Corpus callosum and optic chiasm in early blind adults

Certain callosal dimensions, callosal areas, and the optic chiasm [OC] thickness were measured in order to detect any morphometric difference that would imply plastic changes in a selected group of adults. Seventeen early blinds were selected among a group of blind adults after performing interviews. These selected blind subjects, and 23 adults with normal vision of both genders were examined by MRI. The study was conducted in Mersin, Turkey between the years 2004 and 2006. Only 14 early blind subjects completed the MR imaging procedure. Statistically significant difference between the OC thicknesses of 2 groups was found whereas no statistically significant difference was detected for the callosal dimensions. The difference in the OC dimensions of the 2 groups may be explained by the disuse atrophy. It has been known that if a cortical area of any sense is deprived of stimulus within the critical period, then it may take on another cortical activity. The reasons for the unaffected dimensions of the corpus callosum [CC] in this study may be either the relatively small percentage of the fibers related to vision within the total CC, such as auditory function, of the "normally" visual cortex

case of large scalenus minimus muscle

During the dissection of an 80-year-old, white, male cadaver, a large scalenus minimus muscle was detected on the right side. Scalenus minimus muscle, a fiber bundle which strengthens the suprapleural membrane, arises from the anterior tubercle of the transverse process of the 7th cervical vertebra, and inserts to the inner border of the first rib and cupula pleura. In the present case, the scalenus minimus muscle on the suprapleural membrane was large on the right side. Its origin was on the anterior tubercle of the transverse process of the 7th cervical vertebra, and the muscle was located between the C7 and C8 anterior rami. The present case is noteworthy because of its great dimension and relation with the brachial plexus. Apart from its importance in cervical region anesthesia and surgery such an anatomical structure can lead to several clinical conditions both by spasm and compression such as neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome

Bilateral Congenital Anophthalmos and Agenesis of the Optic Pathways

This report presents a rare example of a bilateral congenital anophthalmos and an agenesis of the optic pathways. The MR imaging studies revealed that the eyeballs, optic nerves, optic chiasm, optic tracts and optic radiation were absent. The chromosomal examination was normal. Mild mental retardation was also observed. Apart from the rarity of the anophthalmos and the total absence of the optic pathways, no etiologic reason for this pathology could be detected, which makes this case more significant.

significance of the neurovascular structures passing through the spinoglenoid notch

To define the detailed anatomy of the neurovascular bundle at the spinoglenoid notch and to report the dimensions of these structures in cadavers. In the present study, the external diameters of suprascapular artery, vein and nerve were measured at the spinoglenoid notch region in 18 formalin fixed cadavers [36 shoulders] by using a caliper. The study was carried out in the dissection laboratory of Anatomy Departments of Hacettepe University, Ankara University, Ankara and Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey, between 2002 and 2003. The average external diameter for the suprascapular vein was 2.6 mm, artery was 2.2 mm and nerve was 2.2 mm. The spinoglenoid notch was roofed by the spinoglenoid ligament and appeared as a fibroosseous foramen in all cadavers. We found that the vascular structures [suprascapular artery and vein] occupied 68.5% and the suprascapular nerve occupied 31.5% of this foramen. Although the diameters of the vascular structures at the spinoglenoid notch measured by magnetic resonance imaging have been reported, to our knowledge, external diameters of these structures at the spinoglenoid notch have not been described in cadavers. We believe that detailed anatomy of suprascapular neurovascular bundle at the spinoglenoid notch should be appreciated for better understanding of risk factors possibly causing the suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome, specially for those who are involved in violent overhead sports activities such as volleyball and baseball

significance of the neurovascular structures passing through the spinoglenoid notch

To define the detailed anatomy of the neurovascular bundle at the spinoglenoid notch and to report the dimensions of these structures in cadavers. In the present study, the external diameters of suprascapular artery, vein and nerve were measured at the spinoglenoid notch region in 18 formalin fixed cadavers [36 shoulders] by using a caliper. The study was carried out in the dissection laboratory of Anatomy Departments of Hacettepe University, Ankara University, Ankara and Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey, between 2002 and 2003. The average external diameter for the suprascapular vein was 2.6 mm, artery was 2.2 mm and nerve was 2.2 mm. The spinoglenoid notch was roofed by the spinoglenoid ligament and appeared as a fibroosseous foramen in all cadavers. We found that the vascular structures [suprascapular artery and vein] occupied 68.5% and the suprascapular nerve occupied 31.5% of this foramen. Although the diameters of the vascular structures at the spinoglenoid notch measured by magnetic resonance imaging have been reported, to our knowledge, external diameters of these structures at the spinoglenoid notch have not been described in cadavers. We believe that detailed anatomy of suprascapular neurovascular bundle at the spinoglenoid notch should be appreciated for better understanding of risk factors possibly causing the suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome, specially for those who are involved in violent overhead sports activities such as volleyball and baseball