Morphometric parameters of the human adult kidney: an anatomical study / Parámetros morfométricos del riñon humano adulto: un estudio anatómico

The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomic parameters of the kidney in adults. The Renal lengths, width at superior and inferior poles, thickness at the superior and inferior poles were measured in 151 adult cadaver kidneys. A digital vernier caliper was used for performing the measurements. The data were statistically analyzed. The mean renal length was 8.9 ± 0.9 cm on the right side and 9.1 ± 0.9 cm on the left side. The mean width of the superior pole of the right kidney was 4.9 ± 0.6 cm and the left kidney was 5 ± 0.7 cm. The width of inferior pole of the right and left kidneys were 4.8 ± 0.6 cm and 4.5 ± 0.7 cm respectively. The mean thickness of the superior pole of the right kidney was 3 ± 0.4 cm and left kidney was 3.2 ± 0.5 cm. The mean thickness of the inferior pole of the right and left kidneys were 3.1 ± 0.4 cm and 3.2 ± 0.5 cm respectively. There was no statistical significance with respect to the length of both the kidneys. However there was some data on width and thickness among the right and left side showed the difference which was significant statistically. The present study has provided additional information on the renal morphometry which will be of use to the surgeons and radiologists.

El propósito de este estudio fue determinar los parámetros anatómicos del riñon en los adultos. La longitud renal, ancho de los polos inferior y superior, y grosor de los polos superior e inferior se midieron en riñones de 151 cadáveres adultos. Se utilizó un caliper vernier digital para realizar las mediciones y los datos fueron analizados estadísticamente. La longitud media renal fue 8,9±0,9 cm en el lado derecho y 9,1±0,9 cm en el lado izquierda. El ancho promedio del polo superior del riñón derecho fue 4,9±0,6 cm y del riñón izquierdo fue 5±0,7 cm. El ancho promedio del polo inferior del lado derecho e izquierdo riñones fueron 4,8±0,6 cm y 4,5±0,7 cm, respectivamente. El grosor promedio del polo superior en el riñón del lado derecho fue 3±0,4 cm y el izquierdo 3,2±0,5 cm. El grosor promedio del polo inferior del riñon del lado derecho e izquierdo fueron 3,1±0,4 cm y 3,2±0,5 cm, respectivamente. No hubo diferencia significativa en relación con la longitud de los riñones. Sin embargo hubo algunos datos en ancho y grosor entre el lado derecho e izquierdo que mostraron diferencia significativa. El presente estudio ha proporcionado información adicional sobre la morfometría renal que puede ser de utilidad para los cirujanos y radiólogos.

In vivo morphometry of menisci of the knee in South Indians: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Since the in vivo morphometric data on the menisci of the knee joint of Indian subjects are scarce, we hereby studied the width and thickness of the menisci using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to establish standard dimensions of the normal medial and lateral meniscus as an aid to orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: Eighty menisci from 40 knee joints were analysed in each of three regions, the anterior horn, the mid body and the posterior horn. The thickness and width of the menisci were measured in sagittal and coronal T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI images and analysed statistically. RESULTS: The mean thickness of medial meniscus at the anterior horn, mid body, and posterior horn were 6.3 ± 1.1 mm, 5.2 ± 1.3 mm, and 6.9 ± 1.1 mm, respectively. The respective values for the lateral meniscus were 4.8 ± 0.7 mm, 6.4 ± 1.1 mm, and 7.0 ± 0.9 mm. The mean width of medial meniscus at the anterior horn, mid body, and posterior horn were 10.5 ± 1.2 mm, 7.8 ± 1 mm and 13.9 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. The widths of lateral meniscus at the same regions were 11.8 ± 1.4 mm, 8.6 ± 1.2 mm, and 12.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. The lateral meniscus was significantly wider than medial at the anterior horn and mid body (p = 0.00). In contrast, the posterior horn of medial meniscus was significantly wider than lateral meniscus. Both menisci were significantly wider at their posterior horn, followed by the anterior horn and were significantly narrower at their mid body. CONCLUSION: The present study provides new information on the meniscal thickness and width in South Indians that can be used in planning of orthopaedic and arthroscopic surgeries of the knee joint. However, the study needs to be analyzed with a large sample size for the better interpretation.

Topography and morphological anatomy of nutrient foramina in human metacarpal bones and their clinical implications.

