Foramen of Vesalius

To investigate the frequency of unilateral or bilateral foramen of Vesalius FV, number of FV present on one side, and presence of a septum on FV. We bilaterally examined, 347 sphenoid bones of collections of the Department of Anatomy, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul and Dokuz Eylul Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey in 2007. Of the 347 bilaterally examined skulls, 87 25.1% had bilateral FV, 191 55% specimens did not have any FV on both sides, and 69 specimens 19.9% had unilateral FV 33 skulls had FV on the right side, and the remaining 36 skulls had FV on the left. Of the 156 skulls which had FV, only 4 skulls 3 on the right, one on the left had double FV on the same side. We have not observed any specimens which had 3 or more FV on the same side. Of the 156 skulls which had FV, 11 skulls had a septum on FV, 3 skulls had a septum on FV on the right side, and 6 skulls had a septum on FV on the left side. Two skulls bilaterally had a septum on both sides. We believe that our data about FV will be enlightening not only for anatomists, but also for clinicians

Absence of both stapedius tendon and muscle

During surgery for otosclerosis, it is common for the surgeon to cut the stapedius tendon. The absence of the stapedius muscle with its tendon is uncommon. In this study, we present a case of the absence of the unilateral stapedius tendon and muscle. During dissections of adult temporal bones, the absence of the stapedius tendon and muscle was found in one case. The tympanic cavity was explored with the help of a surgical microscope. The pyramidal process was not developed. A possible ontogenetic explanation was provided. In the presented case, the cause of the anomaly may be failure of the embryological development of the muscle. Awareness of the variations or anomalies of the stapedius muscle and tendon are important for surgeons who operate upon the tympanic cavity, especially during surgery for otosclerosis

Change of quadriceps angle values with age and activity

The lines connecting the anterior superior iliac spine to the center of the patella and the center of the patella to the tibial tuberosity make the quadriceps angle [Q angle], and this can be used as data for patellar alignment. We undertook this study to provide detailed information about the change of Q angle values with age and activity. The study was conducted on 474 active [AG] [soccer players] and 765 sedentary [SG] boys [N=1239] from the age of 9-19, and the sedentary group also served as control to their age matched active counterparts. The statistical methods used were the student's t-test and the 3 way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The study was carried out in the laboratories of the Anatomy Departments and School of Physical Education and Sports, Istanbul and Hacettepe Universities between 2001 and 2003. The right and left Q angle values within both groups were statistically insignificant. The comparison of the groups showed a very high level of significant difference between the groups for both knees [AG right Q angle = 14.54 +/- 4.76, SG right Q angle = 17.98 +/- 3.24; AG left Q angle = 14.41 +/- 4.61, SG left Q angle = 18.12 +/- 3.55]. The 3 way ANOVA showed that the age and physical activity had equally highly significant effects on Q angle values with a greater change in the active group's values. We conclude that 1] children and adolescents have greater Q angle values than adults, 2] a change in quadriceps strength and tone, caused by both growth and activity, results in a decrease of the Q angle and 3] activity, particularly playing soccer in our study, has a remarkable effect on the Q angle