This week let’s look at the muscles of the tongue and the nerve that is responsible for providing motor innervation to (almost) all these muscles. We will explore types of muscle, functions, and the classic exam question of 'what happens when the hypoglossal nerve is damaged'.

Terms explored this week; Intrinsic (longitudinal, transverse, and vertical) and extrinsic (palatoglossus, hyoglossus, styloglossus, genioglossus) muscles of the tongue. The hypoglossal nerve & hypoglossal canal.

In this episode we explore the 5th cranial nerve, CNV aka The Trigeminal nerve, discussing the function and route of its three major branches. We will also discover what happens when we damage one of these branches, and SPOILERS it has nothing to do with facial palsy or facial weakness.

Terms explored this episode; Trigeminal nerve, Ophthalmic branch V1, Maxillary branch V2, Mandibular branch V3. Superior orbital fissure, Foramen rotundum, Foramen Ovale and finally Trigeminal neuralgia.

This week let’s talk about a vertebra (singular) and explore its named parts. We will also compare how and why these vertebrae (pleural) differ throughout the spinal column.

Terms covered this week; vertebral body, spinous & transverse processes, spinal canal, laminae, intervertebral foramen and articular facets.

WARNING! The following programme contains anatomy that some students may find daunting. CRANIAL NERVES! Love them or hate them these twelve paired nerves are crucially important, and, in this podcast, we will cover some of their very basics to get you started. What are they, where are they and very briefly what do they do?

"Say ahh"…. probably a sentence a clinician has said to you at some point in your life.  But did you stop to consider what they are doing and what is the underlying anatomy? Today we explore the soft palate, its 5 muscles and associated nerves.

This episode explores the muscles inside the eye. Their names, location, function, and autonomic control.  

Terms covered this week; The pupil, iris, lens, ciliary muscles, sphincter pupilliae, dilator pupilliae, myosis, mydriasis, the light reflex & Horner syndrome.

Ever wondered why we shed salty water from our eyes in times of extreme emotion? Ever considered what exactly are tears, why do we have them, where do they come from and what controls their release? All these questions will be explored in this 5-minute podcast exploring some detail of the orbit. We will specifically focus on the anatomy of the lacrimal glands, their innervation, the drainage system of the eye, and some clinical relevance squeezed in at the end.

Terms explored this week; lacrimal gland, accessory lacrimal glands, lacrimal lake, nasal canaliculi, nasolacrimal apparatus, greater petrosal nerve, epiphora & dacryocystitis.

Gazing at the words before you, your eyes track left to right utilising muscles attached to the eye's outer surface to do so. These ‘extraocular’ muscles are the focus of today's podcast. Let’s discuss the names and locations of these seven muscles, whilst also outlining their primary functions and the nerves that innervate these actions.

This week we discuss the anatomy of one of the features that define us humans as mammals, that is the mammary glands or breast tissue. In this episode, we review breast anatomy and the normal physiological changes that occur during the life cycle. Whilst also outlining changes to the breast that warrant greater cause for concern. We focus on the vascular supply and perhaps more importantly the lymphatics of the breast aiming to provide a basic introduction to breast anatomy.

Terms covered in this podcast; Lobules, Lactiferous ducts, Suspensory ligaments of Cooper, Tubercles of Montgomery, Plexus of Sappey, Lateral thoracic artery (aka external mammary artery), and Internal thoracic (aka internal mammary artery).

Today we discuss a tendon named after the Ancient Greek Demigod Achilles which is a good name for the strongest tendon in the human body! Legend has it Achilles was dipped in the River Styx by his mother Thetis who secured him by his heal to do so. This action made Achilles invulnerable to damage everywhere that touched the sacred waters. Fast forward to the Trojan war and an arrow shot to the unsanctified ‘Achilles heel’ ultimately resulted in his demise and has forever become synonymous with a weak spot or vulnerability. Let’s explore the anatomy of said tendon, its function, and some clinical bits and bobs to close out this 5-minute soundbite.