Jack injures himself playing hockey, and the physician who examines him informs him that he has dislocated his pollex. What part of Jack's body did he injure?
(a) his arm
(b) his leg
(c) his hip
(d) his thumb
(e) his shoulder.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the term 'pollex' by recalling anatomical terminology. The pollex is a specific part of the body, so identifying it correctly is key to answering the question.
2. Step 2: Recall that the pollex refers to the thumb, which is the first digit of the hand, distinct from fingers 2 through 5.
3. Step 3: Recognize that a dislocation involves a joint being forced out of its normal position, so Jack has injured the joint of his thumb.
4. Step 4: Review the answer choices and match the pollex to the correct body part. Since the pollex is the thumb, the correct choice corresponds to the thumb.
5. Step 5: Conclude that Jack injured his thumb, which is option (d), based on the anatomical definition of pollex.

Key Concepts

Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical terminology refers to the standardized language used to describe parts of the body. Understanding terms like 'pollex' helps identify specific body parts accurately, which is essential in medical and biological contexts.

Pollex Definition

The pollex is the anatomical term for the thumb, the first digit of the hand. Recognizing this term allows one to pinpoint injuries or conditions related specifically to the thumb rather than other parts of the arm or hand.

Dislocation Injury

A dislocation occurs when bones in a joint are forced out of their normal positions. Knowing what a dislocation entails helps understand the severity and nature of Jack's injury to his pollex (thumb).