The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English, or, medicine simplified / By R.V. Pierce.

  • Pierce, R. V. (Ray Vaughn), 1840-1914.
Date:
[1895]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The people's common sense medical adviser in plain English, or, medicine simplified / By R.V. Pierce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Lamar Soutter Library, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

    35/1028 (page 27)
    situated between the carpus and fingers. The Phalanges, four teen in number, are the bones of the fingers and thumb, the fingers each having three and the thumb two. The Bones of the Loirer Extremities, sixty in number, are classed as follows: The Femur, Patella, Tibia, Fibula, Tarsus, Metatarsus, and Phalanges. The Femur, or thigh-bone, is the longest bone in the body. It has a large round head, >v^hich is received into the acetabulum, thus affording a good illustration of a ball and socket joint. The Patella, or knee-pan, is the most complicated articulation of the body. It is of a round form, connects with the tibia by means of a strong ligament, and serves to protect the front of the joint, and to increase the leverage of the muscles attached to it, by causing them to act at a greater angle. The Tibia, or shin bone, is enlarged at each extremity and articulates with the femur above and the astragalus, the upper bone of the tarsus, below. The Fihula, the small bone of the leg, is situated on the outer side of the tibia, and is firmly bound to it at each extremity. The Tarsus, or instep, is com- posed of seven bones, and coiTesponds to the carpus of the upper extremities. The Metatarsus, the middle of the foot, bears a close resemblance to the metacarpus, and consists of five bones situated between the tarsus and the phalanges. The tarsal and the metatarsal bones are so united as to give an arched appear- ance to the foot, thus imparting elasticity. The Phalanges, the toes, consist of fourteen bones, arranged in a manner similar to that of the fingers. We are not less interested in tracing the formation of bone through its several stages, than in considering other parts of the human system. The formation of the Haversian canals for the passage of blood-vessels to nourish the bones, the earlier con- struction of bony tissue by a metamorphosis of cartilaginous substance, and also the commencement of ossification at distinct points, called centers of ossification, are all important subjects, requiring the student's careful attention. The bones are pro- tected by an external membranous envelope, which, from its situation is called the periosteum. The bones are divided into four classes, long, short, flat and irregular, being thus adapted to subserve a variety of purposes. The Long Bones are found in the limbs, where they act as