A Study On Course And Variations Of Facial Artery On The Face

Introduction: Face is mainly supplied by the Facial artery supplemented by transverse facial artery. Variations inthe course and branching pattern of facial artery are commonly seen. The understanding of these variations offacial artery plays a very important role in facio-maxillary surgeries. It is also of immense importance toradiologists in interpreting facial artery angiography.Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Subbaiah Institute ofMedical Sciences on 50 formalin fixed adult hemi-faces irrespective of sex. The branching pattern, terminationsand variations of facial artery on the face were studied.The facial artery predominantly terminated as angular artery in 28 (56%) hemi-faces, as superior labial arteryin 15 (30%) hemi-faces and as lateral nasal artery in 6 (12%) hemi-faces.Results: An inconstant posterior (pre-masseteric) branch of facial artery was observed in 3 (6%) hemi-faces. Inone of the hemi-face we found a deviation in the usual course of facial artery, where the artery deviated towardsthe infra-orbital foramen then continued and terminated as the lateral nasal artery. An unusual termination offacial artery was observed in one of the hemi-faces where the artery terminated by giving 4 branches in the lowerbuccal region.Conclusion: Knowledge of these variations and anomalous branching pattern is of great academic and clinicalsignificance in general practice, Otorhinology, Traumatology, Plastic and Maxillofacial surgeries and Radiology

Morphometric Study Of Placenta In Relation To Birth Weight Of Full Term Newborns

Background: Placenta is a functional unit between the mother and the fetus. It is the discoid, deciduate,haemochorial, chorioallantoic, endocrine gland which connects developing embryo by umbilical cord to theuterus. It develops from two sources. The fetal component which is the principal component develops fromchorion frondosum and the maternal component from decidua basalis. If the decidual part of the placenta ishealthy, the embryogenesis from germinal period up to the end of fetal period will be healthy. Otherwise it willlead to anomalies of the placenta, umbilical cord and of the fetus including low birth weight. There is a provendirect relationship between placental growth, fetal well-being and finally fetal outcome.Aim: To study the morphometry of placenta in relation to birth weight of full term newborns.Methodology: For the study, 60 discarded placentae were collected at random from deliveries (both vaginal andcaesarian) conducted at the teaching hospital of Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences. Thirty out of the sixtyplacentae were from controls (birth weight > 2500gms) and thirty from low birth weight deliveries (birth weight<2500gms). In the collected placenta, the weight, volume, diameter and thickness of placenta were measured. Thefoeto-placental ratio and placental co-efficient was calculated.Results: Our study demonstrated a significant relationship between placental morphometry and birth weight.Conclusion: Because of the growing evidence of correlation of placental morphology with chronic diseases inlater life, we suggest examination of placenta at the time of birth.