A study of sexual dimorphism in permanent mandibular canines and its implications in forensic investigations.

Teeth are well preserved after death and they exhibit remarkable sexual dimorphism. Hence, they provide excellent materials for forensic investigations intended for identification of sex. Present study was undertaken on permanent mandibular canines of 90 male and 90 female subjects of age group 17-23 years. The mesiodistal width for right and left mandibular canines and intercanine distance were measured. Subsequently, canine index was calculated for both sides. Significant sexual dimorphism was found in all parameters except intercanine distance. All the results were compared with previous studies and discussed in the light of genetic, evolutionary and metabolic reasons for sexual dimporhism.

Agenesis of isthmus of thyroid gland, its embryological basis and clinical significance--a case report.

A wide range of morphological varieties and developmental anomalies of the thyroid gland have been reported in literature such as hypoplasia, ectopy, hemi agenesis, and agenesis. Out of these the incidence of agenesis of the isthmus of thyroid gland is rare and very few cases have been reported. In the present case report a male cadaver was found with agenesis of isthmus of thyroid gland with pyramidal lobe and levator glandulae thyroidae arising from right lobe.

Variation in relation of cords of brachial plexus and their branches with axillary and brachial arteries--a case report.

Anatomical variations in the formation, course and distribution of brachial plexus are well documented. The present report describes some rare variations with regard to relation of cords of brachial plexus, median and ulnar nerves with the third part of axillary artery and brachial artery in the left upper limb of an adult male cadaver. All three cords of brachial plexus were noted to be lateral to all three parts of axillary artery. Median nerve was lateral to brachial artery and ulnar nerve was between the brachial artery and median nerve. Further distribution of median and ulnar nerves was normal. The arterial pattern in left arm (axillary and brachial arteries) was also normal. The findings were noted after thorough and meticulous dissection of both the upper limbs (axilla, arm, cubital fossa, forearm and palm) of the same cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur, Nepal. The right upper limb revealed no abnormality. It is important to be aware of such variations while planning a surgery in the region of axilla and arm as these nerves are more liable to be injured during surgical procedures. Possible embryological explanations and clinical significance have been discussed.

Rare variations in the formation of median nerve--embryological basis and clinical significance.

During routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy, CMS, Nepal, anomalous median nerves with regard to their formation were found in three different adult male cadavers. In one cadaver, there was variation in the formation of the median nerve and its relation with the axillary artery. Another cadaver revealed the formation of the median nerve by three roots, while in the third one, the median nerve was found to be formed by four roots. However, in each of the three cadavers the distribution of the anomalous median nerve was normal in arm, forearm and palm. The arterial pattern in the arm (axillary and brachial arteries) was also found to be normal. In each case the opposite upper limb was also meticulously dissected to exclude bilateral abnormality. However, in each case the anomaly was unilateral. Photographs of the abnormalities were taken for proper documentation. The variations related to the formation of median nerve by more than two roots are relatively uncommon as compared to the other types of varations of median nerve. Some embryological explanations are available to explain these variations. Finally, knowledge of these variations is important particularly to the surgeons for carrying out surgical procedures in axilla and arm.