An important Norwegian contribution to the study of the bursae of the upper and lower extremities

We present a critical analysis of the monograph of A.S.D. Synnestvedt (1869) “En anatomisk beskrivelse af de paa over- og underestremiteterne forekommende Bursae mucosae”. The analysis was completed using anatomical information from the historically oldest publications dealing with the bursae of the extremities: Albinus (1734), Monro (1788), Rosenmüller (1799). We are of the opinion that Synnestvedt's publication is important, not only historically but also as a source of information for recent medical practitioners. Synnestvedt's monograph has a wealth of literary citations, unambiguous opinions of seasoned anatomists regarding the structure and function of the synovial membrane, and detailed descriptions of dissections he performed on fetal and adult cadavers. The information in this publication may enhance the diagnosis of bursopathies and enthesopathies of the extremities

Superficial brachioradial artery (radial artery originating from the axillary artery): a case report and embryological background

A case of anomalous terminal branching of the axillary artery, concerning the variant called superficial brachioradial artery (arteria brachioradialis superficialis) was described, with special regard to its embryological origin. The left upper limb of a male cadaver was dissected in successive steps from the axillary fossa distally to the palmar region. A variant artery, stemming from the end of the third segment of the axillary artery, followed a superficial course distally. It skipped the cubital fossa, ran on the lateral side of the forearm, crossed ventrally to the palm, and terminated in the deep palmar arch. This vessel is a case of so-called “brachioradial artery” (inexactly called a “radial artery with a high origin”). The origin of the brachioradial artery directly from the axillary artery belongs to the rare variants of the arterial pattern of the upper limb. Its incidence is approximately 3%. Moreover, this vascular variant was associated with another one concerning the brachial plexus. The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm joined the median nerve in the middle third of the arm and ran further distally as a common trunk, as the normal median nerve does. Anatomical knowledge of the axillary region is crucial for radiodiagnostic and surgical procedures, especially in cases of trauma. The superficially located artery brings an elevated risk of bleeding complications in unexpected situations

Bony canal and grooves of the middle meningeal artery: mythic structures in anatomy and neurosurgery?

Background: It has been previously published that the frontal branch of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) is usually embedded in a bony canal (BC). Although the incidence of the BC was over 70%, this structure is currently omitted both in anatomical nomenclature and in most of the literature. We found the same gap pertaining to the grooves for the MMA on the skull base. The aims of our study were to assess the incidence and morphometry of the MMA BC and grooves on the skull base. Materials and methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of 378 patients, 172 skull bases as well as 120 sphenoidal bones and 168 temporal bones, and 12 histological specimens from 3 men and 3 women and 3 different regions of the MMA course were assessed. Results: Based on CT scans, the incidence of the BC was 85.44% and was significantly higher in females than in males. Most of the canals and grooves were bilateral. The mean canal length was 17.67 mm, the mean transverse diameter 1.33 mm, and the mean distance from the superior orbital fissure (dFOS) was 26.7 mm. In the skull bases, the BC incidence was 70.07%, the mean canal length 10.74 mm, and the mean dFOS was 19.16 mm. The groove for the MMA on the temporal and sphenoidal bones was present in 99.42% and 95.35%, respectively. Histological specimens confirmed the presence of the MMA and accompanying vein/s. Conclusions: Based on our results, we suggest the addition of the BC and grooves for the middle meningeal vessels to the upcoming version of the Terminologia Anatomica

A case of a double variant of the arterial system in the upper extremity: Arteria brachialis accessoria et arteria comitans nervi mediani

A thorough knowledge of arteries of the upper extremity is necessary for catheterization, graft harvesting, shunt application, and Astrup’s examination. Coincidences of two different variants are rather rare. We present a case of the coincidental presence of arteria brachialis accessoria stemming from the arteria axillaris and reuniting with the arteria brachialis 1.5cm below the origin of the arteria collateralis ulnaris inferior; and arteria comitans nervi median originated in association with the arteria interossea communis from the arteria ulnaris, passing into the palm and towards the arteriae digitales palmares to the thumb, index and lateral side of the third finger. Such coincidence has never been reported before

The deep venous system of the lower extremity: new nomenclature

The correct and precise nomenclature of the veins of the lower extremity is a necessary tool for communication. Three important changes have been done over the last 13 years. Terminologia Anatomica, the latest version of the Latin anatomical nomenclature, was published in 1998, extended in the area of the lower extremity veins with two consensus documents, in 2001, during the 14th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology and in 2004 during the 21st World Congress of the International Union of Angiology. This article is a free continuation of two previous articles, reviewing the detailed anatomy and correct nomenclature of the superficial veins of the lower extremities and veins of pelvis. Now, it is concentrated on the deep venous system, in which 15 new terms have been added in both Latin and English languages. </jats:p