Tomando medidas ante la COVID-19: Virtualización de las prácticas de Aparato Locomotor en las asignaturas que imparte el Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología en las titulaciones de Medicina, Fisioterapia, Podología y Terapia Ocupacional

desarrollo de un sistema interactivo para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en la docencia de las prácticas del Aparato Locomotor, que pudiera ser utilizado por los alumnos de Grado de Fisioterapia, Medicina, Podología y Terapia Ocupacional, titulaciones en las que el Aparato Locomotor tiene una importante presencia en sus temarios de prácticas

Elaboración de modelos anatómicos y embriológicos mediante la impresión 3D

La impresión 3D es un enfoque innovador en la docencia anatómica que puede proporcionar a los alumnos un material didáctico casi idéntico a la pieza embalsamada mitigando muchas de las múltiples controversias existentes en torno a la Disecció

Programación infográfica para la representación de los huesos y articulaciones del miembro inferior

Desarrollo de una infografía con los huesos y articulaciones del miembro inferior para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en la docencia de la anatomía topográfica de estas estructuras a través del campus virtual (Grados de CC. de la Salud)

An Unusual Case of Primate Arterial Pattern in a Human Upper Limb

During routine undergraduate dissections of the upper limb, variations on the usual arterial and muscular patterns were observed in a 68 year-old male cadaver. The arterial and muscular pattern found in our specimen is similar to that of some primates in the following terms. 1) Brachial artery duplicity, on the right side, with a superficial brachio-ulnoradial artery. 2) In the right upper limb, the biceps brachii muscle continued with the superficial muscles of the forearm. 3) The brachial artery on the left side, cross over in front of the median nerve, as the only artery of the arm with a network axillary pattern. 4) On both sides, the ulnar artery was superficial and originated at the elbow from superficial brachial arteries. 5) The right anterior interosseous artery intervened in the vascularization of the hand. These results suggest that this may be a case of early detention of human embryonic development and/or the persistence of phylogenetic older patterns. In the literature, we have found no reference to the presence of all these variations in the same individual. The objective of our study was to analyze these variations from an embryological and phylogenetic perspective.Depto. de Anatomía y EmbriologíaFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

Anatomical relationships of the cleidoatlanticus muscle: Interpretation about its origin

An unusual muscular variation, the cleidoatlanticus muscle, was observed on the right-hand side of the lateral cervical region. The upper third of the muscle was concealed by the sternocleidomastoid muscle. There was a loop of nerves surrounding the muscle, formed by an anastomosis between the transverse cervical nerve and the greater auricular nerve. A fine vascular-nervous pedicle (formed by a small branch from the transverse cervical artery and by a branch from the medial supraclavicular nerve) entered the deep surface of the muscle at the junction of its middle and lower thirds. Taking into account the relationships that presented with the superficial branches of the cervical plexus, we consider that the cleidoatlanticus muscle is derived from the sternocleidomastoid muscle.Depto. de Anatomía y EmbriologíaFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

Physicians' viewpoints on faculty anatomists and dissection of human bodies in the undergraduate medical studies

Background: Studies abound regarding the views of faculty anatomists and medical students on the importance of anatomy and the dissection of human bodies, but very little is known about the views of practicing physicians. Methods: A survey was distributed among physicians and surgeons practicing in Spain in order to find out their views on the practice and consequences of human dissection by undergraduate students of medicine. The most relevant definition to qualify faculty anatomists of medical schools was also requested. Responses were repeatedly clustered into characteristic subgroups for analysis. Results: In total, 536 physicians and surgeons belonging to 36 different specialties in seven Spanish hospitals responded to the survey. The results highlighted two main facts. Firstly, faculty anatomists were perceived as teachers, above any other professional identity (namely: physician, biologist or scientist); nonetheless, the ascription of identities varied between specialties (p = 0.009); and it also depended on whether the respondents had dissected in their undergraduate degree (p = 0.03) and on the respondent’s gender (p = 0.03). Secondly, physicians and surgeons confirmed that dissecting human cadavers serves the undergraduate student not only for acquiring anatomical knowledge, but also essential skills and attitudes, including professionalism. Conclusions: The results strongly suggest that dissection practice should be reinforced and enriched in undergraduate medical school. As this is important in itself, the results of the study could also help with the development of strategies to alleviate the current shortage of adequately trained anatomists for medical degrees.Universidad Complutense de MadridDepto. de Anatomía y EmbriologíaFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

Development of the long head of the biceps brachial tendon: A possible explanation of the anatomical variations

The anatomical variations of the proximal portion of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon (LHBT) are rarely observed in clinical practice. However, an increase in the rate of shoulder arthroscopic surgery has led to an increase in the observation of anatomical variations of this region. The aim of this work was to analyze the development of the LHBT in 23 human embryos ranging from the 6th to 8th weeks of development. The LHBT develops from the glenohumeral interzonal mesenchyme in the 6th week. By week 7, the myotendinous junction of the LHBT develops. The anlage of the LHBT is separated from that of the glenohumeral capsule during week 8. Our results suggest that the most important period for the LHBT development occurs between the 6th and 8th weeks of embryonic development. Alterations during this critical period may cause anatomical variations of the LHBT. An additional case report from our own experience is provided as Supplementary material.Depto. de Anatomía y EmbriologíaFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

