Velpeau's Anatomy of regions / translated from the French by Henry Hancock.

  • Velpeau, A. (Alfred), 1795-1867.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Velpeau's Anatomy of regions / translated from the French by Henry Hancock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    illary bone can be displaced, and even this cannot occur during infancy, as, at that period of life, the acute angle, by which the two bones articulate, presents an insurmountable obstacle. The articulation, being merely separated from the skin by a single ligament, is easily opened into by wounds. The reddish cellular tissue, filling the posterior portion of the glenoid cavity, forms a kind of cushion, which divides the condyle from the auditory canal, but allows of its approximating considerably in forced retractions of the jaw; this cushion in part closes the Glasserian fissure, and prevents direct communication between the articulation and the middle ear. Internal to the fissure, and without the articulation, are the corda tympani and the auricular branch of the inferior maxillary nerves; hence the possible obliteration of these nerves, in diseases of the articulation. Ho- rizontally divided into two by fibro-cartilage, it may be the seat of two distinct dropsical effusions. In consequence of this arrangement, some attention is required in separating the con- dyle. We may understand, from its situation, how its inflam- mations may implicate the functions of the ear, pharynx, tongue, lungs, larynx; in short, the whole head. Remarks.—With such an abundance of nerves, it is evident that tumours and inflammations are necessarily accompanied by intense general reaction, and that operations and wounds must be very painful. The size and number of the veins explain the frequency and extent of ecchymosis, succeeding contusions and fractures of the ramus of the jaw. The salivary canals, in their turn, cause wounds of any depth to remain fistulous, the more so the nearer they are situated to the jaw. Being unsustained internally, the parotid is easily depressed, rendering plugging of little service in hemorrhages of this region. Finally, although the parotid excavation allows of compression being easily esta- blished there, it also renders the treatment of wounds extremely delicate, and causes swelling of the parts to extend promptly over the jaw and mouth. *g 8