RESUMO
Background: A research study was conducted in sixteen anatomy museums across India. Aim: The aim of the study is to have an integrated approach while designing a museum. Objective: The objective is to stress on the need to have a holistic approach while designing a museum so that that the museum is well planned and organised and has a huge sectional diversity that spans all aspects related to anatomy. Materials and Methods: All the museums were studied using a planned proforma that emphasised on special features of the museum with special emphasis on sectional variety. Observations: The various techniques of specimen preparation, preservation, mounting and display were observed and photographed. The sectional variety was noted. Moreover the various methods of maintaining specimen related information in pictorial and computerised catalogues was observed. Results and Conclusion: A design of a contemporary anatomymuseumcan nowbe conceived that incorporates all aspects of anatomy from history, evolution, embryology, cross-sectional anatomy, comparative anatomy, teratology, genetics and clinical anatomy to sections with modern techniques like plastination. Such amuseum will certainly have a more holistic approach to anatomy and will be more educative and scientific.
RESUMO
The morphometrical data related to the menisci of the adults have been reported by few authors and that of the fetuses have not been reported. The aims of the present study were to analyse the external circumference thickness, the width, peripheral and inner border lengths, and the distance between anterior and posterior horns of the fetal menisci and to compare the meniscal dimensions with that of the adult meniscal parameters which are available in the literature. The menisci from 106 knee joints of the formalin fixed South Indian fetuses which were obtained from the anatomy department were analysed. The fetuses which had musculoskeletal anomalies were excluded from the study. A vernier caliper of 0.02 mm accuracy and a non elastic cotton thread were used for the morphometry. After comparing the meniscal dimensions of the present study with the adult meniscus parameters, we established that the fetal parameters of the meniscus are entirely different from the adults. These differences are may be due to the mesenchymal differentiation or variability of the vasculature early in embryonic life. We believe that our study will provide support to the fetal anatomy, concerning surgical procedures and arthroscopy of the knee joint. Since the morphometric studies of the fetal menisci are not reported, this study may be considered new and needs to be studied further with different groups of fetuses from various stages of intrauterine development. This study is important not only for orthopedic surgeons, but also for morphologists and embryologists.
Los datos morfométricos relacionados con los meniscos de los adultos han sido reportados por algunos autores, mientras que en fetos éstos aún no han sido descritos. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar, en fetos, el grosor de la circunferencia externa, ancho, y longitud de los márgenes interno y externo, asi como la distancia entre los cuernos anteriores y posteriores. Además, comparar las dimensiones del menisco fetal con los parámetros de adultos disponibles en la literatura. Fueron analizados los meniscos de 106 articulaciones de rodillas fijadas en formalina, pertenecientes a fetos del sur de la India, obtenidos desde el Departamento de Anatomía. Los fetos con anomalías musculoesqueléticas fueron excluidos del estudio. Un pie de metro de 0,02 mm de precisión junto a hilo de algodón no elástico fueron utilizados para la morfometría. Después de comparar las dimensiones del menisco del presente estudio con los parámetros de meniscos adultos se estableció que los meniscos fetales son totalmente diferentes a los adultos. Estas diferencias pueden deberse a la diferenciación mesenquimal o la variabilidad de temprana vasculatura en la vida embrionaria. Creemos que nuestro estudio prestará apoyo a la anatomía fetal, en relación con los procedimientos quirúrgicos y la artroscopía de la rodilla. Los estudios morfométricos no han informado datos en meniscos fetales, por lo que esta investigación puede ser considerada novedosa y requiere seguir siendo estudiada con diferentes grupos de fetos en las diversas etapas del desarrollo intrauterino. Además el estudio de ser importante para los cirujanos ortopédicos, también lo es para morfólogos y embriólogos.