Physicians' viewpoints on faculty anatomists and dissection of human bodies in the undergraduate medical studies

Background: Studies abound regarding the views of faculty anatomists and medical students on the importance of anatomy and the dissection of human bodies, but very little is known about the views of practicing physicians. Methods: A survey was distributed among physicians and surgeons practicing in Spain in order to find out their views on the practice and consequences of human dissection by undergraduate students of medicine. The most relevant definition to qualify faculty anatomists of medical schools was also requested. Responses were repeatedly clustered into characteristic subgroups for analysis. Results: In total, 536 physicians and surgeons belonging to 36 different specialties in seven Spanish hospitals responded to the survey. The results highlighted two main facts. Firstly, faculty anatomists were perceived as teachers, above any other professional identity (namely: physician, biologist or scientist); nonetheless, the ascription of identities varied between specialties (p=0.009); and it also depended on whether the respondents had dissected in their undergraduate degree (p=0.03) and on the respondent's gender (p=0.03). Secondly, physicians and surgeons confirmed that dissecting human cadavers serves the undergraduate student not only for acquiring anatomical knowledge, but also essential skills and attitudes, including professionalism. Conclusions: The results strongly suggest that dissection practice should be reinforced and enriched in undergraduate medical school. As this is important in itself, the results of the study could also help with the development of strategies to alleviate the current shortage of adequately trained anatomists for medical degrees.Universidad Complutense de MadridDepto. de Anatomía y EmbriologíaDepto. de CirugíaFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

Basic morphological characteristics of coracoid grafts obtained by open and arthroscopic Latarjet techniques: A comparative study

Background: A knowledge of the anthropometric characteristics of the coracoid graft (CG) that can be obtained by the open and arthroscopic Latarjet techniques may be beneficial in the preoperative planning and intraoperative decision making for coracoid osteotomy and transfer. We have not found any study that compared the morphology of the CG that can be obtained from open and arthroscopic Latarjet techniques. The purpose of this study was to verify if the basic anthropometric characteristics of CGs are equivalent. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the basic anthropometric characteristics of the CGs are similar. Methods: Twenty fresh-frozen human paired cadaveric shoulder specimens that had been randomly distributed in two groups of 10 specimens each were used. Two surgeons, each with experience in performing the open and arthroscopic Latarjet technique, performed these procedures in each of the respective groups (OG, open group; AG, arthroscopic group). A CT scan was performed. Using the volume rendering technique, a metric analysis of the volume, area and length of the CG were performed, evaluated and statistically analysed. Results: There were no significant differences in length (p = 0.162) (mean length, 22.6 mm for OG and 23.6 mm for AG). There were significant differences in the volume (p = 0.031) and area (p = 0.007) of the CG, being lower in the OG (mean volume, 2.8 cm3 for OG and 3.6 cm3 for AG; mean area, 9.9 cm2 for OG and 12.8 cm2 for AG). No significant differences were observed by sex or laterality. Conclusion: The mean lengths of the CGs that were obtained by each technique are equivalent. However, the areas and volumes of the grafts are different, being lower in the open surgery. These differences have not been an impediment to perform the technique. Our results corroborates that consolidation is more related to the preparation and placement than to the anthropometric characteristics of the CG. No significant differences were observed by sex or laterality

Initial stages of development of the submandibular gland (human embryos at 5.5–8 weeks of development)

The aim of this study was to determine the main stages of submandibular salivary gland development during the embryonic period in humans. In addition, we studied submandibular salivary gland development in rats on embryonic days 14-16 and expression in the submandibular salivary gland region with the monoclonal antibody HNK-1. Serial sections from 25 human embryos with a greatest length ranging from 10 to 31 mm (Carnegie stages 16-23; weeks 5.5-8 of development) and Wistar rats of embryonic days (E) 14-16 were analysed with light microscopy. Five stages of submandibular salivary gland development were identified. The prospective stage (1), between weeks 5.5 and early week 6, is characterized by a thickening of the epithelium of the medial paralingual groove in the floor of the mouth corresponding to the primordium of the submandibular salivary gland parenchyma. At this stage, the primordium of the parasympathetic ganglion lies below the lingual nerve. The primordium of the submandibular salivary gland parenchyma is observed in rats on E14 in the medial paralingual groove with mesenchymal cells, underlying the lingual nerve. These cells are HNK-1-positive, corresponding to the primordium of the parasympathetic ganglion. The bud stage (2), at the end of week 6 in humans and on E15 in rats, is characterized by the proliferation and invagination of the epithelial condensation, surrounded by an important condensation of the mesenchyme. The pseudoglandular stage (3) at week 6.5 is characterized by the beginning of the formation of lobes in the condensed mesenchyme. The canalicular stage (4), between week 7 and 7.5, is characterized by the appearance of a lumen in the proximal part of the submandibular duct. The innervation stage (5) occurs during week 8, with the innervation of the submandibular and interlobular ducts. Nervous branches arriving from the parasympathetic ganglion innervate the glandular parenchyma. Numerous blood vessels are observed nearby. Our results suggest that submandibular salivary gland development requires interactions among epithelium, mesenchyme, parasympathetic ganglion and blood vessels.Depto. de Anatomía y EmbriologíaFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu