Foramen of Vesalius: Prevalence, Morphology, Embryological Basis and Clinical Implications

The objectives of the present study were to find the prevalence of foramen of Vesalius and to discuss its morphology. The embryological basis of this foramen and its surgical highlights are emphasized. The study comprised 78 human adult dried skulls, which were obtained from the anatomy laboratory of our institution. The greater wing of the sphenoid bone was macroscopically observed for the presence of foramen of Vesalius. It was observed that the foramen was present in 29 skulls (37.2%). It was seen bilaterally in 13 (16.7%) skulls and unilaterally in 16 (20.5%) specimens.Anatomical literature has explained the variation of this foramen by the developmental considerations. We believe that the details of this foramen are known to have significant implications for the medical and surgical literature. The details are also enlightening to the clinical anatomists and other broad specialties of medicine.This sphenoidal emissary foramen contains a bridging vein, which connects the pterygoid venous plexus with the cavernous sinus. This communication is clinically important, since an extra cranial infection may sometimes reach the cavernous sinus through this foramen, which may lead to cavernous sinus thrombosis. Foramen of Vesalius can get injured during the trigeminal nerve block technique performed for the trigeminal neuralgia. In this procedure, the foramen can get hurt by a displaced instrument, which would end up in intracranial bleeding, which can spread the extracranal infection into the cavernous sinus. This may lead to serious disorders like Tolosa Hunt and Gradenigo syndromes. Keywords: Foramen ovale, middle cranial fossa, morphology, skull base, sphenoid bone

The Anterior Transverse Ligament of Knee: Morphological and Morphometric Study in Formalin Fixed Human Fetuses

The objective was to study the morphology and morphometry of transverse ligament of the knee joint in south Indian population. The present study included 53 formalin fixed foetuses which were obtained from the department of Anatomy. There were 106 knee joints which were available for the present study. A vernier caliper of 0.02 mm accuracy was used to measure the length of the transverse ligament. Among our specimens, transverse ligament of the knee was observed in 87.7% of the cases. It was observed bilaterally in 81.1% of cases. The double transverse ligaments were not observed in any of our specimens. The mean length of the transverse ligament measured 3.7 ± 1.5 mm. The statistically significant difference was not observed between the right and left sided transverse ligaments or gender with regard to its length (Student's t test; p > 0.05). The morphological and morphometric data related to the transverse ligament of the knee in human foetuses have not been reported. The present study provides additional information on the morphology and morphometry of the transverse ligament in human foetuses. We believe that the data of the present study will provide support to the foetal anatomy, concerning the surgical procedures and arthroscopy of the knee joint. The findings are enlightening not only for Orthopedic Surgeons, but also for the Morphologists and Embryologists.