An unreported variant of palmaris longus muscle.

Palmaris longus is a highly variable muscle of the forearm. Knowledge of its variability is of importance to plastic surgeons, hand surgeons and radiologists. During our routine dissection classes for undergraduate medical students, a peculiar palmaris longus muscle was noted in the left upper limb of an adult male cadaver. The muscle had a fleshy belly in the middle and two tendons: a proximal and distal. The distal tendon of palmaris longus gave origin to a variant fleshy slip of muscle which was inserted partly to the pisiform bone and partly merged with the hypothenar muscles. The ulnar nerve and artery passed deep to this variant fleshy slip. The ulnar artery was tortuous both proximal and distal to this slip. The distal loop of the ulnar artery was very superficial and was in the median position. Both the palmaris longus and the variant fleshy slip were innervated by median nerve.

A rare femoral venous ladder encircling the femoral artery.

Femoral vein is increasingly used for venous cannulation procedures. Its anomalies in the femoral triangle could complicate these procedures. We report an extremely rare type of femoral venous ladder observed during routine cadaveric dissections. The variation was found in the left lower limb of an adult male cadaver aged 70 years. The femoral vein was a single vein in initial 3 cm and terminal 4 cm of its course. The middle part of the vein showed a duplication and a complex ladder pattern and encircled the femoral artery in the femoral triangle. This anomaly could predispose the vein for deep vein thrombosis. Knowledge of this anomaly could be useful during radiological procedures, femoral hernia repair and femoral triangle abscess and lymph node clearance.

Multiple renal veins clogging the hilum of the right kidney.

Knowledge of variations of renal vessels is of utmost importance in retroperitoneal surgeries and kidney transplant surgeries. We report concurrent variations of the right renal vessels, observed in an adult male cadaver during dissection classes. The right kidney was supplied by three renal arteries, out of which two entered the kidney through the hilum and the other one entered through the lower pole of the kidney. There were five renal veins, emerging independently from the hilum and opening separately through five openings into the inferior vena cava. Among the veins, only one emerged anterior to the renal pelvis and the other four emerged behind it. Four of them terminated into the posterolateral aspect of the inferior vena cava, whereas one terminated into its anterior aspect. Fourth vein from above, received the right testicular vein. The renal hilum was clogged with the presence of seven vessels and renal pelvis.

Terminal bifurcation of the external jugular vein: a rare variation.

Variations of external jugular vein are common. Here, we present a rare terminal bifurcation of the left external jugular vein. The left external jugular vein was formed by the union of entire retromandibular vein and posterior auricular vein. One inch above the clavicle, it bifurcated into medial and lateral divisions. The medial division terminated into the internal jugular vein and the lateral division terminated into the subclavian vein. Medial division received a common vein formed by the union of anterior jugular vein and an anonymous vein lying under the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The lateral division received a common vein formed by the union of suprascapular and transverse cervical veins. The knowledge about this variation could be useful to head and neck surgeons, radiologists and plastic surgeons.

Multiple venous variations at the abdominopelvic region: a case report.

Knowledge of vascular variations of the abdominopelvic junction is of importance to surgeons, radiologists, orthopaedic surgeons and other medical disciplines. We report a rare combination of venous variations observed at the abdominopelvic junction of an adult male cadaver. The right common iliac vein was absent. The inferior vena cava was formed by the union of the right external iliac vein and the left common iliac vein. The right internal iliac vein was a tributary of the left common iliac vein. The left common iliac vein was larger than usual in size and its wall was adhered to the right common iliac artery. We discuss the functional, developmental and clinical issues related to the case.

An anomalous muscle clinging around the inferior belly of omohyoid muscle.

Sternohyoid, sternothyroid, omohyoid and thyrohyoid muscles belong to a group of muscles called infrahyoid muscles. A few variations of these muscles and additional muscles in this area have been reported. We report an anomalous muscle in this area. The anomalous muscle took its origin from the posterior surface of the manubrium sterni and was inserted to the posterior surface of the clavicle. This muscle was 6 cm long and interestingly, it made a loop, which was clinging on to the inferior belly of omohyoid posteriorly, superiorly and anteriorly. The muscle was situated between the lower end of sternocleidomastoid and the carotid sheath. It was supplied by ansa cervicalis. Knowledge of this muscle could be useful in surgeries like removal of cervical rib, and cervical lymph node clearance. Hypertrophy of this muscle might compress the internal jugular vein.

Anomalous Course of Facial Artery Through the Submandibular Gland and its Redundant Loop at the Base of Mandible.

Knowledge of variant course and branching pattern of the facial artery gains importance in the surgeries of upper neck and face. The authors report a unilateral anomalous course and a redundant loop of right facial artery as seen in an adult male cadaver. The right facial artery had its origin from the external carotid artery. It pierced through the submandibular salivary gland and formed a redundant loop at the base of the mandible. Its further course and branching pattern was normal. This case could be important for radiologists, plastic surgeons and craniofacial surgeons.

Vascular variations of liver and gallbladder: a case report.

Vascular variations in and around the porta hepatis are common. A sound knowledge of possible variations at these sites is vital for surgeons during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and surgical resection of the liver lobes. We report the case of several variations of the hepatic and cystic arteries in which, the common hepatic artery trifurcated into the gastroduodenal, right hepatic, and left hepatic arteries. The right gastric artery arose from the left hepatic artery and divided into a left and a right branch. The left branch entered the liver through the porta hepatis, while the right branch passed behind the common hepatic duct into the Calot's triangle, provided 2 branches to the gallbladder, and continued to supply the right hepatic lobe. Ligation of the right branch of the right hepatic artery in Calot's triangle during cholecystectomy could cause avascular necrosis of the liver segments it supplies.