ABSTRACT
Thoracic cage is made up of twelve thoracic vertebrae, twelve pairs of ribs and costal cartilages (CC) and a sternum. Ribs articulate anteriorly with sternum through CC which are flattened bars of hyaline cartilage considered as unossified anterior part of embryonic cartilaginous ribs. Numerical and structural variations of ribs are well documented. In the present study, we observed both structural and numerical variations of thoracic cage, bilaterally. On both the sides, eleven pair of ribs were present, instead of seven, six true ribs were found and second rib with CC was absent. Second and third CC and third CC of right and third CC of left side were bifid. Cartilaginous bridges were present between various CC on both sides. In the midline xiphoid process was found to be bifid. These variations are of immense help to the physicians, surgeons and radiologists.
ABSTRACT
Variations of liver, its arterial supply and branching pattern of coeliac trunk are not uncommon as separate entity but this case presents several variations. During routine dissection, a multi-lobular liver, with irregular inferior margin, was observed occupying only right upper quadrant of the abdomen. An extra (accessory) lobe was hanging from its inferior surface. Common hepatic artery was giving eight branches, six on left side and two on right side. Five of the left branches were entering liver but none was passing through porta hepatis. Coeliac trunk showed tetrafurcation; the additional branch was supplying pancreas and transverse colon. Knowledge of these variations or combinations is important in open access surgeries, endoscopic surgeries and diagnostic and interventional radiology of the region.