ABSTRACT
Background: The knowledge of variations in the position of nutrient foramina and hence nutrient arteries isimportant for orthopedicians and radiologists for various procedures.Introduction: The major blood supply to long bones occurs through the nutrient arteries, which enter through theforamina called nutrient foramina. The blood supply from nutrient artery is essential during the growing period,also during the early phases of ossification, and in procedures such as bone grafts, transplant techniques inorthopaedics. The present study analyzed the position and number of nutrient foramina in the diaphysis of fiftyadult femora.Aim: to determine the number, direction, position of nutrient foramen and whether the nutrient foramina obeythe general rule that is, directed away from the growing end of the boneMaterials and Method: The present study has been undertaken in Fifty dry adult femora of South Indian origin inthe Department of Anatomy, M.S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore. The number, directions, position of nutrientforamen in femur were measured with a digital Vernier caliper. The data were tabulated as mean + SD andstatistically compared between the right and left sides.Results: A total of 75 foramina were examined in the 50 bones. 40 in Right sided femur and 35 in left sided femur.46% bones had single foramina and 52% bones had double foramina. Foramen was absent in 2% bones. Allnutrient foramina in the femur were directed proximally, away from the growing end. 16% of the foramina werelocated in the proximal third of the bone and the rest 84% were located in the middle third of the bone. There wasno significant difference in location of foramina between right and left sided bones.Conclusion: This study will provide the ethnic data for comparison among various populations. It is also helpfulin interpretation of radiological images and for orthopedic procedures. Precise knowledge of usual and anomalousposition of nutrient foramina and hence the nutrient artery may help the orthopaedician for the internal fixationat appropriate place in the long bone. The location of nutrient foramen is important for bone grafts, tumourresections, in traumas, congenital pseudoarthrosis and more recently in microsurgical vascularised bonetransplantation
ABSTRACT
Background: Atlas, first cervical vertebra bears sulcus over posterior arch for third part of vertebral artery.Sometimes an osseous bridge converts the sulcus into a foramen called as Arcuate foramen. It is commonlycalled as Kimmerle’s anomaly, also known as Ponticulus Posticus. It is the product of the complete or incompleteossification of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane over the vertebral artery groove resulting in the formationof a foramen (Arcuate foramen) containing the vertebral artery and the posterior branch of the C-1 spinal nerve.This variation has been associated with vertebro-basilar insufficiency symptoms, various types of headaches,and acute hearing loss. The knowledge of this variant prevents complications during lateral mass screw fixation,posterior laminectomy and endovascular surgery.Aims: The aim of the present study was to analyze the percentage of incidence of arcuate foramen and to identifyits clinical significance.Materials and Methods: Hundred dried human atlas bones were used to study the presence of arcuate foramen inthe department of Anatomy at ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Rajajinagar, Bangalore.Results: We came across the presence of arcuate foramen in two out of hundred bones. In both the atlas bones,osseous bridge extending from posterior aspect of superior articular facet to the posterior arch of atlas on theleft side, forming arcuate foramen, posterior to foramen transversarium was observed.Conclusion: Arcuate foramen commonly called as Kimmerle’s anomaly where in a groove for vertebral artery isconverted into a foramen by ossification of the ligament. Awareness of osseous bridging is essential in performingcranio-cervical junction surgeries. It also serves as an anthropological data and also identifying the impact ofcomplete arcuate foramen on the signs and symptoms of vertebra-basilar insufficiency.
ABSTRACT
Background: In the present study, variations in the Palmaris longus and the clinical implications of these arediscussed.Aim: To study the variations in the Palmaris longus and to discuss the embryological basis, clinical and surgicalimplications of these variations.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Department of Anatomy of Hassan Institute of MedicalScience, Hassan, Dr B.R.Ambedkar Medical college, Bangalore and Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Educationand Research,Tamaka, Kolar. Thirty formalin fixed cadavers (60 upper limbs); 25 males & 5 female cadavers weredissected for the study and it was conducted over a period of three years, i.e., from 2011-2014. The cadavers withvisible trauma, pathology or prior surgeries were excluded from the study. Routine dissection of the upper limbwas carried out following the Cunnigham’s Manual of Practical Anatomy. During the dissection of the anteriorcompartment of forearm, the Palmaris longus muscle was identified & carefully dissected. At first, the origin wasconfirmed and then, it was traced towards its insertion. Any variations found were noted and photographed. Theresults were analysed and compared to previous studies.Results: Bilateral absence of palmaris longus was seen in one male cadaver and unilateral (right sided) absencein one female cadaver. Percentage of bilateral absence of palmaris longus is 3.3%. Total absence of palmarislongus is 5%. Right side absence is 3.3%, left side absence is 1.6%. Variations like split tendon of palmaris longuswas observed in a female cadaver on right side, bilateral split tendon with fleshy belly in a male cadaver,reversed belly of right side palmaris longus in a male cadaver .