Rare morphological variants of the bones: epicondylar processes, metopic suture and Wormian bones in XVIII century skeleton.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of the female skeleton from the 18th century revealed a collection of morphological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthropological evaluation and dental X-ray techniques allowed the age to be determined at 12-13 years. RESULTS: The distal parts of the both humerus bones had distinct, supracondylar processes of about 5 mm at the medial-lateral surface. The frontal bone had a well-preserved metopic suture along the entire length of the squama. There were also two Wormian bones (Inca bones), asymmetrical mastoid foramen, and only left non-obliterated condylar canal. CONCLUSIONS: The skull measurements allowed the cranial index to be determined - 93.5 (brachycephalia) and height-length index - 98.6 (akrocephalus). Moreover, X-ray analysis of incomplete dentition was made.

Four left renal arteries - a rare variant of kidney arterial supply.

We describe the arterial supply of a human kidney harvested post-mortem from a 75-year-old female volunteer body donor. The kidney was analysed with con- trast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and corrosion casting was used to reveal the kidney's angio-architecture. In the left kidney, we observed four renal arteries, each originating directly from the abdominal aorta. Three renal arteries, including the main renal artery, coursed through the renal hilum, and the fourth renal artery reached the lower kidney pole. The supply areas of each of the four renal arteries were analysed with a three-dimensional reconstruction of CT images and with corrosion casting. There were no clear boundaries between the areas supplied by the four renal arteries because their branches overlapped in most kidney segments.

Adrenergic and cholinergic innervation of the atrioventricular valves in chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger).

The arrangement of autonomic fibres was studied in the cardiac atrioventricular valves of small chinchillas. The dissected valves were stained entirely using the modified histochemical acetylcholine esterase technique (AChE) and the SPG-De la Torre method. Double immunocytochemical staining was also used for the expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH). The study showed the presence of both cholinergic and adrenergic fibres, forming a kind of network on all cusps of both valves. The adrenergic network is always more strongly represented than the cholinergic network. The cholinergic nerve network of the "parietal" part formed mainly the parallel arrangement. As we move towards the free parts of the cusps, the arrangement becomes netted and radiant. The adrenergic fibres formed only the netted arrangement, which was the most dense in the peripheral (parietal) part of the cusps. Some of the fibres in the vicinity of tendinous cords extended as far as the papillary muscles. Double immunocytochemical tests confirmed the presence and distribution of DBH- and VAChT-positive fibres. Some fibres (especially within the tendinous cords) show VAChT and DBH colocalisation.

Extrahepatic biliary tract in chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, Molina).

The aim of the study was the macromorphological analysis of extrahepatic biliary tract in chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger Molina). Bile ducts, the gall bladder and portal vein were injected with coloured latex. Using the technique of dissection, bile ducts were isolated from the liver lobes. It was found that the cystic duct in this species is rarely single. Hepatic ducts form a system of multiple anastomosing structures running in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Many bile duct openings were observed in the duodenal papilla. The results confirm wide variations of the biliary tract in mammals and may be important for comparative analysis of the morphological differentiation of these structures in small mammals.

Morphology and immunohistochemical characteristics of the pterygopalatine ganglion in the chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger, Molina).

Histological and histochemical investigations revealed that the pterygopalatine ganglion (PPG) in the chinchilla is a structure closely connected with the maxillary nerve. Macro-morphological observations disclosed two different forms of the ganglion: an elongated stripe representing single agglomeration of nerve cells, and a ganglionated plexus comprising smaller aggregations of neurocytes connected with nerve fibres. Immunohistochemistry revealed that nearly 80% of neuronal cell bodies in PPG stained for acetylcholine transferase (CHAT) but only about 50% contained immunoreactivity to vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VACHT). Many neurons (40%) were vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-positive. Double-staining demonstrated that approximately 20% of the VIP-immunoreactive neurons were VACHT-negative. Some neurons (10%) in PPG were simultaneously VACHT/nitric oxide synthase (NOS)- or Met-enkephaline (Met-ENK)/CHAT-positive, respectively. A small number of the perikarya stained for somatostatin (SOM) and solitary nerve cell bodies expressed Leu-ENK- and galanin-immunoreactivity. Interestingly about 5-8% of PPG neurons exhibited immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Intraganglionic nerve fibres containing immunoreactivity to VACHT-, VIP- and Met-ENK- were numerous, those stained for calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)- were scarce, and single nerve terminals were TH-, GAL-, VIP- and NOS-positive.

