Unusual formation and sub-omohyoid course of external jugular vein.

Variations in the origin and termination of external jugular vein are common and are reported in the past. However, variations in the course of external jugular vein are uncommon. During routine dissection classes for medical undergraduates, we came across the unusual formation and course of right external jugular vein and absence of common facial vein, in an approximately 60-year-old male cadaver of Indian origin. External jugular vein was formed by the continuation of undivided trunk of retromandibular vein. Following its formation, it passed vertically superficial to sternocleidomastoid muscle to the lower part of occipital triangle. In the occipital triangle it pierced the investing layer of deep cervical fascia and passed deep to the inferior belly of omohyoid muscle and coursed through the subclavian triangle. Then, it terminated at the junction of subclavian vein with internal jugular vein. Facial vein joined with submental vein and finally drained into internal jugular vein. Further, the posterior auricular vein and anterior jugular veins were absent. Knowledge about the variations of the retromandibular vein, common facial vein and external jugular vein observed in this study, may be important for the surgeons, to prevent inadvertent injury and excessive bleeding during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

Variant origin of the left vertebral artery from a vertebro-subclavian trunk associated with an unusual branch arising from the brachiocephalic trunk.

Variant origin of the left vertebral artery (LVA) from the arch of aorta is well documented in the literature. Involvement of complex sequential developmental steps in the aortic arch formation results in different patterns of origin of LVA. Morphological variations in the LVA are thought to alter the cerebral hemodynamics and can cause the cerebral dysfunction. Knowledge of the morphological variations of the LVA is useful while performing the head and neck and thoracic surgeries. We here report one of the extremely rare patterns of the LVA origin, in a male cadaver aged about 65 years. LVA and left subclavian artery (LSA) arose as a common vertebro-subclavian trunk from the convexity of the aortic arch. Further, brachiocephalic trunk (BT) gave an unusual artery from its anterior surface. This artery divided into thymic and tracheal branches. Variant origin of thymic branch may be crucial during imaging and thymectomy procedures

Anatomical variation of the extensor tendons of the second toe in the dorsum of the foot: a case report.

Extension of the lateral four toes of the foot is caused by the extensor digitorum longus. Each tendon of the extensor digitorum longus is attached to the middle and distal phalanges of the corresponding toes. The medial three tendons receive the insertion of lateral three tendons of the extensor digitorum brevis. During regular dissection for the undergraduate medical students, we came across a rare variation of extensor tendons of the second toe. The extensor digitorum brevis gave two tendinous slips to the second toe; medial slip and lateral slip. The extensor digitorum longus tendon for the second toe received the insertion of extensor digitorum brevis medial slip for the second toe, opposite to the base of second metatarsal bone. Further, the lateral slip of the extensor digitorum brevis was inserted to the lateral side of the extensor digitorum longus tendon for the second toe, opposite to the base of the proximal phalanx. Precise knowledge about the anomalies of extensors of the toes is clinically important while harvesting the tendon grafts. The knowledge of the anomaly presented in present case report is also important during plastic and orthopaedic surgeries as preference and selection of a donor site for a tendon graft is crucial

Rare Case of Double Looped Ansa Cervicalis Associated with its Deep Position in the Carotid Triangle of the Neck

Ansa cervicalis (AC) frequently shows its variations in the formation and distribution pattern. However, variation in its looping pattern associated with abnormal topographic disposition is relatively rare. Knowledge on the possible deviations in the looping pattern is clinically important, to avoid iatrogenic injuries in surgical procedures. We report here a concurrent rare case of double looped AC located deep to internal jugular vein. Anatomy of its superior root was normal, but the usual appearance of inferior root had gone astray due to formation of double loop. AC is being popularly used for nerve reconstructive surgery in treating paralyzed larynx, tongue hemiatrophy. Anatomical variation of it may potentially jeopardize the surgical procedures. Therefore, it is essential to the surgeons to be familiar with its unusual variations.Keywords: Ansa cervicalis, Double loop, Nerve muscle transplant, Variatio