ABSTRACT
Background: The volume of various abdominal organs varies with age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI).Scanning of the viscera is carried out to know the normal dimensions and volumes. Studies have shown that thevolume of pancreas is influenced by age, gender, ethnicity, weight, height and BMI. Organ volume and functionreflect the health of the organs. Altered volume of pancreas is associated with infective, infiltrative, immunological,infestative and malignant conditions. Anthropometry varies with races and regions of the world. Specific ethnicpopulation nomograms are needed for proper medical diagnosis and for monitoring disease progress.Results: A total of 300 eligible subjects between 20-60 years of age, who were to undergo abdominal computedtomography (CT) due to various indications, were included in the study. In our study the mean pancreatic volume(PV) was 115.71+-33.60 cm3. Pancreatic volume was significantly correlated with weight, height and BMI of thesubjects in our study.Conclusion: Nomograms from this data can be used locally for Kashmiri ethnic population to allow clinicians toestimate more accurately the degree of atrophy or hypertrophy of organs in certain disorders and thus, avoidfalse positive and false negative diagnosis of pathological enlargement or reduction of pancreas in clinicalpractice.
ABSTRACT
Background: Meissner’s corpuscle is the most complex sensory receptors of the skin; providing information about rapidly fluctuating mechanical forces acting on the hairless skin. Aim of current study was to study density and structural changes in human Meissner’s corpuscles at different ages Methods: Samples were obtained from finger tips of fifteen persons and divided into three groups according to age: group A <15years; group B: 16-45 years and group C: 46-72 years. 5 μm thick sections were prepared, impregnated with silver and observed under compound light microscope. Density of Meissner’s corpuscles (Mcs) was studied by calculating Meissner’s Index (MI). Results: In group A, the MI was 0.86-0.90, which increased to 0.96 in group B and dropped in group C to 0.4 (in the seventh decade). The analysis of variance showed significant difference (P = 0.019) in MIs of the three age groups. The size of the Mcs was largest in group B, followed by group C and smallest in group A. The analysis of variance showed that there was highly significant difference (P = 0.003) between the size of Mcs in all the three age groups. It was observed that morphology of Mcs alter with age. In children these consisted of rudimentary coil of nerve fibers around collection of cells. In adults the intra-corpuscular nerve fibers were compressed into a tight spiral and modifications of nerve fibers, like end bulbs, varicosities and networks, were well developed. In old age Mcs were attenuated consisting of tangled mass of nerve fibers. Conclusion: It can be concluded that in adults the Mcs are greater in number, larger in size and complicated in structure, compared to young and old people.
ABSTRACT
Background: Human glabrous skin has very rich nerve supply in the form of specialized nerve endings like Meissner’s corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, Krause end bulbs etc for carrying sensory information to brain. Aim of study: To study the structure, pattern of innervations and nerve terminations of human Meissner’s corpuscle. Methods: Skin samples from sixty human beings (age range 2 to 72 years) were taken, sections prepared and stained with a cytological (Haematoxylin – Eosin and Vongieson’s stains) and a neural stain (Silver Impregnation). Results: With cytological stain, Meissner’s corpuscles were seen in dermal papillae of glabrous skin, each consisting of a cellular structure having a peripheral capsule and central core of transversely arranged cells. With neural stain, each corpuscle was seen to be oval, globular or cylindrical structure, having a capsule surrounding the core of spirally arranged nerve fibers, sandwiched by Schwann cells. In between nerve fibers of the core were seen small bundles of collagen fibers. 2-6 nerve fibers innervated each Mc from the sub corial plexus of nerves and formed various patterns of nerve endings like networks, end bulbs and varicosities inside the Meissner’s corpuscle. Conclusion: Meissner’s corpuscle is a complex structure composed of capsule - consisting of spindle shaped capsular cells interspersed in collagen fibers, surrounding a core of helically arranged nerve fibers, Schwann cells and collagen fibers.