Folia morphologica最新文献

Background: Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is one of the three major cerebellar arteries. Nevertheless, AICA may exhibit a wide range of variations in its origin site, degree of development, number, and its reciprocal relationship with neighboring vessels. These morphological variations have important anatomical and clinical implications. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical variations of the AICA based on computed tomography angiography, a modality frequently used in clinical practice.

Materials and methods: The study retrospectively analyzed the computed tomography angiography examinations of the head and neck performed consecutively on a cohort of 153 hemifaces that met the established inclusion criteria.

Results: Based on the results of the present study, a new classification system dividing AICA into six distinct types has been developed. Among these types, Type 1 (single AICA originates from the proximal part of the basilar artery) was the most prevalent, accounting for 57.5% of all cases. Type 2 (single AICA originates from the middle part of the basilar artery) was the next most common at 22.9%. The median diameter of the AICA at its origin was 2.10 mm, ranging from 1.14 mm to 2.88 mm, while its cross-sectional area ranged widely from 0.81 mm² to 4.59 mm², with a median of 2.52 mm². The diameter of the basilar artery at the AICA origin was notably larger, with a median of 4.41 mm and a maximum of 12.00 mm. Correlation analysis between measured parameters and patient age indicated generally weak and statistically non-significant correlations.

Conclusions: This study underscores the anatomical complexity and variability of the AICA, emphasizing the importance of precise morphological knowledge for both diagnostic and surgical procedures involving the posterior fossa. The findings reveal notable diversity in AICA origin, course, and diameter, with implications for imaging interpretation and clinical management, particularly in cases of vascular pathology such as infarction or aneurysm.

Background: The incus is one of the three auditory ossicles involved in the conductive process of audition. The incus is often a target in oculoplastic procedures, which have high revision and failure rates. Foundational knowledge of the incus' morphological parameters is generally limited to linear dimensions due to its small size and complex articulations. Our aim is to utilize a landmark-based approach to capture and quantify the bone's shape.

Materials and methods: Incus bones were harvested from 53 anatomical body donors and scanned in a Bruker 1276 Skyscan micro-CT with 100 µm resolution. 3DSlicer was used for geometric morphometric landmarking and analyses. Warps corresponding to the major axes of variation determined by the PCA were created to visualize shape changes. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare PC scores between sexes and sides (α = 0.05). Centroid size was calculated and correlated with shape scores.

Results: The PCA revealed 53 PCs with the first ten PCs accounting for 83.5% of the variation in the sample. The first PC (18.0%) corresponded with inverse crural lengths, while PC2 accounted for 16.9% of the variation and was associated with angulation of the incudomallear joint. There were no significant differences in shape between sexes or left and right sides. Centroid size had a significant relationship with PC1 scores (R2 = 0.1638, p = 0.0026).

Conclusions: Crural form - specifically lengthening and anterior-curving long crura - may represent morphological adaptations associated with an increase in size. Incudomallear joint angle variation was notable, which should be considered in predisposition to pathological processes.

Background: Anatomical variations of the external jugular vein (EJV) are significant due to their notable implications in flap design and diagnostic evaluations (EJV cannulation).

Case report: The present case report details a unique venous anomaly observed during the dissection of right posterior cervical triangle in an adult male donated human body. Notably, the EJV atypically terminated by forming a venous loop with the transverse cervical vein. This loop comprised three segments: the proximal segment formed by the EJV, distal by the transverse cervical vein, and an intervening midsegment. From the convexity of the loop, two veins originated, running parallel for approximately 2.5 cm before piercing the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia to drain into the subclavian vein (SCV) separately.

Results: The first vein (V1) entered the SCV 1.77 cm distal to the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), while the second (V2) did so at 2.57 cm distal to the same landmark. Additionally, posterior external jugular vein (PEJV), an infrequent finding, was observed running along the anterior border of the trapezius muscle, draining into the transverse cervical vein instead of the EJV. The suprascapular vein, instead of opening into the EJV, drained directly into the SCV.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the significance of acknowledging such rare venous variations to avoid potential complications during surgical procedures involving the neck region.

