• leaflet

    . . .a thin triangular flap of a heart valve. . . a small book usually having a paper cover . . . a medical lit-art e-journal from The Permanente Press
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Spread the Word

See Bio & Other Work

David Godley, MD

Contributor's Note

I find medical jargon amusing and sometimes confusing. As an orthopaedic surgeon I am amazed that we still tolerate a lexicon which gives bones alternate and/or interchangeable names. The scaphoid is a good example: is it carpal, tarsal, or navicular? This short poem tries to illuminate the anatomic nomenclature issue with tongue in cheek.

Aviator’s Astragalus

Vol 6: Iss 2, Poetry

In days of yore  
As aviator  
Could shatter his astragalus  
In an ugly crash or  
Hard landing. 

Astragalus is a funny word
Like a jungle beast or bird  
Or expensive vegetable:
Fresh green astragalus
With Hollandaise.

Now the term has disappeared 
Which I think a little weird
No one says astragalus
Now everyone says talus
Except etymologists who regale us

But it really is no fun to say
Aviator’s talus anyway