PURPOSE: To study the morphological and topographic anatomy of nutrient foramina and to determine the foraminal index of metacarpal bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 438 unpaired, human metacarpal bones of unknown age and sex. Nutrient foramina in each of the bones were grossly identified in relation to their number and location. The foraminal index was calculated by applying the Hughes formula. A digital vernier caliper was used to perform the measurements. RESULTS: Among our specimens, 93.1% of metacarpals had single foramen, 2% had double foramina, 0.3% of the bones had triple foramina and in 4.6% of cases the foramen was absent. The mean foraminal indexes of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th metacarpal were 60.1, 53, 43.1, 43.7 and 45.9 respectively. CONCLUSION: It was observed that the morphology and topography of nutrient foramina vary among different metacarpals. In 1st and 2nd metacarpals, foramina were more common at the medial surface and in other metacarpals, mostly seen on the lateral surface. The knowledge about these foramina is important in certain surgical procedures to preserve the circulation. This data is important to the plastic surgeon for microvascular bone transfer surgeries.

Bone morphometry.

OBJECTIVES: To compare anatomical measurements with that of radiological measurements. BACKGROUND: The radiological measurements are commonly used in clinical practice. It is well known that the anatomical measurements are more accurate than radiological. The comparison of anatomicoradiological measurements is not reported hitherto. METHODS: One human adult cadaveric femur bone was used for the present study. It was measured both anatomically and radiologically. RESULTS: In digital X- ray measurements, the length from the upper lip of fovea capitis to the most prominent part of greater trochanter was 87.2 mms, from the upper most part of greater trochanter to the isthmus it was 147.9 mms, mediolateral width of medullary cavity at the isthmus was 8.9 mms, the mediolateral width at the distal root of lesser trochanter was 18.5 mms, anteroposterior width of medullary cavity at the isthmus was 11.5 mms, the anteroposterior width at the distal root of lesser trochanter was 16.8 mms. The same measurements were 91.2 mms, 154.6 mms, 11.8 mms, 19.7 mms, 11.9 mms and 18.5 mms when taken anatomically using the digital vernier caliper. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that in all the parameters measured the radiological values were slightly lesser than the anatomical values. Considering the variations in the values, the implants can be designed for a particular case in orthopedic surgery. We believe that this study adds an important reference in the scientific literature (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 5).

Morphological analysis and morphometry of the foramen magnum: an anatomical investigation.

AIM: The objectives were to study the morphology of the foramen magnum in dry skulls and to evaluate its antero-posterior diameter, transverse diameter and the foramen magnum index. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The foramen magna of 53 dry human cadaver skulls that were obtained from the neuroanatomy laboratory were examined. Different shapes of the foramen magnum were macroscopically noted and classified. The antero-posterior and transverse diameters were measured and the average foraminal index was calculated. RESULTS: The foramen magnum shapes were determined as a round shape in 22.6% of cases, egg shape in 18.9%, tetragonal in 18.9%, oval in 15.1%, irregular in 15.1%, hexagonal in 5.6% and pentagonal in 3.8% of the cases. In 20.7% of skulls, the occipital condyle was observed to protrude into the foramen. The mean antero-posterior and transverse diameter of the foramen magnum was determined as 31 ± 2.4 mm and 25.2 ± 2.4 mm respectively. The average foramen magnum index was 1.2 ± 0.1. CONCLUSION: The present study has determined the various shapes of foramen magnum and its morphometry. The data obtained may be of useful to the neurosurgeon in analyzing the morphological anatomy of craniovertebral junction. The findings are also enlightening for the anthropologists, morphologists and clinical anatomists.

Anthropometric study of the bicipital groove in Indians and its clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: Since morphometric data on the upper end of the humerus from Indian anatomical samples are scarce, this study was undertaken with reference to orthopedic surgery. The aim was to determine the length, width and depth of the bicipital groove and to find the incidence of a supratubercular ridge of Meyer in an Indian population. METHODS: The study included 104 unpaired dry humeri (48 right side and 56 left) which belonged to the anatomy laboratory of our institution. The length, width and depth of the bicipital groove were measured with a digital vernier caliper. The data were tabulated as mean ± SD and statistically compared between the right and left sides. RESULTS: The mean length, width and depth of the bicipital groove were 84.6 ± 10.9 mm, 8.5 ± 2.3 mm and 4.4 ± 1.8 mm, respectively, which corresponded to 27.8% of the total length, 32.2% of the transverse width and 17% of the anteroposterior widh of the humerus, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in these parameters between the left and right sides (p > 0.05). A supratubercular ridge of Meyer was seen in 24 (23.1%) of the humeri. CONCLUSION: The study determined the morphometric parameters of the bicipital groove in an Indian population. We believe that this study will be an important reference for scientific research, and the details are also important for anthropologists and clinical anatomists.

