Is tricuspid valve really tricuspid? / 대한해부학회지

Advancement in imaging techniques and interventional cardiology procedures have generated renewed interest in anatomy of tricuspid valve complex. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the morphology of tricuspid valve leaflets using objective criteria. Thirty-six embalmed cadaveric hearts were utilized for the present study. Leaflet morphology was studied using newly defined criteria. Commissural zones were identified and leaflets were delineated. Presence of scallops was also recorded. Single leaflet was observed in six cases, double in 26 cases, and triple in four cases. The anterior leaflet is large with multiple scallops and frequently accrues portion of inferior leaflet. The septal leaflet is in the form of a plateau and also frequently accrues parts of inferior leaflet. The inferior leaflet rarely occurs as independent leaflet. A wide un-indented basal zone exists across the valve leaflets. The study found that the tricuspid valve is rarely tricuspid. It also generated the hypotheses that the tricuspid valve does not open completely due to presence of a wide basal zone and the valve does not close completely owing to incongruence and lack of coaptation of leaflets. The findings provide clear understanding of leaflet morphology of tricuspid valve. This will help imaging specialists for interpretation of images and cardiologists for interventional procedures. The findings also enhance our understanding of pathophysiology of conditions like functional tricuspid regurgitation.

Rectus and oblique muscles of eyeball: a morphometric study of Indian population / 대한해부학회지

During the strengthening and weakening procedures of intraocular muscles, distance of insertion from the sclerocorneal junction is an important determinant in the identification of muscles. During repositioning of the aponeurosis of the muscles, it is desired that the width should not change in order to avoid diversion of forces. Available anatomic studies on insertions of extraocular muscles are few, date back to early twentieth century and have been conducted on mostly white population. The present study is an attempt to document the insertions of recti and oblique muscles in Indian population. Forty eyeballs were removed from orbit. Insertion of recti and obliqui were cleaned and eyeballs were perfused with normal saline to regain the volume (hence shape and size) before recording observations. Insertion of recti and obliqui muscles were observed under various study parameters. The distance of insertion of recti from the limbus were found to be 7.3 mm, 8.06 mm, 8.71 mm, and 8.74 mm for medial, inferior, lateral, and superior rectus, respectively. The superior oblique was aponeurotic and found to be more variable in mode of insertion as compared to inferior oblique which had a fleshy and relatively constant insertion. The observations on insertion of recti and obliqui as obtained in present study differ from earlier studies to the tune of 1-1.5 mm. This may be attributed to adoption of method of reperfusion of eyeball before recording observations thus maintaining size close to in vivo. The observations are expected to be closer to actual.