Resin cast in situ: A technique to demonstrate the vasculature of the Nervous system: In Goat Model

Background: As Anatomical education advances very rapidly, and at the same time, there is huge demand and scarcity of true biological models, mainly brain tissue. In this scenario, in 1977, Guther Von Hagens worked on plastics and experimented voraciously on diffusing various plastics into large specimens and ultimately succeeded and coined the term “Plastination”. This technique is very popular in Western countries as the latter greatly minimizes the health hazards due to formalin exposure while dealing with biological tissue. In continuation with the advancement of expensive plastination to cost-effective resin casting, especially studies over the complex structures like the brain and spinal cord. In This study, we emphasize the cost-effective Resin cast-insitu method to demonstrate the vasculature of the brain and spinal cord. Materials and Methods: After obtaining the prior permission, we collected the Five (5) Goat heads from the slaughterhouse. Following the standard dissection procedure over the neck region, identified and canulated the major neck vessels. Through the vessels normal saline water, formalin, and pigmented resin were administered and preserved the goat head using routine preservation technique. After 36 to 48 hours, the routine dissection was scheduled to expose the brain and upper spinal cord segments, and finding were captured and recorded. Results and Discussion: The specimens show good penetration of dye in the artery and veins, and it’s easy to appreciate and study the vasculature of the brain and upper spinal cord segments, including the Bastons plexus of veins. Conclusion: In comparison with regular silicon casting, resin casting is very cost-effective and long-lasting, with good penetration of the resin substance up to the capillary level. Furthermore, similar studies may be conducted using in combination with whole organ plastination using silicon and resin embedding.

Bilateral Multiple Renal Vascular Variations and Right Sided Bifid Ureter: A Case Report.

Renal blood supply presents a large degree of variations. In the present case there was existence of bilateral variations in renal blood supply along with right sided bifid ureter. During routine cadaveric dissection in a middle aged male cadaver we found two renal veins draining right kidney and a bifurcating single renal vein on left side. On both sides one polar artery arising from main renal artery going to upper pole of kidney and left side accessory renal artery originating from abdominal aorta and giving origin to left testicular artery were observed. There is bifid ureter on the right side. The knowledge of renal vascular anatomy and its variations are very much essential in case of renal transplantation, renal surgeries, uroradiology, gonadal color Doppler imaging, in abdominal aortic aneurysmal and gonadal surgeries.

Morphometry of Tricuspid Valve in Human Foetal Cadavers.

Introduction: Anatomy of tricuspid valve complex is highly sophisticated and is altered by various disease states. Anatomic and morphological studies on the tricuspid valve are comparatively less in adults and there were no studies on foetal tricuspid valve. Hence the present study was under taken. Materials and methods: Parameters of the tricuspid valve of heart were defined and measured individually by using paquimeter. The morphometric parameters of basal width and depth of three cusps, attachment lengths of leaflets, frontal and sagittal dimensions of atrioventricular orifice and atrial circumference of valve attachment were recorded. Results: All the parameters of tricuspid valve increased with gestational age and were statistically significant in males. The widths of all the three cusps were greater in male. The frontal and sagittal dimensions and tricuspid valve circumference were higher in female foetuses when compared to male foetuses. Tricuspid valve area is expressed as triangle only. Gestational age is negatively correlating with depth of posterior cusp while other parameters correlated positively as a whole as and in less than 30 weeks age group. In more than 30 weeks age group age has negative correlation with depth of anterior and posterior cusps; tricuspid valve circumference is negatively correlating with frontal and sagittal dimensions; frontal and sagittal dimensions positively correlated with age and tricuspid circumference. Conclusion:Understanding tricuspid valve morphology and morphometry has great clinical importance in the practice of cardiac surgery, especially in partial transfer of leaflets of tricuspid valve for mitral valve repairs and in severe cardiac malformations. The present study forms a database for right atrioventricular orifice dimensions in human fetuses of different gestational ages.

Sexual Dimorphism in Morphology and Morphometry of Neutrophil Drumsticks.

Introduction: Sex chromatin is a chromatin mass of 1 micron size usually seen at the periphery of nucleus in females. In the literature majority reported its absence inmales while few reported its low incidence inmales. The term ‘sex chromatin’ comprises two superficially dissimilar structures the “Barr body” present in epithelial and other tissue cells and the “Drumstick” of the polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted to observe the morphology, morphometry and percentage incidence of Drumsticks in the blood neutrophils of 110 individuals ranging from 17-30 age group and both sexes using a calibrated ocular/eye piece micrometer. Results: The percentage incidence of drumsticks including non-specific appendages as well as the total number of true drumsticks in females exceeds that in males. Four different types of nonspecific appendages-sessile nodules, racket structures, minor lobes and small clubs were found in the blood neutrophils along with the drumsticks. A higher percentage of non-specific appendages i.e.minor lobes (46.2%), racket structures (42.3%), and small clubs (11.5%) were observed in males and sessile nodules were found only in females. Conclusion: Observations on morphology, morphometry and percentage incidence of polymorphonuclear drumsticks presented a valuable data on sex differences.

Morphological And Morphometric Study of Human Foetal Spleen.

