A quantitative estimation of the divergence between the trabecular system and the stress trajectories in the upper end of the human femoral bone.

In the frame of the widely accepted theory that the internal architecture of the cancellous part of the bones is strongly influenced by the mechanical stresses that predominate inside them, a quantification of the convergence between the direction of the principal stresses and that of the trabeculae has been attempted, by measuring the angle between these 2 directions, in frontal sections of the upper end of a series of femoral bones (left and right), taken out from embalmed human cadavers. This study suggests that there is a fairly good convergence between trabeculae and stress (compressive as well as tensile), since the angles which have been measured have a mean value of +/- 7 degrees. It is further observed that this convergence is better (i.e. the angle is lesser) in those parts of the section where the corresponding stress (compressive or tensile) is greater. This result may prove particularly useful in connection to the effort of elucidating the mechanism that governs the influence of bone stress to osteogenesis.

Anatomical observations on the intermediate ganglion of the cervical sympathetic trunk (based on 232 specimens).

In a series of 116 adult dissecting-room human cadavers, the frequency, location and branches of the intermediate ganglion of the cervical sympathetic trunk were studied, bilaterally, i.e. in 232 specimens. The frequency of the ganglion was found 24.14%, of which in 12.93% a middle cervical ganglion was also present. The intermediate ganglion, lying usually anterior to the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra (41.2%) or to that of the sixth (35.3%), gives off splachnic and vascular branches and rami communicantes to the 6th and 7th cervical nerves. Its rami internodiales contribute to the prevertebral and subclavian ansae. Because of its independent preganglionic fibers the knowledge of its frequency and surgical anatomy is of significance in gangliectomies.

Arterial segmentation of the human spleen by post-mortem angiograms and corrosion-casts.

In a series of seventy adult human spleens, obtained from embalmed dissecting-room cadavers and post-mortem bodies, the extrasplenic division and intrasplenic architecture of the terminal branches of the splenic artery and of its polar arteries were studied via extrasplenic dissection, angiograms and injection-corrosion casts. The results showed that the splenic artery is divided into two (85.7%), or three (14.3%) primary branches, each of which is subdivided, mostly, into two to four secondary branches. Moreover, a superior polar artery (60.0%) and inferior polar arteries (80.0%) are given from the splenic trunk or from one of its primary branches. The human spleen is divided accordingly into two or three main arterial segments, separated by a definite avascular plane. Also, a rather constant avascular plane separated the polar segments from the remaining of the organ. Each main segment is also subdivided, usually into two to four less constant secondary segments, the architecture of which and the avascular planes between them are very variable. The findings of this study and other relative studies consist the anatomical basis for highly conservative surgical management, as an alternative to splenectomy, in cases of splenic rupture.

The relations of the superior pole of the stellate ganglion to the vertebral artery.

The relations of the superior pole of the stellate ganglion to the vertebral artery and to the transverse processes of the last cervical and the first thoracic vertebrae were studied in 440 specimens (220 adult human embalmed cadavers). The superior pole of the ganglion was found, most commonly, within an "arterial triangle" bordered by the subclavian, the common carotid and the vertebral arteries (75.8%), at the level of the inferior third of the vertebral artery (79.8%) and anterior to the interval between the transverse process of the seventh cervical and the first thoracic vertebrae (48.6%). The variations of these locations of the stellate ganglion, found in this study, may be of significant surgical anatomical importance.

Some observations on the course and relations of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves (based on 348 specimens).

In a series of 174 dissecting-room embalmed human cadavers, of both sexes, observations have been made on the variations in the course and relations of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves. The mean distance of both the nerves and ot their common trunk (whenever present) from the middle of the inguinal ligament has been found to be as follows:: Iliohypogastric nerve; 2.70 cm (2.75 cm on the right side and 2.66 cm on the left side), ilioinguinal nerve; 0.64 cm (0.62 cm on the right side and 0.67 cm on the left side), and common trunk 0.62 cm (0.70 cm on the right and 0.54 cm on the left side). The position of the iliohypogastric nerve was less than 2.0 cm from the middle of the inguinal ligament in 22.21% of the cases. Conversely, the position of the ilioinguinal nerve was greater than 1 cm from the middle of the inguinal ligament in 23% of the cases. The distance between the emergence of these nerves subcutaneously and the linea alba is not constant. The data obtained from the measurements were not statistically different with regard to either side or sex. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the variations in the course of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves and of their common trunk is of practical clinical importance.

Anatomical observations on the accessory obturator nerve (based on 1000 specimens).

In a series of 500 adult human embalmed cadavers the accessory obturator nerve has been looked for, bilaterally, and its formation and distribution studied. This nerve was formed by roots from the anterior primary divisions of L3 and L4 (63.6%) or L2, L3 and L4 (10.6%), or L2 and L3 (7.6%), or L3 (6.1%) or from the trunk of the obturator nerve (12.1%). The frequency of this nerve was found to be 13.2 percent (13.3 % in males and 12.9% in females) of the 1,000 specimens examined, with a predominance on the left side of the body (15.2 : 11.2). Some questions with regard to the variability of the frequency of this nerve referred to in the literature are analyzed and discussed.