"We don't seem to find the ulnar artery in this cadaver": an aberrant origin of ulnar artery

Aberrant origin of ulnar artery that potentially changes its normal anatomical relationship is considerable rare. But when present, it must never be overlooked before carrying invasive procedures on the anteromedial aspect of the arm and forearm by the clinician. This would avoid unprecedented iatrogenic loss of part or entire distal part of the upper limb due to loss of arterial blood supply. While doing the normal dissection of the left upper limb on the 35 year old female cadaver, medical students saw a strangely and superficially placed ulnar artery that arose from the brachial artery way up within the upper part of the middle 3rd of the arm. This superficial ulnar artery coursed within the deep brachial and ante-brachial fascia, making it superficial to all flexor muscles of the flexor compartment of the forearm. It only resumes its normal course at the wrist joint distally. The brachial artery coursed normally and bifurcated at the cubital fossa to give radial artery laterally and common interosseous artery medially. On the other hand, the right upper limb had normal arterial patterning

Accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery: report on three cadaveric cases from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria and review of literature

Background: The superior mesenteric artery may be the source of the common hepatic; gastroduodenal; accessory right hepatic; accessory pancreatic or splenic arteries.Objective: To present three cases of accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery in black African cadavers as found during routine cadaveric dissections.Materials and Method: The abdomens of 8 adult male black African cadavers were dissected according to the description and guidance by Romanes (1996). The superior mesenteric arteries; liver (especially the visceral surfaces); gall bladders; cystic ducts; portal veins and gastroduodenal arteries were exposed.Results: Three cadaveric cases of the accessory right hepatic arteries arising from the superior mesenteric arteries were observed. One of the cases was noticed to give a cystic branch.Conclusion: Since there are no Nigerian studies on the accessory right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery; these reports might contribute useful data to the literature regarding the same

Perceptions of Medical Students Undergoing Cadaveric Training: a Sociocognitive Perspective

The emotional and sociocognitive aspects of human dissection are important aspects of professionalism in medical training and so should be critically evaluated in the present day changing society. Medical students of Ebonyi State University; Nigeria completed 390 questionnaires. The questionnaires included questions seeking demographic information; open-ended questions on their first experience of dissection and suggestions on improvements in training. The Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess anxiety and satisfaction levels. The questionnaires were analyzed statistically with P0.05 indicating level of significance. Majority (35.7) of the students was excited/fulfilled after their first experience and 41.5were of the opinion that life in humans is more appreciated by dissection. Their mean anxiety level was 3.42 while satisfaction rating was 7.13 on a scale of 1-10. A greater number of students suggested that conducive learning environment and improved preservation techniques would improve satisfaction (30.3and 33.1respectively). A Conducive environment and better preservation of cadavers are the major factors that improve satisfaction. Psychosocial factors should be assessed constantly to ascertain attitudinal changes of students; which will be helpful in quality of professional formation

Model Stature Estimation Formula for Adult Male Nigerians based on Metacarpal Bone Length

Background: Stature prediction formulas provide a method of preliminary identification of dead individuals from their skeletal remains. No such formula has been reported for indigenous Nigerian populations. Materials and Method: Twenty-five adult male cadavers with Nigerian identities were used to evaluate the relationship between stature and the length of the second and third metacarpal bones of both hands. Measurement of crown-heel length of each of the 25 cadavers in supine position was made and recorded in centimetres to the nearest 0.5cm as stature. Stature was adjusted for cadaver length by subtracting 2cm from each cadaver length. The second and third metacarpal bones were harvested from both hands of each cadaver. The midline length of each metacarpal bone was measured with a Helios dial calliper and recorded to the nearest tenth of a millimetre. Correlation and regression analysis were applied to determine the relationships. Results: Best association was noted with the right third metacarpal bone length (r2 = 0.502 P0.001) and the equation that best predicted stature was a quadratic equation based on the length of this bone.Conclusion: A model stature prediction formula is hereby presented for validation in indigenous adult male Nigerians. This formula would be very useful in forensic research