Arteries supplying the base of the brain in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Using stained acryl latex injected techniques the arteries of the base of the brain in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) were studied. The brain of the Mongolian gerbil is supplied with blood by even internal carotid arteries and odd basilar artery. The branches of the internal carotid arteries supply the forebrain and interbrain. They form the arterial circle at the base of the brain. The basilar artery is a source of blood for the midbrain and hindbrain. In this species, except one case, the opened type at the back side of arterial circle was found. The posterior communicating arteries between basilar artery and internal carotid arteries were not observed.

Topography of arterial circle of the brain in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest).

Using stained acryl latex-injected techniques, the arterial circle of the brain in Acomys cahirinus Desmarest was studied. Results revealed an important individual variability of investigated structure. Three morphological variants were found: (1) the lack of typical arterial circle--opened in front and the back side, (2) partial opened at the back side, (3) completely closed arterial circle. This finding is opposed to many species of mammals, including rodents, and especially laboratory mouse. In our point of view, it seems to be a specific character.

A comparative study on cardiac ganglia in midday gerbil, Egyptian spiny mouse, chinchilla laniger and pigeon.

Using the thiocholine method and histological techniques, the topography and morphology of cardiac ganglia in midday gerbil, Egyptian spiny mouse, chinchilla laniger and pigeon were studied. The results demonstrated that cardiac ganglia in all investigated species are embedded in epicardial fat. They formed plexo-ganglionic structures. Each of them composed of many ganglia (from seven up to 36) different in size and shape, and interconnected by fascicles of nerve fibres. Comparative analysis showed that the density of neural network and cell aggregations was different in individual species. The richest plexo-ganglionic structure was in pigeon. It was organized in three plexo-ganglia with an average of 30 ganglia. The largest one was located along the anterior interventricular sulcus. The cardiac ganglia of investigated mammals were localized mainly on the epicardium of atria; in Egyptian spiny mouse and chinchilla laniger on the ventral surface of right atrium, but in midday gerbil on the dorsal surface of left atrium. Moreover, in midday gerbil and Egyptian spiny mouse the little plexo-ganglionic structure on the ventricle were noticed. Additionally, in midday gerbil the single nerve cells might be observed between cardiac muscle of atria. It can be said that, the strongly developed cardiac plexus in pigeon is probably connected with his behaviour and functional properties of the heart. The arrangement of neurones in cardiac ganglia of all examined mammals was uniform over the whole surface of the sections, while in the pigeon, neurones were located mainly in the peripheral part of the ganglion.

The comparative analysis of the myenteric plexus in pigeon and hen.

Using the thiocholine method and histological techniques the myenteric plexuses of pigeon and hen were studied. Investigations revealed the presence of a nervous network in the wall of the small intestine of both animals. It consists of many nerve fibres crossing each other and creating meshes in a variety of shapes. The density of the network was different according to the species and to the parts of intestine. The myenteric plexus from the pigeon's duodenum is thicker (3.7-fold) than in the remaining part of the small intestine; in the hen this is approximately 2.2-fold thicker. The meshes of the duodenum in both species are smaller than in the jejunum and ileum. The results of histological investigations showed different localization of myenteric plexuses; in pigeon in the space between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, and in hen within the circular muscle.

Morphology, topography and cytoarchitectonics of the otic ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest).

Using the thiocholine method of Koelle and Friedenwald and histological techniques, the otic ganglion in Egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus, Desmarest) was studied. The ganglion was found to be a single oval cluster of neurocytes, situated at the medial and posterior surface of the mandibular nerve just above the maxillary artery. The ganglion is composed of typical ganglionic neurons in compact arrangement without a thick connective-tissue capsule.