Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger最新文献

{"title":"Intersaphenous veins of the leg: An ultrasonographic study in young population","authors":"Michaela Veselá ,&nbsp;Gabriela Dostálová ,&nbsp;Karel Brabec ,&nbsp;Aleš Linhart ,&nbsp;David Kachlík","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The communicating veins between the great and small saphenous veins, called intersaphenous veins, are often overlooked structures, except for the femoral intersaphenous vein (of Giacomini). The reason for tendency to neglect the crural intersaphenous veins can be their alleged high variability. The aim of the study was to bring reliable anatomical and morphometric data about the crural intersaphenous veins for their potential clinical usage as grafts.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>In this ultrasonographic study performed on a young population, we screened 246 lower extremities. The incidence of the femoral intersaphenous vein was 51.2 % (126/246) and the incidence of at least one crural intersaphenous vein was 97.1 % (239/246). Two crural intersaphenous veins were observed in 46.7 % (115/246).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The femoral intersaphenous vein was located exclusively on the thigh, with its average length of 26.35 cm and average calibre of 2.4 mm. The typical area where to find a crural intersaphenous vein is the middle medial part of the calf. Their course can be straight transverse, oblique or they can rarely make a plexus. The majority of intersaphenous veins of the leg do not possess valves, if so, those are parietal valves present in 10.3 % (39/379). An average length of 13.7 cm and an average calibre of 2.13 mm of intersaphenous veins of the leg are appropriate enough for their usage as a venous graft or in reconstruction surgery.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The intersaphenous veins of the leg are not as variable as presented in previous studies. Their anatomical and topographical characteristics are fairly constant. According to their anatomical characteristics, crural intersaphenous veins could be surgically used as a suitable variant to the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein and femoral intersaphenous vein.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 152658"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geometric morphometric analysis of body shape and sexual dimorphism in Colossoma macropomum","authors":"İhsan Berat Kiliçli ,&nbsp;Barış Batur ,&nbsp;Hasen Awel Yunus ,&nbsp;Caner Bakici","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study investigates sexual dimorphism in <em>Colossoma macropomum</em> using geometric and linear morphometrics.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 26 specimens (14 females, 12 males) were analysed through shape analysis (MorphoJ) and linear measurements (ImageJ). Statistical analysis of both linear and geometric morphometry was performed using the PAST program.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Geometric morphometric analysis identified statistically significant differences in body shape between males and females. Females were characterised by a shorter and narrower body form, while males exhibited a longer and broader morphology. Notably, the caudal fin base's flexion axis, along with the position and length of the anal fin, were highlighted as key anatomical regions for distinguishing between adult males and females. Linear morphometric analysis further revealed significant sex-specific variations, particularly in the head region and anterior body width.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings integrate quantitative data from linear morphometric with visualised results from geometric morphometric analysis, providing a detailed assessment of morphological distinctions. Potential drivers of these differences, including reproductive strategies, feeding behaviours, population density, genetic structure, aquaculture practices, water depth, and ecological niche differentiation, were explored to explain the observed sexual dimorphism. This research provides valuable insights into the morphological variation and evolutionary mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism in <em>Colossoma macropomum</em>, with implications for species management and conservation. Moreover, it represents a novel contribution as the first comprehensive study to utilise geometric morphometric techniques to elucidate shape differences between male and female individuals of this species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 152659"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143725904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prone positioning improves surgical access to the thoracolumbar junction – An MRI pilot study","authors":"Mohammed Hasanain ,&nbsp;Colya N. Englisch ,&nbsp;Thomas Tschernig ,&nbsp;Ralf Ketter ,&nbsp;Diana Hell ,&nbsp;Arno Bücker ,&nbsp;Joachim Oertel","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The lateral decubitus position is the standard position for a lateral approach of the thoracolumbar junction, but prone positioning has been observed to increase the distance of abdominal organs from the spine in comparison to lateral decubitus position and gives a safe exposure to the lumbar spine.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To compare distances between the thoracolumbar spine junction and abdominal structures between lateral decubitus and prone position.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted in two positions, lateral decubitus and prone, in six volunteers with no previous spine injury or complaints. Distances of abdominal structures from the spine were measured from Th10 to S1.