The Variations of the Subclavian Artery and Its Branches

PubMedID: 10693329This study reports important variations in branches of the subclavian artery in a singular cadaver. The origin of the left vertebral artery was from the aortic arch. On the right side, no thyrocervical trunk was found. The two branches which normally originate from the thyrocervical trunk had a different origin. The transverse cervical artery arose directly from the subclavian artery and suprascapular artery originated from the internal thoracic artery. This variation provides a short route for posterior scapular anastomoses. An awareness of this rare variation is important because this area is used for diagnostic and surgical procedures

Usefulness of nasal morphology in surgical approaches for skull base tumors

Linear measurements of the nasal bones (height and width) and piriform aperture (height, upper and lower widths) were taken from 56 dry adult Anatolian skulls of unknown age and sex. The shape of the nasal bones was classified (types A to E) using the criteria outlined by Hwang et al. A new piriform aperture index (height/lower width) (types I to IV) was calculated defining its shape. The mean height and width of the nasal bones were 19.3 and 12.4 mm, respectively, with type A being observed in 39.3% of skulls, type B in 3.6%, type C in 12.5%, type D in 10.7%, and type E in 33.9%. The mean height, upper and lower widths of the piriform aperture were 36.3, 16.6, and 23.9 mm, respectively, with the shape of piriform aperture being type I in 25.0% of skulls, type II in 51.8%, type III in 10.7%, and type IV in 12.5%. Racial differences are apparent in the proportions of nasal bone types and dimensions of the piriform aperture, which must be taken into account during subcranial, transnasal, and transsphenoidal approaches of surgery for tumors involving the base of the skull. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc

Location, number and clinical significance of nutrient foramina in human long bones

PubMedID: 17319614Nutrient arteries, the main blood supply to long bones, are particularly important during the active growth period, as well as during the early phases of ossification. In the present study, 569 adult human long bones of the upper (101 humeri, 93 radii, 102 ulnae) and lower (100 femora, 100 tibiae, 73 fibulae) limbs were investigated to determine the number and location of their nutrient foramina. For each bone, a foraminal index was calculated giving the location of the nutrient foramen in relation to its proximal end. In the upper limb, foramina were located on the diaphysis 15-69% of the overall length of the humerus, 22-46% for the radius and 27-54% for the ulna. In the lower limb, foramina were located on the diaphysis 29-69% of the overall length of the femur, 27-63% for the tibia and 26-83% for the fibula. In addition, the number and the distribution of the foramina in relation to specific regions/surfaces of the diaphysis were identified. This study provides additional and important information on the location and number of nutrient foramina in the long bones of the upper and lower limbs in the Turkish Caucasian population. © 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved

Importance of craniofacial asymmetry in surgery

Asymmetry in human craniofacial bones is a common feature in all individuals. These right-side and left-side differences may give rise to misleading clinical and radiologic evaluation in cases of potential trauma. In addition, a knowledge of asymmetry is important for some surgical procedures and approaches. The purpose of this study was to determine some aspects of craniofacial asymmetry in human skulls. Measurements using a digital calliper were taken between specific bony features from the right and left sides of 45 dry Anatolian skulls of unknown age and sex. From these measurements an asymmetry index was calculated. The right and left mean values and associated standard deviations of the following distances were found: the infraorbital foramen to the anterior nasal spine 34.87±2.65 and 33.96±2.59 mm; the greater palatine foramen to the posterior nasal spine 17.72±1.69 and 17.37±1.75 mm; the foramen spinosum to the basion 36.22±2.80 and 36.29±2.76 mm; and the foramen spinosum to the zygomatic arch at the zygomatic-temporal suture 37.60±3.58 and 37.88±3.12 mm. For each of these linear distances an asymmetry index [(right side-left side)/right side)×100 was calculated. The mean and standard deviation of the asymmetry indices were: infraorbital foramen to the anterior nasal spine 4.69±3.67 mm; greater palatine foramen to the posterior nasal spine 4.51±4.63 mm; foramen spinosum to the basion 3.25±3.34 mm; and foramen spinosum to the zygomatic arch at the zygomatic-temporal suture 3.71±3.49 mm. An awareness of craniofacial asymmetry is important when planning surgical intervention in all patients, in particular in those with recognizable craniofacial asymmetry. © 2011 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins