Moffitt, Ph.D., associate professor in DMU’s department of physiology and pharmacology,will explain the basic cardiovascular physiology and help attendees gain an understanding of how the cardiovascular system works during exercise and peak performance. She also will perform a live demo of an electrocardiogram with a trained endurance athlete.

Posted in Anatomy, Des Moines Events, Life in Des Moines | Leave a Comment

“Twelve each” in Latin. The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine attached to the outlet of the stomach, the pylorus. Early anatomists measured it as approximately twelve fingers’ breadths long. Duodecim is the number 12 in Latin. Take the Latin number, pass it through old French dozaine into modern English, and you have “dozen”!

Posted in Anatomy | Leave a Comment