Unilateral Variation of Lumbricals with An Incomplete Superficial Palmar Arch.

Lumbricals as a part of intrinsic musculature of hand, are important for precise movements of digits. They perform flexion at metacarpo-phalangeal joints and extension at inter-phalangeal joints. During routine dissection of an adult male cadaver we observed a rare variation of lumbricals of the right hand. The first lumbrical was unusually arched, making a sinuous appearance instead of being linear. The other lumbricals were also showing a sinuous pattern. In addition, the second lumbrical was bipennate in origin. This variation was accompanied by an incomplete superficial palmar arch where the radial and ulnar sides of the arch were separated. Though it’s a case report but we can’t deny a role of evolution process of human being or any occupational impact for better proprioception for such a variation. Clinicians and surgeons should be aware of such variations of lumbricals and superficial palmar arch while dealing with hand surgeries.

Bilateral Anatomical Variation in the Arterial Supply of Face Involving the Facial and Transverse Facial Artery.

We present a case-report whereby a bilateral variation in the arterial supply of face was seen. The facial artery which is the main artery of face was seen terminating in the lower part of the face, as the inferior labial artery and few other branches; the transverse facial artery, which supplements the facial artery normally, was seen to enlarge and take over the course of facial artery, giving the superior labial and lateral nasal branches. The small pre-masseteric branch arising from facial artery was seen only on right side of face. It was absent on left side. Accurate knowledge of the normal and variant arterial anatomy of the facial artery is important for vascular radiology and will provide an anatomical basis to assist surgeons in performing maxillo-facial surgeries successfully. The details of this variation and its clinical significance are discussed herein.