Anatomical development of the fetal uterus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to gather data on the morphology of the uterus during its development, to provide detailed information regarding the neighboring structures and its variations using anatomical dissections. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty uteri acquired from female fetuses aged 10-40 weeks of gestation were used in this study. Firstly, the relationship between the fetal uterus and the linea terminalis and the position of the uterus within the pelvic cavity was noted. Then the distance between the fundus of the uterus to the promontory and pubic symphysis were measured. Fetal uteri were classified according to their physical appearances. Finally the lengths of the corpus and cervix in three planes and the anteflexion angle were measured. RESULTS: During the fetal period, the fundus of the uterus was above the linea terminalis in 94% and below it in 6% of the cases. The distance between the fundus of the uterus and the promontory significantly correlated with the distance between the fundus of the uterus and the pubic symphysis (p<0.001). This was true for the correlation between the gestational age and the orthogonal lengths of the uterine corpus and cervix (p<0.001). As the gestational age advanced, the anteflexion angle was noted to reduce from 177 degrees to 120 degrees . The shape of the uterus was either cylindrical, pear-shaped, heart-shaped or hourglass-shaped during the fetal period. CONDENSATION: We believe that the data obtained through dissections of the human fetuses in this study will help identifying uterine developmental variations, anomalies and pathologies and will contribute to the studies carried out in obstetrics, perinatology, forensic medicine and fetal pathology departments.

Muscle variations and abnormal branching and course of the ulnar nerve in the forearm and hand.

During dissection of the right forearm of a 27-year-old female cadaver, variations in the form and insertion of the palmaris longus muscle were observed. The tendon of the palmaris longus muscle, which demonstrated a centrally placed belly, split into two tendons: one inserted into the palmar aponeurosis and the other into the proximal part of the flexor retinaculum. Additionally, we found an accessory muscle extending between the flexor retinaculum and the tendon of the abductor digiti minimi muscle. This accessory muscle was located deep to the ulnar artery but superficial to the superficial and deep branches of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. Finally, an aberrant branch of the ulnar nerve was identified in the forearm; it traveled distally alongside the ulnar artery and in the palm demonstrated communications with common palmar digital nerves from the ulnar and the median nerves. No variations were observed in the contralateral upper limb.

An unusual termination of the ulnar nerve in the palm.

During the dissection of the left forearm and hand of a 57-year old male cadaver fixed in 10% formalin, it has been noted that the medial proper palmar digital nerve to the little finger arose from the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve, instead of the superficial branch of the same nerve. The dorsal branch, given off by the ulnar nerve in the forearm, coursed distally and dorsally deep to the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. Some 2 cm proximal to the pisiform, it pierced the deep fascia on the posteromedial side of the muscle to become superficial. At this point, one of the three branches given off travelled distally on the palmar-ulnar side of the hand to the skin of the little finger. There were connections between this branch and the branches of the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve which innervated the skin of the hypothenar eminence. Further, another branch of the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve passed under the fibrous arch of the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle origin and the opponens digiti minimi muscle to re-unite with its parent nerve.