Background: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a leading cause of long-term neurological disability and mortality, primarily due to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, and neuronal apoptosis. Despite numerous therapeutic attempts, clinical translation of neuroprotective agents remains limited. This study investigates the neuroprotective potential of cimifugin, a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Materials and methods: Rats were subjected to MCAO and treated with cimifugin (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg). Behavioral assessment was performed using the neurological deficit score and Morris Water Maze test. Brain infarct volume was evaluated using TTC staining. Histological and biochemical analyses were conducted to assess cerebral edema, oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, GSH), inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), apoptotic cell death (TUNEL assay), and expression of iNOS, and COX-2.

Results: Cimifugin significantly improved neurological outcomes in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by reduced neurological deficit scores and enhanced cognitive performance in the Morris Water Maze test. TTC staining revealed a marked reduction in infarct volume, particularly at 30 mg/kg. Cimifugin attenuated cerebral edema and significantly decreased neuronal apoptosis. It reduced MDA levels while enhancing SOD and GSH activity, indicating robust antioxidative effects. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression, were significantly downregulated.

Conclusions: Cimifugin confers neuroprotection in cerebral I/R injury through multi-targeted mechanisms involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic actions. These findings suggest its potential as a low-toxicity, plant-derived candidate for managing ischemic stroke and related cerebrovascular diseases.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is among the most common causes of death worldwide. Interventions, such as percutaneous coronary intervention, used to recanalise coronary stents, require precise anatomical knowledge, particularly regarding vascular variations, to avoid complications.

Materials and methods: In our study, we describe a rare anatomical variation of the superficial brachioulnar artery (SBUA).

Results: We present an SBUA originating from the brachial artery in its upper third further running superficially in a straight course to the hand, where it comprises the full function of the ulnar artery. At the same time, the regular ulnar artery terminates as a hypoplastic vessel which exclusively supplies the local musculature. This combination expands the existing literature and highlights the clinical relevance of vascular variations.

Conclusions: Our case report underscores the importance of precise preoperative imaging to identify vascular anomalies early on and at the same time minimise patient safety-related complications. Additionally, this new variation of the SBUA emphasises the need to integrate anatomical variations more thoroughly into medical education and research. The latter would ensure the systematical capture of their prevalence and implications to improve clinical practice in the long run.

Background: Body height is an important measurement in the forensic individual identification of the body. It was aimed to estimate height from head circumference measurement values ​​representing the population according to age and to create a model for age estimation in infants from birth to 12 months.

Materials and methods: In the present study, head circumference measurements of 500 healthy infants, 250 girls and 250 boys, whose ages and heights are known, were evaluated. To estimate height by looking at head circumference separately for both genders and also in 8 different measurement periods, linear regression model, quadratic and cubic models and nonparametric, nonlinear MARS model were used. In addition, various growth curves were examined in age estimation by looking at head circumference and the most successful exponential growth curve results were given.

Results: It was found that the relationship between head circumference and height is linear, especially starting from the 6th month, according to gender and measurement periods. When the relationships between head circumference measurements and ages in girls and boys were examined with the exponential growth curve, a significant relationship was observed. Exponential growth curve model parameters were developed to be used in estimating age.

Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that height can be estimated with head circumference measurement representing the population according to age and age can be estimated using the developed model.

Background: To evaluate the anatomical characteristics of the abdominal aorta in adult Vietnamese individuals using 128-slice computed tomography (CT).

Materials and methods: This descriptive, retrospective study analyzed 128-slice contrast-enhanced CT images from 193 Vietnamese adults acquired at Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, between December 2023 and December 2024. Measurements included the termination level of the abdominal aorta, aortic diameter at three standardized levels (origin, above renal arteries, and bifurcation), total aortic length, and the bifurcation angle between the common iliac arteries. Data were processed using MIP and VR reconstruction techniques and analyzed with SPSS v20.0.

Results: The most frequent termination level was the L4-L5 intervertebral disc (27.5%), followed by the L4 vertebral body (26.4%). The mean aortic diameters were 19.84 ± 2.76 mm at the origin, 17.45 ± 2.44 mm above the renal arteries, and 14.55 ± 2.10 mm at the bifurcation. Males had significantly larger diameters than females at all levels (p < 0.001). The mean aortic length was 138.98 ± 12.15 mm, with males showing significantly longer aortas than females (143.88 ± 11.57 mm vs. 134.03 ± 10.66 mm, p < 0.001). The average bifurcation angle was 43.2° ± 9.52°, with no significant difference between sexes (p = 0.45).