Pulmonary fissures and lobes: a cadaveric study with emphasis on surgical and radiological implications.

PURPOSE: The objective was to study the morphology of fissures and lobes of the lung in South Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 60 adult cadaveric lungs which were obtained from the human anatomy laboratory. The specimens were macroscopically observed for gross morphology of fissures and lobes. RESULTS: Only 32 (53.3%) lungs showed the fissures and lobes as described in the standard anatomy texts. Among the right lungs, 15 (46.9%) had incomplete horizontal fissure, 6 lungs (18.7%) had absence of the horizontal fissure and one lung (3.1%) had the azygous lobe. The remaining 10 right lungs (31.3%) showed the usual morphology. In the left lungs, normal morphology was observed in 22 cases (78.6%), 2 lungs had incomplete oblique fissure (7.1%), one lung had (3.6%) absence of the oblique fissure, one lung showed an accessory fissure and lobe (3.6%). The anomalous multiple fissures and lobar pattern was observed in 2 cases (7.1%). CONCLUSION: Morphological knowledge of fissures and lobes of the lung is of importance to the thoracic surgeons in performing lobectomies and segmental resection. The radiologists should have an idea about these variations in interpreting the MRI and CT scans. We believe that the data from the present study certainly adds an important reference in the medical literature.

Morphological and topographical anatomy of nutrient foramina in human upper limb long bones and their surgical importance.

OBJECTIVES: To study the morphology and topography of nutrient foramina and to determine the foraminal index of the upper limb long bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 243 upper limb long bones, which included humeri, radii, and ulnae. The nutrient foramina were identified macroscopically in all the bones and an elastic rubber band was applied around these foramina. The bones were photographed with the digital camera and foramen index was calculated. Each bone was divided into five equal parts and was analyzed topographically. RESULTS: From our observations, 93.8% of the humeri had single nutrient foramen. The double foramen was observed in 3.1% of the cases and the foramen was found absent in 3.1% of the humeri. In case of radius, 94.4% had single foramen, 1.4% had double foramen, and in 4.2% of the cases it was absent. With respect to ulna, all the 75 bones had single foramen. The mean foraminal index was 57.6 for the humerus, 34.4 for both the ulna and radius. The majority (70%) of the foramina in humerus were located at the 3/5th part, 83.6% of the ulnae foramina at the 2/5th part and 87.7% of the radii foramina at the 2/5th part. CONCLUSIONS: The study has provided additional information on the morphology and topography of nutrient foramina in upper limb long bones. The knowledge about these foramina is useful in certain surgical procedures to preserve the circulation. As microvascular bone transfer is becoming more popular, a convention for the anatomical description of these foramina is important.

Neurovascular foramina of the human clavicle and their clinical significance.

PURPOSE: To study the topographic anatomy and morphology of neurovascular foramina of the human adult clavicles. METHODS: The study comprised 52 clavicles, which were obtained from the anatomy laboratory. The clavicles were macroscopically observed for the number, location and direction of the nutrient foramina. The foramen index was calculated for each clavicle by applying the Hughes formula. RESULTS: The neurovascular foramen was observed in 50 (96.1%) clavicles. The foramen was single in 20 (38.5%) clavicles, double in 23 cases (44.2%), and there were more than 2 foramina in 7 clavicles (13.4%). The foramen was present at the middle 1/3 region in 92.3% clavicles, at the medial 1/3 region in 9.6% and at the lateral 1/3 part in 1.9% clavicles. It was on the inferior surface in 55.8% clavicles, on the posterior surface in 69.2% and at the superior surface in only 1.9% of clavicles. The average distance of the foramen from the sternal end was 64.4 mm and the mean foraminal index was 44.72. CONCLUSIONS: The present study observed that the foramina were more common on the posterior surface and were often multiple, directed toward the acromial end. Knowledge of the localization of nutrient foramina can be useful in certain surgical procedures to preserve circulation. We believe that the data obtained from the present study would be of interest to clinicians who are involved in procedures such as bone grafting, surgical approach for internal fixation and coracoclavicular ligament repair.