Examining the microanatomy of various fetal body parts using the orcein-picroindigocarmine staining method.

It is difficult to distinguish muscle, vessel, nerve, fascia, tendon and many other structures in fetal sections. The aim of the study reported here was to research the practicability of orcein-picroindigocarmine staining for distinguishing anatomic structures in histological sections containing complex structures. Histological serial sections of hand, foot, head and neck of four 18- to 20-week old fetuses were used. Bone matrix was stained bright blue, collagen fibers tones of green to blue, elastic fibers brown, cartilage matrix tones of pink, and chondroblasts blue. Muscles and erythrocytes were stained yellow to green, epidermis reddish brown, skin appendices including hair and nail stained light yellow to green.

Phrenic nerve distribution in the rabbit diaphragm and morphometric analysis of nerve branches.

The best method to evaluate the pathogenesis of diaphragmatic disorders is to demonstrate the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. For this purpose the branching pattern and the microanatomic features of the phrenic nerve were observed in six rabbits. All diaphragms were stained by using Sihler's stain method. The phrenic nerve divided into three to four branches when entering the diaphragm. These branches were classified as sternal, anterolateral, posterolateral and crural. The crural branches were the thickest whereas the anterolateral branches were the thinnest. Knowledge about the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve may be important in surgical approach to the diaphragm.

The incidence and types of sella and sphenopetrous bridges.

The incidence and types of sella and sphenopetrous bridges were investigated in 37 adult male and 43 adult female (a total of 80) dry skulls with removed calvarias. In addition to this, the sellar and parasellar region of ten fixed cadavers (two female and eight male) were carefully dissected, and the individuals were examined for the evidence of sella and sphenopetrous bridges. Sella bridges were seen in 34.17% of the subjects overall. The trace, incomplete and complete types were 11.9%, 3.7% and 17.5%, respectively. On the other hand, sphenopetrous bridges were observed in 15.8% of the male and 4.9% of the female subjects overall. The cadaveric investigation revealed one trace, three incomplete, and one complete sella bridge in three cadavers. In addition to this, a complete sphenopetrous bridge was detected in one of the cadavers. Variations in the cranial base are of importance for surgical approaches in that location.

Clearing and embedding in polyester resin for demonstrating the nerve distribution pattern of skeletal muscles.

The preservation of many stained gross specimens in solution creates some difficulties. It is convenient and effective to preserve material in polyester resin instead of glycerol. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of clearing and embedding using polyester resin. The samples consisted of the nerve distribution patterns of skeletal muscles stained using Sihler's method. The muscles were cleared more successfully and the intramuscular nerve distributions were demonstrated better in polyester than in glycerol. The method presented here eliminates not only the storage and handling problems of specimens, but also problems such as pale stains and the molding of preparations. Furthermore, it is more convenient to examine and to photograph specimens cleared and embedded in polyester than those stored in glycerol.

The incidence of basal sphenoid bony bridges in dried crania and cadavers: their anthropological and clinical relevance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar bony bridges and the variations in these bony bridges among Anatolians. A total of 452 adult dry skulls (258 males and 194 females) of the Anatolian population were investigated for both the pterygospinous and the pterygoalar bony bridges. In 80 of the 452 dry skulls (37 male and 43 female), it was possible to inspect the cranial cavity. In these skulls, sellar and sphenopetrous bridges were also investigated. In addition to this, the mandibular nerve of 9 fixed cadavers was carefully dissected and the distribution of its branches was determined on both sides. Complete pterygospinous osseous bridges were found in 5.5% of the samples and complete pterygoalar bridges in 4.9%. In the dry skulls with removed calvaria, complete sellar osseous bridges were found on both sides in 34.2% of specimens, complete pterygospinous bridges in 8.8% and complete pterygoalar bridges in 7.5%. No complete sphenopetrous bridges were found. In the cadaveric study, nerve entrapment due to a pterygoalar ligament on the left side was found in one cadaver. Such variations should be kept in mind in clinical complaints such as mandibular neuralgia, especially during chewing.

Demonstration of the nerve distribution of the masticatory muscles in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Two methods can be used in order to demonstrate the nerve distribution of an organ. One is the three-dimensional reconstruction of the innervation pattern of the organ by tracing images of that organ from serial histological sections. The other is the in toto staining of the organ with subsequent clearing of the muscles. In the present study, in order to visualize the nerve distribution of the organ, that organ was completely cleared and the nerve fibres were stained. Detailed morphological structure of the intramuscular nerve distribution of a certain region and its functions are of importance not only for anatomists and physiologists but also for clinicians. In this study eight New Zealand rabbits were used to visualize the intramuscular nerve distribution of the muscles involved in mastication (temporalis m., pterygoideus medialis m., digastricus m., retractor mandibulae m. and masseter m.). The main nerve bundle was observed entering into the muscle as a single trunk and dividing into three branches in the muscle. These branches were also observed dividing into several subbranches while going to the periphery. When the samples were examined under a stereomicroscope, 'Y'-, 'I'- and 'O'-shaped communications between those branches were observed.

Incidence of os japonicum in Anatolian dry skulls and plain cranium radiographs of modern Anatolian population.

INTRODUCTION: The zygoma may sometimes be divided into two parts by either a horizontal or a vertical suture. Such a bipartite bone has been given the name of os japonicum as it has been mostly observed in Japanese. MATERIAL: In this study 1266 zygomatic bones in 633 Anatolian dry skulls and 1348 zygomatic bones in 674 plain cranium radiographs of adult patients have been examined. RESULTS: Os japonicum was present in 2.2% of female and 1.7% of male subjects. All of the 24 multipartite bones observed in the study were bipartite except one. In addition, of 690 female zygomatic bones examined radiologically 15 (2.2%), and 658 male bones 12 (1.8%) were bipartite or tripartite, a total of 674 plain cranium radiographs. CONCLUSION: The results were compared with those of other populations. As a result evaluation of both dry skulls and plain radiographs as a single sample, our results were again closely similar to Main Island Japan and other East Asia groups.

Congenital mesenteric aneurysm and mesenteric arterioportal fistula.

A unique case with superior mesenteric artery aneurysm and arterioportal fistula resulting from mesenteric arteriovenous malformation is presented, and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Tuberculous peritonitis: ultrasonic diagnosis.

Tuberculous peritonitis is an uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis and specific radiologic features of it have not been defined. The diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis has been made prospectively in 4 patients with sonography. The findings included free ascites; multiple, fine, delicate septations and incomplete mobile strands of fibrin; peritoneal thickening and nodularity. In the differential diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis, peritoneal carsinomatosis, peritoneal mesothelioma, pyogenic peritonitis, and hemoperitoneum should be considered.

Intrathoracic lipomas demonstrated by computed tomography.

Nine cases of intrathoracic lipoma are reported. Computed tomography (CT) proved to be helpful in the diagnosis and management of these cases. The attenuations of the masses ranged from -70 to -140 Hounsfield units (HU). In 4 cases, needle biopsies were taken, confirming lipoma with mature fat cells. One patient also had a coelomic cyst with an attenuation of 20 HU, which was confirmed at thoracotomy. Another had an atypical lipoma which infiltrated the thoracic wall but was benign. In conclusion, we recommended investigation with CT scan for the diagnosis of lipoma.