Conclusions: This study provides detailed morphometric data of the abdominal aorta in a Vietnamese population, revealing significant sex-based differences in diameter and length, with implications for clinical decision-making, particularly in endovascular procedures.

Background: Few studies exist on Calcaneus volume due to calculation difficulties. The aim of this study is to generate a formula that can give the approximate volume of a Calcaneus through simple mathematical calculations based on measurements taken from plain radiographs.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 216 dry calcanei from the adult population in Anatolia. The volumes were calculated using Archimedes' water displacement method aided by a new technique for temporarily coating dry bones. On lateral radiographs: maximum anteroposterior length (max AP l), maximum body length (max body l), body height (body h), minimum body height (min body h), facies articularis cuboidaea height, Böhler's angle, angle of Gissane; on axial radiographs: maximum posterior transverse width (max post w) and minimum posterior transverse width (min post w) were measured. The formula was derived using Python 3.12, commonly used in machine learning.

Results: The mean volume was 55.8 mL, with a standard deviation of 11.7. After evaluating with machine learning techniques, the multiple linear regression model was determined to be the most effective, and the formula was identified as follows: Volume (mL) = 0.96 × max AP l (mm) + 0.40 × max body l (mm) - 0.29 × body h (mm) + 0.76 × min body h (mm) + 0.14 × max post w (mm) + 0.48 × min post w (mm) - 7.49.

Conclusions: The proposed formula can serve as an index for future studies on Calcaneus volume, and the methods we used may be helpful for similar studies, particularly on dry bones.

Background: The canalis sinuosus (CS) is an anatomical structure within the maxilla that enclosesthe anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN), artery (ASAA), and vein (ASAV). Since its first description in 1939, understanding the course of the CS is essential, especially for clinical outcomes involving facial surgeries and interventions, due to variations in its path.

Materials and methods: In this review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, Web-of-Science and PubMed databases were comprehensively searched using keywords related to the CS and its anatomical components. Both cadaveric investigations and radiological studies using computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam CT (CBCT) were included.

Results: The prevalence, diameter, and trajectory of the CS were assessed. Eleven of the 897 records met the inclusion criteria, revealing the CS prevalence in most subjects. The mean CS diameter was 1 mm, and clinically significant trajectory variations with significant implications for clinical practice were observed. The segmented anatomical analysis revealed that the course of the CS was divided into three distinct parts, namely, the initial segment near the infraorbital foramen, the intermediate segment extending to the pyriform aperture, and the end segment near the tooth root apices. The CS pathway begins at the infraorbital foramen, curving towards the nasal aperture before bending again near the inferior nasal concha.

Discussion and conclusions: Further study is needed to clarify the complex end segment and precise anatomical details of the CS. Existing studies have notable limitations and inconsistencies, underscoring the urgent need for uniform methodologies and consistent terminology.

Background: Sex estimation is a very important part of anthropological and forensic research. After the pelvic skeleton, the skull is the easiest place to distinguish sex. The morphological characteristics of the mandible, which is the largest and strongest bone in the skull, play an important role in sex estimation because it varies according to age, sex and race.

Materials and methods: In our study, mandibular length (ML), symphysis height (SH), bimental width (BMW), bicondylar width (BCW), bigonial width (BGW), ramus height (RH) and ramus width (RW) were morphologically examined on 130 dry mandibular bones of which age and sex were estimated.

Results: Bigonial width, a key indicator of mandibular width, also showed significant differences between the sexes in all age groups (p < 0.05), with males having wider mandibles. Other significant differences were observed for bimental width in the 20-25, 31-35 and 51-55 age groups, and for bicondylar width in the 20-25 and 31-35 age groups. On the other hand, ramus width showed no statistically significant differences between males and females in any age group, suggesting a more uniform characteristic between the sexes.

Conclusions: In our study, it can be seen that there are significant sex differences in the various dimensions of the mandible, and that males in general have larger dimensions compared to females. In this context, the morphological findings of our study provide an accurate estimation of the age and sex of the individual.