Sexual Dimorphism In Splenial Morphology: A Cadaveric Study

Introduction: There is no uniformity in published works regarding the presence of sexual dimorphism in themorphology of the Corpus Callosum (CC), specifically splenium.Objective: The present study was conducted on formalin fixed preserved brains to get comprehensive dataregarding gender related differences of CC.Materials and Methods: 50 formalin fixed human brains without apparent neuropathology were cut in themidsagittal plane. The various morphometric features of CC were measured and recorded on these midsagittalsections.The diameters measured were: (i) length of CC (AB), (ii) Width of body of CC at mid point (WBM), (iii) Maximumwidth of genu (AE), (iv) Maximum width of splenium (BD).Results: Mean values of two parameters (AB and AE) were greater in male than in female. However, 2 parameters(WMB and BD) had greater value in female than male. Only two parameters (AB and BD) showed statisticallysignificant (p value < 0.05) gender differences.Conclusion:significant sexual dimorphism was observed in the longitudinal length of the CC, including morphologyof the splenium. However, these gender related differences are more likely due to individual differences regardlessof sex

Variant Patterns Of Brachial Plexus – A Cadaveric Study In North Indian Population

Background: The brachial plexus is constituted by the ventral rami of C5-T1 spinal nerves. It forms a network ofterminal nerves that innervate the upper limb. Variations of brachial plexus are common and a better awarenessof variations is very crucial to achieve successful results in its surgical procedures. The aim of present studywas to find the variant patterns of brachial plexus and to discuss their developmental and clinical significance.Materials and Method: 50 upper limbs belonging to 25 formalized and well preserved male cadavers obtainedfrom the Department of Anatomy, constituted the material for the study. These were dissected and roots, trunks,cords and terminal branches of brachial plexus were exposed. The variant patterns were noted and photographed.Results: Out of 50 limbs, 5 limbs showed variations of brachial plexus at different levels.All the variations seenwere unilateral. Out of 5 variant patterns seen, different types of communications between musculocutaneousand median nerve were observed in 4 limbs (8%).Out of 4, in 1 limb (2%) medial cord joined with lateral root ofmedian nerve to form mediano-ulnar nerve which after a distance of 1cm bifurcated into median and ulnarnerve. In one limb (2%), there was no distinction between medial and lateral cord. Instead a single anterior cordwas formed by union of anterior divisions of all the three trunks anterior to axillary artery.Conclusion: The variant patterns of brachial plexus are usually more prone to accidental injuries and entrapmentneuropathies. Knowledge of such variations may provide additional anatomical information for the cliniciansduring diagnosis of unusual clinical symptoms and also for surgeons during surgical exploration of axilla andarm to avoid damage to these nerves.

Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae- An Osteological Study In Dry Human Sacra Of North Indian Origin With Its Clinical And Forensic Implications

Context: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are congenital anomalies that occur due to defect in normalsegmentation of the lumbosacral spine during development. This may be either in the form of assimilation offifth lumbar vertebra with the sacrum (sacralisation), or transition of the first piece of sacral vertebra into thelumbar configuration (lumbarisation).Aims and Objectives: Although presence of LSTV is common in general population but knowledge about its exactclinical implications is still lacking. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the rate of incidenceof transitional vertebra and their sex difference (if present) in dried human sacra. Secondary aim was to studythese transitional vertebra in detail and correlate these findings clinically.Materials and Methods: A total of fifty unbroken adult sacra were examined (male to female ratio of 3:2). Thepresence or absence of a lumbar transitional vertebra was noted and classified as incomplete or complete. Thesacral indices (SI) of all sacra were measured and values compared between typical and atypical sacra with LSTVas well as between male and female sacra.Results: Out of fifty sacra, six sacra (12%) showed presence of LSTV. Among them, four (8%) showed sacralisationof the fifth lumbar vertebra and two (4%) showed lumbarisation of first sacral vertebra. Among the four sacrashowing sacralisation, two showed incomplete fusion and two showed complete fusion of fifth lumber vertebrawith sacrum. LSTV was found to be more common in male than female. Sacralisation was seen only in male sacrawhile lumbarisation only in female sacra. The difference in the mean SI of typical sacra (97.76±4.08) and sacrawith LSTV (83.69±2.38 and 98.11±1.52 for sacralised and lumbarised sacra respectively) was found to bestatistically significant (p<0.05) and that between the male (94.55±5.70) and female (100.14±3.42) sacra wasfound to be highly significant (p<0.01).Conclusion: Presence of LSTV has many clinical and forensic implications and its knowledge is important fororthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, forensic experts and also to radiologists.