Multiplicity of the variations in ventral branches of abdominal aorta

PubMed ID: 16736714Numerous variations of the ventral branches of the abdominal aorta were observed during routine dissection of the abdominal region in a 63-year-old male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy at Ege University Medicine Faculty. The branches of the celiac trunk were arising from two different trunks as the upper and below ones. The trunk at the upper was gastrophrenic trunk and the trunk at the below was hepatosplenic trunk. The superior mesenteric artery arose from the front of the abdominal aorta just below the hepatosplenic trunk. The relations of the right testicular artery was also unusual. Although the variations of the abdominal aorta branches are common the present case is interesting because of the multiplicity of the variations. The knowledge of these variations could be useful for clinicians for recognition and protection

Clinical importance of the muscular arch of the axilla (axillopectoral muscle, Langer's axillary arch)

WOS: 000230387900019PubMed ID: 16018533The muscular arch of the axilla is described in a male cadaver on the left side. The condition may be the result of a factor affecting the intrauterin development. Because this muscular arch causes difficulties in staging lymph nodes, axillary surgery, thoracic outlet syndrome, shoulder instability or cosmetic problems, it should be kept in mind for axillary pathologies

Reduced hippocampal volume in drug-free depressed patients

WOS: 000235639700014PubMed ID: 16395541A number of studies have used magnetic resonance imaging to examine the volumetric differences in temporal lobe structures especially the hippocampus in patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). Although some studies reported lower hippocampal volume, others did not. It is proposed that the inconsistency among studies may be due to the heterogeneity of patients and antidepressant treatment during scanning. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the hippocampus in drug-free patients. Twenty-four patients (6 males and 18 females) diagnosed as having MDD according to the DSM-IV criteria and 24 healthy controls (6 males and 18 females) were included in the study. Eleven of the patients had their first mood episode and were drug-naive. Other patients were drug-free for at least 4 weeks. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) assessed the severity of depression. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on a 1.5-T MR unit. The Cavalieri method of modern design stereology in conjunction with point counting was used to estimate hippocampal volume. The data were evaluated by a repeated measure of ANOVA and the intracranial volume was taken as a covariate. A significant hippocampal volume difference was observed between the patients and healthy controls (F=4.43, df=1.45, P 0.05). The left hippocampus of patients was significantly lower than those of controls (t=1.98, df=46, P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed a correlation between HAM-D scores and the right hippocampal volume. The results of this study indicate that hippocampus volume is reduced in depressed patients especially in the left side. This finding in the drug-free depressed outpatients without a history of alcohol dependence supports previous studies that have reported lower hippocampal volume

The relationship of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery to cranial nerves VII-XII

WOS: 000250910700005PubMed ID: 17907205The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is the largest branch of the vertebral artery. It usually arises at the anterolateral margin of the medulla oblongata close to the lower cranial nerves. The PICA had the most complex relationship to the cranial nerves of any artery and it is frequently exposed in approaches directed to the fourth ventricle. The aim of this article is to describe the anatomical relationship of the PICA to the lower cranial nerves. In this study, 12.5% of PICAs passed between the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, 20% between the vagus and accessory nerves, and 65% through the rootlets of the accessory nerve. The lateral medullary segment of the PICA showed a lateral loop which in 20% specimens pressed against the inferior surfaces of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. The lateral medullary segment of the PICA in 20% specimens passed superior to the hypoglossal nerve, in 47.5% through the rootlets of the hypoglossal nerve, and in 30% inferior to the hypoglossal nerve. The findings on the relationship of the PICA to the lower cranial nerves could be helpful in microsurgery of this region