Monday, February 29, 2016

Fiction: Movie Stars

I welcome the movie stars to the veterinary clinic and I inquire as to whether they would like a primer to Veterinary Technology in the event they feature one in a show. If they consent, I give them a quick overview. I describe that there are many tools of the trade. I explain an effective way of ensuring a “realistic portrayal” is to use vocabulary that enhances their acting experience. I describe first that there are many types of animals, but some of the body parts, such as the bone and muscle systems have similar names to each other or the names are the same. I also point out that human systems have similar names.

“The musculoskeletal system includes the muscle and skeletal structure which give the animal its body support. The skeleton is the framework and protects the body. There are two primary parts of the bone, the cortical bone, or hard outer layer of the bone and the cancellous, the spongy sections usually at the ends of bones. I explain that each part, section and protrusion of the bones has a name it is referred to by. Descriptions of bone locations are usually determined by the orientation of the animal and its body structure. We use arthroscopy to examine the joints and radiology to study the internal body structure. These can be used to determine physical issues such as hip dysplasia, or abnormal development of the pelvic joint common in large dogs.

Some body parts are simple to remember, such as the face. However, the skull is called the cranium and the mandible creates the lower jaw. There are several parts to the spinal system, such as the cervical vertebrae by the neck which joins to the thoratic vertebrae along the back. The lower back is the lumbar vertebrae which moves into the sacral vertebrae and ends in the coccygeal, or caudal vertebrae. The shoulders are the scapula. The clavical is the top of the chest, which then moves into the sternum which composes of the ribs.

Fracture terminology may be of use in an acting experience. Avulstions are when a muscle, ligament or tendon is pulled until it detaches. Callus is when a deposit around a bone fracture bulges and may form into bone. Closed fratures are also called simple fractures and means there is no skin wound. Comminuted fractures are when a bone has broken and it has been crushed or splintered into many pieces. When a bone is pressed together and breaks, these are called compression fractures. When there is a cracking sensation you can hear and feel, it is called crepitation and indicates broken bones are moving together. Fractures simply mean broken bones. If the bone is broken on one side, but the other side is bent, this is referred to as a greenstick fracture, or incomplete fracture. An oblique fracture is when a bone has broken diagonal to its long axis. An open fracture is when there is a wound which has opened up. Physeal fractures are when the bone has broken at the growth plate or ephyseaal line. Spiral fractures break in a twisted or spiral break. Tranverse fractures are when the bone has broken on the axis at an angle or directly across the bone itself.

You can solve some of these problems through immobilization when you hold, suture or fasten a bone into a position which is fixed. Sometimes this is done with a bandage or a cast. You can use manipulation to realign the bone.  Sometimes you use another process to treat a bone. Amputation is when it is removed, but you can also fuse he joint or spinal vertebrae using an arthrodesis technique.


Meanwhile, muscles are sectioned into types. Skeletal muscles attach the bones to the body and help move the animal. Smooth muscles help operate the internal organs. Cardiac muscles involuntarily contract the heart muscle to pump blood in the system. Muscles are named for their function and location in the body. They are sometimes named also after their shape. You can diagnose muscles with an electromyography recording. The issues found among muscles normally are based off of the structure, weakness, abnormal growth, defective growth or control issues.  

I hope you have found this helpful I explain to them. I tell them I am willing to answer questions. 

No comments:

Post a Comment