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In lateral decubitus position, abdominal structures shifted away from the thoracolumbar junction on the left side but became nearer to the spine on the right side. The distance of abdominal structures from the spine was highest in prone position, particularly on the right side.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These anatomical descriptions suggest that prone position can improve surgical access to the thoracolumbar junction in comparison to the standard lateral decubitus position, from the right side as well as from the left side.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 152657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143724616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cluster analyses of contemporary embalming protocols in central European anatomy institutions: A collaborative effort to minimize chemical exposure","authors":"Sara Mohebimoushaei ,&nbsp;Veronica Antipova ,&nbsp;Uta Biedermann ,&nbsp;Beate Brand-Saberi ,&nbsp;Lars Bräuer ,&nbsp;Svenja Caspers ,&nbsp;Sara Doll ,&nbsp;Maren Engelhardt ,&nbsp;Timm J. Filler ,&nbsp;Martin Gericke ,&nbsp;Yakup Gümüsalan ,&nbsp;Stefanie Gundlach ,&nbsp;Gregor U. Hayn-Leichsenring ,&nbsp;Stephan Heermann ,&nbsp;Laura Hiepe ,&nbsp;Bernhard Hirt ,&nbsp;Lena Hirtler ,&nbsp;Christoph Kulisch ,&nbsp;Marko Konschake ,&nbsp;Stefanie Kürten ,&nbsp;Niels Hammer","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152403","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152403","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anatomical embalming forms a mainstay in the provision of teaching materials based on human post-mortem tissues. As a consequence of regulations worldwide to minimize the use of formaldehyde due to its harmful nature, effective measures must be taken to minimize its application in the anatomy laboratory. This study aimed to identify commonalities among embalming protocols used in Austrian, German and Swiss anatomies to reduce formaldehyde usage and provide a foundation for joint accreditation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Survey data on all procedures, technologies and chemicals related to embalming were collected from 28 participating institutions and analyzed using an automated clustering approach. Special attention was given to chemicals, explosion-proof facilities, and air ventilation technology. After conducting principal component analyses, the data was evaluated using an unsupervised K-means learning algorithm.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Six distinct clusters of common chemical usage were identified, namely (1) Thiel embalming with explosion-proof facilities, (2) potassium- and sodium salt-based embalming with downdraft ventilation, (3) ethanol/glycerin/glutaraldehyde/sodium alkyl ether sulphate-based embalming, (4) ethanol-based embalming, (5) formaldehyde-based embalming, and (6) ethanol/phenoxyethanol/alkyl (C12–16) dimethylbenzyl ammoniumchloride-based embalming. All clusters included the use of formaldehyde to varying extent. These clusters demonstrated high stability for fixation, combined fixation and conservation, as well as the incorporation of explosion-proof facilities and air ventilation technology. Moreover, a number of institutions used more than one similar protocol, so-called ‘Superclusters’, with Clusters (4) and (1) or Clusters (5) and (1) combined being the most common observation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings provide a basis for optimizing, streamlining and sharing embalming protocols among central European anatomy institutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 152403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143675085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel perspective on geniculate ganglion fossa: Cone beam computed tomography analysis of pneumatization and dehiscence","authors":"Răzvan Costin Tudose ,&nbsp;Mugurel Constantin Rusu","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152402","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152402","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and patterns of geniculate ganglion fossa (GGF) pneumatization, as well as the dehiscence and thickness of its tegmen, while evaluating their anatomical correlations. The assessment was conducted using two coronal planes aligned with the histological division of the GGF.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Seventy cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans (140 sides) were analyzed. Two coronal planes through the GGF were used, based on its histology: an anterior plane through the ganglion and a posterior plane through the facial nerve fibers. Pneumatization was assessed by identifying air cells within a 2 mm range of the GGF, examining its superior, lateral, medial, and inferior walls, and classifying the pneumatization patterns. The GGF tegmen dehiscence was evaluated in both planes and categorized as intact, partial, or total. Based on combined findings, five dehiscence types were defined, ranging from type 1 (no dehiscence) to type 5 (complete dehiscence in both coronal planes). The classification reflects the progressive extent of tegmen dehiscence across these planes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Type 1 (intact GGF tegmen) was the most common, observed in 47.1 % of cases, while partial dehiscence (types 2–4) and complete dehiscence (type 5) were found in 39.3 % and 13.6 % of cases, respectively. Pneumatization was predominantly lateral (95 %), corresponding to the epitympanum, while superior pneumatization within the GGF tegmen occurred in 33.6 % of cases. Circumferential pneumatization, involving all GGF walls, was very rare (1 case, left side). Superior pneumatization correlated with a significantly greater mean GGF tegmen thickness compared to non-pneumatized cases (2.6 ± 1.3 mm vs. 1.2 ± 0.7 mm). GGF tegmen dehiscence did not significantly influence tegmen tympani dehiscence (prevalence of 72.9 %), indicating no clear association.