Background: Spleen is a part of circulatory system, it is generally described with the lymphatic organs because of very large population of lymphocytes present in it. In surgical and medical history spleen has been described as a mysterious organ. Clear understanding and appreciation of its function emerged only later half of the 20th century, because of erythropoitic nature of foetal spleen the present study was conducted. Aims and Objects: To study variations on morphology and morphometry of human foetal spleen at different gestational ages. Materials and Methods: Foetal spleens were collected from SV Medical college, Tirupati and JJM Medical College, Davangere, India. Total 108 spleens were collected from foetal cadavers. The measurements length, width, thickness and weight of foetal spleen and ratio between foetal weight and spleen weight were measured. Results: The average length, width and thickness of foetal spleen of gestational age between 12 to 24 weeks were 1.7cm, 1.08 and 0.8cm respectively, gestational age between 25 to 36 weeks were 2.53cm, 1.64 and 1.0cm respectively and gestational age greater than 36 weeks were 2.67cm, 1.67 and 1.0cm respectively. The average foetal weight and spleen weight of gestational age between 12 to 24 weeks were 800gm and 2.84gm respectively and ratio between two was 0.35%, gestational age between 25 to 36 weeks were 1321.42gm and 4.52gm respectively ratio between two was 0.34% and gestational age greater than 36 weeks were 2100gm and 7.07gm respectively ratio between two was 0.33%. Conclusion: The measurements of foetal spleen are very helpful in medicine and surgical practice because of its clinical importance. The human foetal spleen is a secondary site of red blood cell.

Differential Diagnosis of A Case of Bilateral Cystic Swelling of Neck In An Aborted Fetus.

Objective: To analyse the anatomical and radiological observations in a fetus with bilateral cystic swelling of neck. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 aborted fetuses were studied for academic purpose ranging from age 12 weeks to 36 weeks. A male aborted fetus of 24 weeks with huge swelling in cervicothoracic region was investigated by radiological and ultrasonographic examination. A detailed foetal autopsy was conducted for associated anomalies. Observation: A huge cystic swelling was observed in the posterior region of neck and upper thorax with mandibulo facial defect. About 1.2cm defect was noted in occipital bone with herniation of echogenic brain contents and hypoechoic collection in to the occipital region. Conclusion: Prenatal diagnosis of Cystic hygroma and Encephalocele can be made from 9th week onwards, which will be helpful for planning delivery or to deal with neonatal complications.

Morphological Features and Morphometric Parameters of Human Fetal Thymus Glands.

Introduction: Thymus is one of the central lymphoid organs. It plays an important role in the differentiation, selection and maturation of T-lymphocytes. In the recent years morphology and morphometry of the thymus gland in the newborn is gaining significance as it demonstrates great variability between individual infants and in the same infant at different times. Materials and methods: In the present study 45 thymus specimens from aborted human fetuses of 16 to 40 weeks gestational age and both sexes were studied by autopsy for morphological and morphometric features. The morphometric parameters were measured using pachymeter. Results: The thymus gland was located in the superior mediastinum. 60% (27/45) specimens showed cervical extensions. Brachiocephalic vein anterior to thymus was observed in 3 cases which is an important anomaly to be observed in thymectomy procedure. Thymuses were greyish pink to greyish brown in colour. Variations were also observed in the number of lobes of glands in which one is single lobed, most of the glands are bilobed and few are trilobed. There is progressive increase in all morphometric dimensions of the thymus in relation to gestational age. Most of the specimens were less than 4cm in length. Half of the specimens were below 2cm in width and other half were 2.0 to 5.0 cm in width. For 90% of the specimens thickness of the organ was less than 0.5cm. The thymus gland was 0.2% of fetal body weight. Conclusion: The morphological observations of thymus gland shows great variations which has to be considered in thymectomy. In addition to anthropometric parameters of fetus, morphometric parameters of thymus glands present significant relation to the gestational age of fetuses. It is possible to determine the thymic morphometric parameters in relation to gestational age.

BILATERAL VARIATIONS IN TENDONS OF DORSUM OF FOOT.

Anterior or extensor muscles of foot comprises Peroneus tertius (PT), Extensor digitorum longus (EDL), Extensor hallucis longus (EHL) and Tibialis anterior (TA). Presence of PT in many of the primates and humans suggests terrestrial bipedalism. PT is a dorsi-flexor of ankle joint and a weak evertor of foot. TA is the most medial and superficial dorsiflexor. Standard text-books describe the course of tendon of TA as passing deep to inferior extensor retinaculum (IER). In the present study, absence of PT with a course of TA superficial to IER on one side with variant origin of PT from Extensor digitorum longus on the other side were observed in an adult female cadaver. Knowledge on variations in PT and TA are of clinical significance and academic importance to orthopedic surgeons, radiologists and anatomists.

Morphological features and morphometric parameters of human fetal vermiform appendix at different gestational ages.

Background: Vermiform appendix is a vestigial organ of variable position in the abdomen. Its location, size and shape are subject to alterations with the race of the population and limited information is available on developmental morphology and morphometry of fetal appendix. Materials and Methods: In the present study 60 appendix specimens from aborted human fetuses of 17-40 weeks gestational age and both sexes were studied by dissection method for age related morphological features and morphometric parameters. The morphological parameters observed include its location in relation to abdominal region, caecum and ileum, clock position, position of base in relation to caecal wall and direction of tip of appendix. The morphometric parameters of length, diameter and distance between ileo-caecal orifice and appendicular orifice were measured. Results: The location of appendix in relation to abdominal region presented higher incidence of sub-hepatic position in less than 30 weeks fetuses and right iliac fossa location in more than 30 weeks fetuses. Discussion: in comparision with the literature available on adult vermiform appendix the observations in the present study are in favor of influence of developmental processes on the localization of appendix including its base, ileo-caecal orifice, direction of tip, distance from McBurney’s point. Conclusion: Results of this work suggests variability in localization of appendix during prenatal development and the influence of gestational age, sex, size, growth of caecum and gut on its final position and was different from that of adults. There is increase in the morphometric parameters of appendix with increase in gestational age. Both morphological and morphometric parameters were different between sexes.