RESUMO
Introduction: The oblique popliteal ligament (OPL), chief posterior support of the knee, is an extension of the semimembranosus (SM) tendon and runs superolaterally to the lateral femoral condyle. Due to variations and immense functional value of the OPL, the present study was undertaken to explore the OPL morphology and morphometry. Materials and methods:Thirty cadaveric lower limbs were dissected to observe the OPL in the floor of the popliteal fossa, and its general shape, number of bands and extensions were noted. The morphometry was done using digital callipers in which the length of the upper and lower margins as well as the width of the OPL at the medial and lateral attachments were measured. The width of bands and extensions were also recorded. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of all parameters have been also calculated. Results:The morphological types of the OPL were categorized into four types, which were found in 40%, 50%, 6.6% and 3.3% of specimens, respectively. Types 1 and 2 OPL were band like. Type 1 showed an accessory upper band and type 2, a broad medial attachment. Type 3 was cord like, whereas type 4 was fan like and showed two upper bands. The mean length (upper), length (lower), width of the SM tendon expansion, width at attachment to the medial femoral condyle and width at the lateral attachment were 33.4 mm, 38.41 mm, 8.58 mm, 12.46 mm and 21.42 mm, respectively. Conclusion:The different morphological types of OPL may produce minor alterations in the stability of the knee, especially in trauma. The anatomical knowledge of OPL and its extensions is mandatory for knee surgery in all patients to avoid postoperative complications.
RESUMO
Background The deep palmar arch is formed by anastomosis of the continuation of the radial artery with the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery. With recent advances in microsurgical techniques for vascular repair, the knowledge of variations in the arteries of the hand, as well as the caliber of these arteries, has become more important for surgeons. Additionally, radial artery harvesting for myocardial revascularization is being performed nowadays, for which collateral circulation in the hand through the palmar arches is a prerequisite. Therefore, this study was conducted to study the patterns of the deep palmar arch and perform the morphometry of the arch. Methodology In this study, 30 hands (16 right and 14 left) from formalin-fixed adult human cadavers were dissected to observe the completeness, formation, and branching pattern of the deep palmar arch. The length of the arch was measured using a thread and scale. The diameters of the forming arteries and branches of the arch were measured at their origin using a digital vernier caliper. Results All deep palmar arches were complete. The arches were classified into two types based on whether the superior or inferior deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery completed the arch. Another classification was based on the interosseous space through which the radial artery or its branch entered the palmar region to complete the deep palmar arch. The length of the arch was 4.2 ± 0.47 cm on the right side and 4.0 ± 0.6 cm on the left side. The diameters of the deep palmar branch of the radial and ulnar arteries at their origin were 4.02 ± 0.48 mm and 1.90 ± 0.36 mm, respectively. No significant difference was found between the right and left sides. Conclusions The anastomosis was found between radial and ulnar arteries in all cases of the deep palmar arch. Therefore, it can be safe to sacrifice the radial artery in procedures such as radial artery harvesting and radial artery flap transfer. The knowledge of variations and morphometry of the arch will facilitate vascular repair surgeries on hands.