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Assessing GGF morphology in anterior and posterior planes, thus correlated with the histological division of its neural content, can enhance preoperative planning and help predict and minimize surgical risks in this complex and delicate region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 152402"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143643544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biometric analysis applied to three age classes of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in a population of central Italy","authors":"Anna Paniccià ,&nbsp;Andrea Brusaferro ,&nbsp;Cesare Pacioni ,&nbsp;Leonardo Brusaferro ,&nbsp;Paola Scocco ,&nbsp;Elena De Felice","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Roe deer are often used as bioindicators; however, little is known about the potential relationship between biometric parameters and the different phenological developmental phases of males compared to females.</div><div>This study focuses on the analysis of biometric data of three age groups (juveniles, subadults and adults) of the roe deer population, performed on samples collected during the period 2017–2023. The aim is to evaluate the relationship between body/cranial parameters and sex-specific developmental phases, both to create a database and to provide morphological information useful for deepening the knowledge about the roe deer population and for planning management actions, including selective hunting.</div><div>Eight cranial linear distances were measured to the nearest 0.05 mm with calipers on the cranium of the roe deer, and four body linear distances were measured to the nearest 1 cm with flexible measuring devices. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Multivariate size-constrained factorial analysis was applied to investigate both shape changes and the shape morphology of the cranium for each age-sex group.</div><div>Analysis revealed weak sexual dimorphism; significant differences emerged in head-trunk length, height at withers and hock length in adults, while chest circumference remained similar. Cranial measurements showed males develop wider cranium earlier, whereas females exhibit prolonged growth in sensory related structures. Factorial analysis confirmed size as the primary differentiating factor among age classes. Males reach adult morphology faster, while females continue cranial development into the second year.</div><div>Data underline the importance of age and sex in the morphological development of roe deer and highlight that understanding the relationship between body parameters and developmental stages is essential to refine selective hunting criteria and ensure sustainable population management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"260 ","pages":"Article 152401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143652338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Topographic and anatomical variability of the facial artery: Structure and physiology","authors":"Vladimir Nikolenko ,&nbsp;Olga Polyakova ,&nbsp;Andrey Voronin ,&nbsp;Natalya Chuchkova ,&nbsp;Nataliya Zharova ,&nbsp;Viktor Chuchkov ,&nbsp;Irina Vineyard ,&nbsp;Yury Zharikov ,&nbsp;André Pontes-Silva ,&nbsp;Tatyana Zharikova","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A large number of complications associated with incorrect visualization of the facial artery or ignorance of the anatomy of the major facial vessel make this problem quite relevant. An in-depth understanding of anatomical variations, projections and topography, taking into account the depth of the facial artery, can help reduce the risk of adverse outcomes during cosmetic procedures. In addition, it assists plastic and maxillofacial surgeons in managing facial trauma and performing surgical procedures, including advanced endoscopic facelift techniques and endoscopic blepharoplasty, where the risk of vascular injury is higher. In cases of vascular injury, anatomical knowledge allows the selection of an optimal hemostatic approach. The aim of this review is to systematize current data on anatomical variations, topography, and external landmarks of the facial artery, providing a classification and visual representation of different patterns. This structured information will undoubtedly benefit clinicians in various fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 152393"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the surface topography of human acellular and cellular tooth cementum by atomic force microscopy","authors":"Wiktor Luczak ,&nbsp;Christopher Hinrichs ,&nbsp;Christoph Kleber ,&nbsp;Achim Walter Hassel ,&nbsp;Kurt W. Alt ,&nbsp;Nicole Nicklisch","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Dental cementum plays a key role in maintaining the health and functional integrity of teeth throughout an individual’s life. While different cementum types are distinguished according to location and function, their specific properties are not yet fully understood.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The study aimed to compare the structural properties of different types of tooth cementum by analysing their surface texture using tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Transverse and longitudinal sections of five anterior teeth extracted from four male individuals were prepared and analysed by TM-AFM (Core AFM) both with and without hydrochloric acid etching. The TM-AFM measurements were further analysed using the Gwyddion software to determine the roughness parameters (root mean square of height irregularities and mean roughness).