My multi-talented sister wrote these two poems as study aids, mnemonic devices, for her vet science course (Paul, mentioned in the first poem, is one of her lecturers). They’re under Scholastic Pedantry only because of this connection to academia. I sort of had to give the second one a title, because I don’t think my sister entitled it. (And, if she’d like to get in touch with me, I can give it whatever proper title it should have: and give her a pseudonym as well!) Enjoy!
Veterinary Anatomical Terms
(A discussion in verse, of dubious literary merit.)
Dear Paul, I hope it shall not make you terse,
that I shall answer this in verse.
With Anatomy’s origins I shall start
from “Temnein”- cut, and “Ana”- apart,
within the science of anatomy
are many fields of speciality,
from embryology to neurology,
to funnier names as we shall see,
to fields such as splanchnology,
(a name that fills myself with glee),
but is the study of viscera, simply
To accurately make a description
requires the use of direction,
such as the median plane which carves,
the body into similar halves,
and parallel to the median plane,
we can describe paramedian planes.
A plane passing at right angles to
the body that it passes through
is described as a transverse plane,
while should you wish to look again,
at a plane that’s perpendicular to
the median and the transverse too,
the frontal plane’s the one for you!
In naming terms of anatomy
we refer to a learned committee,
which is by name the ICVGAN
and follows its cardinal rules seven:
1. Each anatomical concept should have, you’ll find
a single term for it defined,
(as in all things there are, its true
some exceptions, but we hope few)
2. On the official list, the name must be in Latin,
and though we know we must follow this pattern,
of Latin the official tongue, it will be
fine to use other languages locally,
3. Three is a rule easy to report,
terms shall be simple and shall be short
4. and easy for us to remember,
with instructive and descriptive value,
5. Structures closely related topographically
shall be named similarly
6. and if differentiating adjectives you shall use,
opposites shall least confuse,
7. and finally the seventh rule,
terms from proper names shan’t be used, aren’t cool
The official terms can all be found
in a fascinating book that’s bound
to be of interest in every area
the Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria
Cranial is towards the head
towards the tail “Caudal”s said,
towards the back is dorsal
while to the belly ventral
and to the side lateral
and once you are upon the head,
towards the nose you’re “Rostral” led,
and now a few that end with ‘ial’,
away from the axis “Abaxial”
towards the axis “Axial”
towards the midline “Medial”
Proximal is towards the trunk
away from there you’re Distal slunk
(I hope this slunk does not confuse
but rhyming wise I’m short of muse)
To turn face upwards “Supinate”
and turn face down “Pronate”
To describe the surface of a cone?
“Circumduct” is how it’s known
“Flex” away from 180 degrees,
“Extend” returns you there with ease,
To move away from the median plane,
we say “Abduct” to make it plain,
while “Adduct” takes us back again
If moving round an axis is a part’s fate
we say it is going to “Rotate”
if drawing forward is the act,
then that we say is to “Protract”
while pulling back is to “Retract”
It is also important to know,
the regions of the body, so
we see the head is the “Caput”
with Face and Cranium, but
if you’re looking for the neck,
the “Collum” is what you’ll get
the “Truncus” can for Trunk be said
within this region may be read
of back and pelvis, thorax too
and abdomen as well, its true
the tail we may describe as “Cauda”
but what on earth would be a “Membra”?
why it would be a limb, in which
are manifold descriptive bits:
axilla, cubitus, manus too
here I’ll name but these few
and move along finally
to mention specific terminology
Directional terms sometimes may change!
In different regions, there’s a range
such as looking underneath the foot,
in forepaw there, “Palmar” will suit,
but not in hindpaw where we say
“Plantar” is what’s down that way
Within the language of anatomy
are many other aspects but unfortunately
I have not time to discuss them here,
as this is an exam, I fear
and thus there isn’t time to list
the prefixes, suffixes I have missed
but I hope I’ve writ enough
of the most fundamental stuff
and thus this much will have to do
and so for now I say Adieu!
—
Staphs and Streps
Don’t fret that lesions look the same
When caused by staphs and streps
If telling them apart’s your aim
Just follow easy steps!!
Remember, though it may amaze-
These facts regarding catalase
While staphs are always pos’tive, you
Will see for streps, reverse is true
Oh evil staphs, virulent arrival!
How we curse your coagulase,
Damn your intracellular survival!
And your Capsule’s inedible ways!
How we loathe your techoic acid
Your sharp crystal urease
Exotoxins that are far from placid
So you hurt us for days after days!!!
Of the innocence of Alpha-haemolytic streps you find
Don’t be fooled in any instance!
Though their virulence may be mild, keep in mind
Their broad antibiotic resistance!
Conversely with Beta-haemolytic streps, we
Must not forget the deal,
That virulent, nasty as they may be,
Penicillin’s their Achilles heel!!
—
- Posted by Rabbit Zero
