Rare Variations Of Extensor Tendons In The Dorsum Of Hand

Extensor digitorum muscle originates from the front of lateral epicondyle of humerus as common extensororigin, the adjacent intermuscular septa and the antebrachial fascia. It divides into four tendons in the distalthird of forearm for the medial four fingers. During routine dissection of back of forearm and dorsum of hand forundergraduate students, we discovered that extensor digitorum muscle was unusually giving a common slip tothe ring and little finger. Also, extensor digiti minimi(EDM) was found to be bifurcating into two separate slips forthe little digit.

A Cadaveric Study of Normal and Variant Levels of Division of Sciatic Nerve and Coupled Anomalies with Clinical Application in Surgical Interventions.

Background: Sciatic nerve, the thickest and the largest nerve of the body, is formed in the pelvis. After passing through the greater sciatic foramen, it enters the gluteal region, and subsequently the nerve passes on the back of thigh to reach the superior angle of popliteal fossa where it bifurcates into tibial and common fibular nerves. It usually divides into its terminal branches outside the pelvis; however it may rarely divide within the pelvis. In such cases, the tibial nerve and the common fibular nerve may leave the pelvis through different routes. The knowledge of different routes of exits of the sciatic nerve is of utmost importance for the surgeons and the interventionists dealing with this region as this is the site of innumerable surgical manipulations as well as nerve injuries during deep intramuscular injections in gluteal region, failed sciatic nerve block in anaesthesia and injury during posterior hip surgeries. These variations may result in non-discogenic sciatica because of the nerve compressions under other adjacent anatomic structures. Purpose of the study: This study is an attempt to analyse the course, distribution and levels of the division of sciatic nerve into tibial nerve and common fibular nerve and their clinical implications. Results: Out of the total 120 lower limbs studied, deviation from the usual described pattern was observed in four limbs. One cadaver showed bilateral variation while other two described unilateral disparity from the standard prototype. Conclusion: This knowledge of variant anatomy of division and course of sciatic nerve and its terminal branches will not only assist surgeons to take care during interventions, but also facilitate to plan accordingly during various surgical procedures and management.

An undocumented variation involving auriculotemporal nerve, inferior alveolar nerve and middle meningeal artery.

Auriculotemporal nerve typically has two roots, encircling the middle meningeal artery, one anterior to it and another posterior to it as well as maxillary artery. The middle meningeal artery is largest of the meningeal arteries, ascends between the sphenomandibular ligament and lateral pterygoid muscle and traverses between the roots of the auriculotemporal nerve before entering the cranial cavity through the foramen spinosum. The knowledge of the neurovascular relationships of the infratemporal region is significant in surgical practice. We present a case of unusual communication between the auriculotemporal nerve and inferior alveolar nerve together with an extraordinary change in relations with the middle meningeal artery. Some clinical implications that these relations may have on the development of the supplementary innervations and the surgical interventions in this region are discussed in this article.

Morphometric analysis of sella turcica in North Indian population: a radiological study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the morphology and measure the size of the sella turcica in North Indian population. Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 180 individuals (90 males and 90 females) with an age range of 12 - 65 years were taken. Morphology of sella turcica was studied and various measurements were taken to determine the shape of the sella. Statistical analysis was done to calculate differences in dimensions and to establish if any, relationship exists between age, sex and the morphometry of sella turcica. Results: The study found that sella turcica presented with a normal morphology in only 28 per cent of the subjects. A significant difference in linear dimensions between genders was found in sella height and width. When age was evaluated, some dimensions showed negative correlation with the age. Sella size of the older age group was as a rule larger than the younger age. Conclusion: Pathological enlargement of the pituitary fossa can be detected by this technique and may also be helpful in providing data in the assessment of racial, gender, age specific variation in the skull.