General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 3 (of 3)Bichat, Xavier
Science
General Anatomy, Applied to Physiology and Medicine, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Bichat, Xavier
Human anatomy; Human physiology
This surface answers everywhere to the cellular texture which is loose
upon the trunk, the thighs, the arms, &c. and which is condensed
upon the cranium, the hand, &c. In most animals, a fleshy layer
called panniculus, and of a form analogous to that which is almost
everywhere subjacent to the mucous system of man, separates the skin
from the other parts, and communicates to it various motions. In man,
the dermoid system exhibits here and there traces of this internal
muscle, as is observed in the platysma myoides, the occipito-frontalis
and most of the muscles of the face. There is nothing similar on the
trunk, extremities, &c. Man is as much inferior in this respect to most
animals, as he is superior by the arrangement of his facial muscles.
Thus observe that whilst in him all the passions are painted as it
were upon the face, and the whole exterior of the trunk remains calm
in these tempests of the mind, this exterior is convulsively agitated
in animals. The mane of the lion becomes erect, the whole skin of the
horse moves, a thousand different agitations animate the exterior of
the trunk of animals, and make it a general picture on which is painted
all that passes in the interior. You can determine from behind, in
many animals, by seeing only their bodies, that they are agitated with
passion; cover the face of man, the curtain is drawn over the mirror of
his mind; thus almost all nations leave it uncovered. The physiognomy
is in this respect, if we may so say, more generally spread over the
exterior, in animals with a fleshy panniculus.
Besides the cellular texture, the dermis is almost everywhere
subjacent to the muscles in the trunk; but, foreign to the motions of
these muscles, it receives no sensible influence from them. In the
extremities it is found separated from the fleshy layers by aponeurotic
expansions. Many vessels wind under it; the great veins pass through
its texture; many arterial ramifications go upon its surface, and many
nerves between these ramifications.
ARTICLE SECOND.
ORGANIZATION OF THE DERMOID SYSTEM.
I. _Texture peculiar to this Organization._
This texture comprehends, 1st, the chorion; 2d, that which is called
the reticular body; 3d, the papillæ. The chorion is the essential part
of the dermis; it is that which determines its thickness and form. The
reticular body appears to be but little distinct from it. The papillæ
arise from it also, but are more evident.
_Chorion._
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