[The internal thoracic blood vessels (internal thoracic arteries and veins) and their practical significance]. / Unutrasnji grudni krvni sudovi (a. et vv. thoracicae internae) i njihov prakticni znacaj.

Internal thoracic blood vessels (A. et Vv. thoracicae internae) are parietal vessels of the thoracic anterior wall. Because of their position, they are often exposed to injuries during the fracture of the ribs and the sternal bone. These facts require a general knowledge about the anatomical variations of these vessels, specifically the knowledge concerning their mutual relationship, their anastomoses and their distance from the lateral margins of the sternal bone. Due to the poor and different data in the available literature, we directed our investigations towards the study and confirmation of the described anatomical variations of the internal thoracic blood vessels. In this study we investigated the distance between the internal thoracic artery and the lateral margins of the sternal bone, the level of its bifurcation, the number of the internal thoracic veins and anastomoses between them. The investigation was carried out on 300 formalin specimens consisting of the anterior wall of the thorax (persons of different ages and sexes) by using the method of dissection and the method of contrast injection. In adults (200 specimens), the distance between the arterial trunk and the lateral margin of the sternal bone was not equal in the first fifth or sixth intercostal spaces, but in children up to five years of age (100 specimens), the distance was almost the same. In adults, the internal thoracic artery was nearest to the sternal bone in the first intercostal space, but going downward the artery was gradually more and more distant from the sternum and in the sixth intercostal space the distance measured approximately from 11 mm to 13 mm. In children, the distance of the artery from the lateral margin of the sternal bone, just in the above mentioned intercostal spaces, was from 5 mm to 10 mm. There was no difference according to sex in any of the two groups. Most frequently, the internal thoracic artery gave off its terminal branches at the level of the sixth costal cartilage (adults--35% and children--45%), and most rarely, the bifurcation of the artery was at the level of the seventh costal cartilage (adults--10% and children--8%). The internal thoracic vein that accompanies the same named artery, could be either single or double, on one or both sides. In cases of double veins-the artery was situated between the two of them, but in cases of single vein-the vein was located medially to the artery. In 82% of cases in the adult group, and in 69% of cases in the children-group, there were two veins accompanying the artery. The right and the left internal thoracic veins were connected in the region of the sternal bone by the retrosternal venous net (specifically in the region of the manubrium) and by one venous vessel lying in front of the xiphoid process. According to the position and the course of that venous vessel it could be called "arcus venosus prexiphoideus". The internal thoracic blood vessels were enclosed by the unique fascial sheath. They were superiorly separated from the costal pleura by the endothoracic fascia and inferiorly by the transversal thoracic muscle (m. transversus thoracis). The safest approach to the internal thoracic artery was at the level of the second and the third intercostal space. During the approach through some of the lower intercostal spaces it was necessary to be very careful because they could be narrowed at their anterior ends.

Arcus palmaris superficialis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate in depth the arcus palmaris superficialis in order to evaluate two different views of the superficial blood supply of the palm; the classical view which puts emphasis on the existence of the arcus palmaris superficialis and a new interpretation in which the arcus palmaris superficialis is not mentioned. Fifty upper extremities from fresh human cadavers of both sexes, age range 20-80, were studied. The observations showed that the arcus palmaris superficialis was present in 97% of the cases, that in 85% of the cases it anastomosed with different arteries originating from the radial artery. In 2% of the cases the arteria mediana anterior contributes to the arch and in only 3% of the cases was the arcus palmaris superficialis incomplete. Therefore, it can be concluded that the arcus palmaris superficialis is the main blood vessel of the superficial region of the palm.

[The posterior inferior cerebellar artery]. / Sur l'artère cérébelleuse inférieure postérieure.

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery has a curved course in the region of the medulla oblongata. Besides its frequent individual variations, this vessel exhibits three morphological types: in type 1 (the commonest type, i.e. more than 50% of the cases) it curves with its vertex turned upwards; in type 2, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery turns in a gentle arch on to the posterior surface of the medulla oblongata, so there is no real curve; in type 3, the posterior inferior cerebellar artery curves but its vertex turns downwards. In all of these cases, the artery is in close relationship with the last four cranial nerves. This relationship is most characteristic in the 1st and 3rd types. The morphological types could be recognised on the angiograms.

[Postnatal development and anatomical relationship of the maxillary sinus]. / Le développement post-natal et les rapports du sinus maxillaire.

In children, the maxillary sinus is pyramidal in shape. The apex of the pyramid looks forward, and the base looks backwards. The maxillary sinus has three walls--the superior, the medial and the inferior. The superior wall establishes a relationship with the infraorbital groove and the infraorbital canal during the 4th year. During the first months of life, the maxillary sinus has no relationships with the inferior nasal meatus. At about 6th year, the maxillary sinus is at the height of the floor of the nasal cavity and thus a close relationship is established with the inferior nasal meatus.