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The acid-etched sections exhibited distinctive features with regard to fibre structure and orientation compared to the unetched sections, with fundamental differences between acellular and cellular cementum. In contrast to acellular extrinsic fibre cementum (AEFC), cellular intrinsic fibre cementum (CIFC) showed increased roughness values after acid etching, with some variability, both between teeth and between subjects. The relative percentage difference (RPD) between the cementum types varied between 11.4 % in unetched transverse sections and up to 89.8 % in etched sections. The AEFC images revealed finely branched fibres between radial Sharpey’s fibre bundles.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our results show that TM-AFM imaging combined with acid etching is a suitable technique for characterising the surface texture of different types of tooth cementum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 152392"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the expression and role of N-Myc in spermatogonial stem cells and male infertility","authors":"Emad Reza ,&nbsp;Hossein Azizi ,&nbsp;Thomas Skutella","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In order to sustain reproduction, this study aims to investigate the role of N-Myc in the regulation of spermatogonial stem cell differentiation and the consequent generation of sperm during spermatogenesis. By analyzing specific gene expression patterns associated with N-Myc signaling pathways, we seek to identify potential targets for infertility treatments.</div></div><div><h3>Main methods</h3><div>In this study on mice, we constructed a PPI network in embryonic stem cells, germ cells, SSCs and pluripotent stem cells using the GEO datasets, NCBI, STRING, and Cytoscape databases. Then, after isolating spermatogonial stem cells from 6 C57BL/6 mice, ES-like cells were prepared. We further examined <em>N-Myc, Oct4, Sox9, Vasa</em>, and <em>Plzf</em> expression in testes, SSCs, and ES-like cells by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunocytochemistry (ICC), also the expression of <em>N-Myc</em> using RT-PCR. Finally, we performed gene set enrichment and miRNA analysis for <em>N-Myc</em> using Enrichr and miRTarBase.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div><em>N-Myc</em> has a central role in PPIs for genes maintaining pluripotency. In addition, this gene is coexpressed with <em>Oct4</em>, and positive expression of the <em>Vasa</em> and <em>Plzf</em> genes was observed in seminiferous tubule cells. The interaction network of <em>N-Myc</em> with microRNAs and lncRNAs was constructed, and the biological roles of <em>N-Myc</em> in spermatogenesis, such as glycolysis, were revealed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The result highlight that <em>N-Myc</em> is essential for orchestrating the differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells into mature sperm by interacting with key regulatory factors. This underscores its pivotal role in both maintaining pluripotency and facilitating successful spermatogenesis, which may inform future strategies for addressing infertility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 152391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Origin, communication and course of the vagus nerve auricular branch with special references to the mastoid canaliculus for the nerve: A study using human fetus histological sections","authors":"José Francisco Rodríguez-Vázquez ,&nbsp;Samuel Verdugo-López ,&nbsp;Ji Hyun Kim ,&nbsp;Ai Hirano-Kawamoto ,&nbsp;Gen Murakami ,&nbsp;Masahito Yamamoto","doi":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The vagus nerve auricular branch (Xab) is a well-known sensory nerve and it communicates with the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves. Xab passes through the so-called mastoid canaliculus of the temporal bone (TB) to reach the facial nerve. We aimed to examine the nerve origin, communication and course of Xab as well as bone components along the nerve.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We observed serial histological sections of 13 embryos (6–8 weeks of gestation) and 31 midterm fetuses (9–17 weeks) as well as semiserial sections of 11 late-term fetuses (25–32 weeks).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The initial Xab originated from both the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves and these two roots were joined at six weeks. Soon later, Xab ran laterally along the anteromedial aspect of the internal jugular vein to reach the facial nerve. Communication with the sympathetic trunk appeared by nine weeks. By 12 weeks, variations became evident in the nerve course, communication and terminal. A microganglion sometimes accompanied Xab. The early Xab ran through a relatively large space between the future occipital condyle and Reichert’s cartilage. Depending on a delayed growth of the otic capsule precondylar process, the nerve became to pass through a narrow space between the otic capsule (or Rechert’s cartilage) and occipital. At late-term, Xab passed through a canaliculus between the occipital and TB or within the TB.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Xab had two roots, ran along the anterior wall of the bony jugular fossa and, penetrated the TB or passed between the occipital and TB to reach the facial nerve descending portion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50974,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Anatomy-Anatomischer Anzeiger","volume":"259 ","pages":"Article 152389"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}