A prevalence study of the atlantomastoid muscle.

PURPOSE: To contribute to the documentation and consideration of the prevalence of the atlantomastoid muscle in humans. METHODS: Sixty formalin-fixed cadaveric sides were dissected for the presence of the atlantomastoid muscle (2 sides per donor). Laterality, origin, insertion, and other observable characteristics of the variant were recorded along with donor sex for comparative analyses. RESULTS: The atlantomastoid muscle was observed in nine sides (15%): two left side only, three right side only, and 2 bilaterally. The origin of the muscle was consistent from the transverse process of the atlas, lateral to both the insertion of obliquus capitis inferior and the origin of obliquus capitis superior. In one instance, the origin of atlantomastoid was continuous with the most superior tendinous slip of levator scapulae. The insertion of each atlantomastoid variant was the mastoid process, however, the precise location was variable. CONCLUSION: The atlantomastoid muscle is a common accessory muscle of the suboccipital region; the muscle was present in 15% of the cadaveric sides dissected in this study. Despite the notable prevalence of atlantomastoid muscles, there is little current literature dedicated to its study. Here, we document the first new information related to the prevalence of atlantomastoid since 1964 and discuss the development and potential clinical significance of the muscle.

An online catalog of muscle variants: Student perceptions of a new opportunity for self-directed learning.

OBJECTIVE:: Muscle variants are common findings in dissection laboratories. These anomalous structures can be relevant in the diagnosis and management of certain conditions and therefore could be incorporated into anatomy curricula at chiropractic colleges. We aimed to create an online resource of muscle variants to facilitate student self-directed learning within this area of study. METHODS:: At the time of their discovery during routine educational dissection, muscle variants included in the catalog were documented and subsequent case reports written. All content created for this resource, including photographs and videos, was hosted on the institution's learning management system. Students enrolled in our doctor of chiropractic program were invited to view the catalog and encouraged to leave feedback by completing an online survey. RESULTS:: Student responses to Likert-style survey questions generally indicated high levels of satisfaction regarding the utility and features of the catalog. Open-ended and Likert-style survey questions were used to help guide the future directions of this developing resource. Concurrent anatomy students were not more likely to contribute to the catalog compared to students who had previously completed the university's anatomy course series ( p = .75, 2-tailed Fisher exact test). CONCLUSION:: An online supplement to graduate-level gross anatomy courses can aid in the instruction of muscle variants by providing an opportunity for student self-directed learning. This resource will be updated continually and will be expanded on to include neurovascular and visceral variants. Student participation will be sought in developing future content to be included in this catalog.

Bilateral Tensor Fasciae Suralis Muscles in a Cadaver with Unilateral Accessory Flexor Digitorum Longus Muscle.

Muscle variants are routinely encountered in the dissection laboratory and in clinical practice and therefore anatomists and clinicians need to be aware of their existence. Here we describe two different accessory muscles identified while performing educational dissection of a 51-year-old male cadaver. Tensor fasciae suralis, a rare muscle variant, was identified bilaterally and accessory flexor digitorum longus, a more common muscle variant, was present unilaterally. Tensor fasciae suralis and accessory flexor digitorum longus are clinically relevant muscle variants. To our knowledge, the coexistence of tensor fasciae suralis and accessory flexor digitorum longus in the same individual has not been reported in either cadaveric or imaging studies.