Dear Mom and Dad

I'm writing home to tell you that I'm two weeks into medical school and can pick out the quadrangular space on an MRI! Aren't you proud? Don't know what that is? Why, of course, it's the area formed by the inferior margin of the teres minor, the surgical neck of the humerus, the superior margin of the teres major and the lateral margin of the long head of the triceps and has the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery and vein passing through it!
You know, that space? See in the picture? Hint: The big radiopaque spot (white spot) is the head of the humerus! Navigate the treacherous waters of anatomy! You've never looked at an MRI before? No problem! Just dive right in and start identifying! It's fun! Note: I have had seven hours of anatomy today and cannot possibly be held responsible for anything I write. At any rate, I was only following the words of our anatomy professor in class this afternoon who told us that recognizing the quandrangular space on an MRI was something to write home about. ^_^

And since I'm typing when I really really should be working on memorizing nerves (damn you nerves!! why can't we just control our bodies some way that a little simpler??) I'll give the the absolute highlight of my dreaded anatomy lab NUMBER 2 that was today! Aren't you just so excited? Ok, here it is. The highlight moment occured was when one of the course directors (who's absolute favorite expression so far seems to be "Don't be Stupid, Stupid!" comes over to my small group table. In the course of a discussion about palmar arteries (which are actually pretty damn cool, try the Turner test on yourself sometime!) we asked a simple totally unrelated question (never, never ask questions unless you're desperate...or at least have a thick skin and be able to think on your feet). So, we asked a question (wasn't even me, I knew the answer but I was the chosen victim since I was closest...) and Dr. B set his forearm in front of me and asked me to take his pulse.

Me: o.o Um...ok. *tentatively pokes in the area our course director's radial artery attempting in vain to feel a pulse as ten other people look on waiting for the inevitable punchline*

....

Aren't you all waiting too?

Heh. The punchline is that it is apparently hilarious to ask someone to take your pulse when you don't freaking have one because your radial artery was removed to put in your heart!!

To quote Homer Simpson: D'oh!

So, I impart the lesson that was imparted upon me today. Always, always be observant! Don't let being put on the spot in front of multiple people and being asked to take the pulse of your super important intimidating course professor while your mind is gibbering that 'maybe you're palpating the wrong side you idiot!' distract you from the twelve inch scar down a man's forearm and wrist indicating that maybe he doesn't have a pulse on that side to begin with because it's been surgically removed! Tricky, tricky.

*twitch* On the other hand, I'll never forget this lesson. Doesn't make it smart any less. Ah, the joys and wonders of anatomy...where you'd had better know your shit or you'll pay. Oh, you'll pay.

In short, anatomy makes me feel like this: