Anatomical Science International最新文献

Internal iliac vein drains the pelvic viscera, gluteal region, and the perineal region. Knowledge of its variations is of importance to radiologists, gynecologists, and orthopedic surgeons. We found one of the rare variations of the internal iliac vein during our cadaveric dissections. The right internal iliac vein had anterior and posterior trunks. The anterior trunk joined the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein. The posterior trunk terminated into the common iliac vein. There was a broad communication between anterior and posterior trunks. Further, there were two venous rings formed by the tributaries of the internal iliac veins. One of them surrounded the superior gluteal artery and the other surrounded the internal pudendal and inferior gluteal arteries. Here, we discuss the clinical importance of the case.

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is critical for regulating cell growth, survival, fate determination, and the overall patterning of both vertebrate and invertebrate body plans. Aberrations in Hh signaling are associated with congenital abnormalities and tumorigenesis. In vertebrates, Hh signaling depends uniquely on primary cilia, microtubule-based organelles that extend from the cell surface. Over the last 2 decades, studies have demonstrated that key molecules regulating Hh signaling dynamically accumulate in primary cilia via intraflagellar transport systems. Moreover, through the primary cilia, extracellular signals are converted to stabilize GLI2 and GLI3 that are transcription factors that play a central role in regulating Hh signaling at the post-translational modification level. Recent in vivo and anatomical studies have uncovered crucial molecules that facilitate the conversion of extracellular signals into the intracellular stabilization of GLI2/GLI3 via primary cilia, emphasizing their essential roles in tissue development and tumorigenesis. This review explores the regulatory mechanisms of GLI2/GLI3 with a focus on mammalian tissue development.

This report describes a new configuration of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) with two heads and two main tendons divided into four slips. During routine cadaver dissection, unilateral (right) EDL muscle belly and tendon variations were identified. The morphometric measurements of the EDL were conducted using Image J software. Two bellies and two tendons of the EDL muscle were observed in the right leg of an 87-year-old male cadaver. The second belly of the EDL muscle originates 2 cm below the first belly. The tendons originate at the ends of the muscle bellies. First and second tendons split into two more slips after passing through the same tunnel below the extensor retinaculum. The first tendon was divided into two tendon slips attached to the extensor expansion of the second and third toes, whereas the second tendon was divided into two tendon slips attached to the extensor expansion of the fourth and fifth toes on the dorsum of the foot. The width of the muscle belly for the tendons of 2nd and 3rd toes was 1.10 ± 0.06 cm, while it was 1.39 ± 0.04 cm for that of the 4th and 5th toes. The developmental variations in the EDL muscles can be asymptomatic. This variant of the EDL muscle may cause entrapment under the extensor retinaculum, potentially restricting ankle dorsiflexion. This limitation can also affect walking. Consequently, paying attention to this variance is crucial for surgical planning and interpretation of radiological scans.

The common iliac arteries (CIA) are the main finals branches of the abdominal aorta. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to demonstrate the most up-to-date and evidence-based data regarding the general anatomy of the CIAs, including their length, take-off angles, and diameters. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched to find all studies considering the anatomy of the CIA. Eligibility assessment and data extraction stages were performed. The results of the measurements in a total of 5785 patients were evaluated and included in the statistical analysis. The prevalence of the origin variations of the CIA has been evaluated. CIA was found to most commonly originate at the level of L4 vertebrae with a pooled prevalence of 59.49% (95% CI 48.00-70.50%). The overall mean length of the CIA was 5.59 mm (SE: 0.13), and the mean diameter of the CIA was 10.52 mm (SE: 0.85). The knowledge of the anatomy and variations of the CIA is crucial in lumbar spine surgery, especially when performing the anterolateral approach to L4 and L5 vertebrae. Furthermore, the level of the aortic bifurcation has significant implications related to vascular surgery in this region. We performed the present meta-analysis to standardize the extensive information on the anatomy of the CIAs.

The Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) is the most common source of thrombi during atrial fibrillation (AF) leading to stroke. With the increasing prevalence of AF and the growing number of patients requiring LAA involved interventions like exclusion and ablation, understanding LAA's anatomical intricacies becomes paramount importance. This study aims to provide anatomical data regarding LAA in relation to these procedures. Total 50 formalin-fixed cadaveric hearts were examined and various morphological and morphometric parameters were noted. The Cauliflower shape LAA (36%) was most common followed by Chicken Wing (34%), Cactus (18%), and Windsock (12%) shapes. The LAA orifice had greater horizontal diameter compared to the vertical diameter and was oval in shape in 64% cases. Diverticular structures called divots/ pits were present surrounding the LAA orifice in 36% cases with high variation in number, size, and distance from orifice. They were most commonly present towards the septal side and posterior wall side around the LAA orifice. The circumflex artery was the closest structure to LAA orifice with less than 5 mm distance in 76% cases. Other structures present close to the LAA were the Left Superior Pulmonary Vein and Mitral Valve. According to shape, the Non-Chicken Wing morphology of the LAA was associated with close running left circumflex artery, high OI (Ovality Index) of the orifice, and greater presence of divots. The LAA anatomy is complex with high amount of variability making it difficult to perform successful procedures. Given data can help clinicians in better planning and execution of cardiac interventions involving the LAA.

Aim: To spatially map the position of the facial artery and vein along the inferior border of the mandible based on specific facial reference points.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 40 sides of 21 formalin-fixed cadaver heads (11 female, 10 male) with a mean age of 72.92 ± 11.72 years. Superficial dissection was performed to visualize the facial artery and vein at the inferior border of the mandible (FA and FV). Measurements were taken from the FA and FV to various facial landmarks using a digital caliper and medical protractor. Statistical analysis was conducted using Shapiro-Wilk, independent sample t-tests, and paired sample t-tests.

Results: The mean distance between FA and FV was 6.20 ± 2.97 mm. Distances from FA and FV to gnathion, oral commissure, nasal wing, lateral canthus, angle of mandible, intertragic notch, and Manson's point were determined, with no significant differences found between sides and genders (p > 0.05). The closest distances from FA and FV to the line between the intertragic notch and oral commissure were 38.63 ± 4.86 mm and 37.78 ± 5.28 mm, respectively. The angular measurements of FA and FV with inferior border of mandible were 61.45 ± 13.71 and 76.56 ± 10.17 degrees, respectively. The angle between intertragic notch, FA and oral commisure was 102.40 ± 11.12 degrees.

Conclusion: The detailed measurements and analysis provided in this study aim to enhance the precision of surgical interventions involving the facial artery and vein. The practical localization methods proposed can assist in minimizing the risk of vascular injuries, improving outcomes in reconstructive and aesthetic procedures.

Aberrant muscle bundles of approximately 10 cm in length, running subcutaneously from the posterior surface of sacrum to the iliac crest, were found on both sides of three males among 93 cadavers of anatomical courses for medical students. Since no precedent of this anomaly has been described in the literature, we present its morphology and discuss the significance of this muscle. This muscle originated from the tendinous fibers of the superficial-most layer of the sacral part of thoracolumbar fascia, became muscularized near the posterior superior iliac spine, passed over the origins of the gluteus maximus and medius, and inserted on the iliac crest. Some bundles crossed the iliac crest to insert between sublayers of the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia. The superior cluneal nerves passed above, below, or penetrated the muscle. Branches from the segmentally lowest one or the conjoined lowest two entered the aberrant muscles. Considering its location and multi-layered structure, the muscle is likely to be a muscularized bundle of the thoracolumbar fascia. The aberrant muscle is also similar to the serratus posterior inferior in its location at the lateral end of the thoracolumbar fascia and below the latissimus dorsi. Nevertheless its innervation from the posterior rami of the spinal nerves and partial fusion at its origin implies a close relationship to the iliocostalis. This aberrant muscle may also be of clinical interest since it is potentially involved in the entrapment of the superior cluneal nerves as it runs along the caudolateral edge of the thoracolumbar fascia.

The subiculum is one of the major output structures of the hippocampal formation and is an important brain region for memory. We have previously reported that the subiculum of rodents can be morphologically divided into its temporal (ventral) two-thirds and the septal (dorsal) third and that the former can be further subdivided into the distal (Sub1) and proximal (Sub2) regions, on a basis of immunohistochemical localizations of several Sub2-specific proteins. However, it remains unclear whether detailed structural organization found in the temporal subiculum is applicable to the septal subiculum. In this study, we found that the distribution of fibronectin (FN1)-positive non-GABAergic, presumptive pyramidal cells exactly coincided with the extent of the Sub1 region of male mice. Using FN1 immunohistochemistry, the Sub1 was found to keep relatively constant size throughout the septotemporal axis of the subiculum. In contrast, the size of the Sub2 became smaller as it approached the septal side, and the Sub2 finally disappeared at the most septal level of the subiculum. Retrograde tracer experiments confirmed that FN1-positive Sub1 neurons projected to the retrosplenial cortex, which is thought to be associated with spatial memory, whereas FN1-negative Sub2 neurons projected to the nucleus accumbens associated with emotional memory. Considering both the functional segregation of these two subicular targets and the relative abundance of the Sub2 on the temporal side, the subiculum can be one of the neural substrates for functional differences between the septal and temporal hippocampal formation associated with the spatial and emotional memory, respectively.