The subanconeus muscle

There is a paucity of information in the extant literature regarding the detailed anatomy of the subanconeus (articularis cubiti) muscle. Our current study seeks to elucidate further the presence, morphology, and potential function of this muscle. Eighteen cadaveric upper extremities underwent dissection of their posterior elbow joint capsule with special attention to any fibres attaching to it from the triceps brachii muscle. We found that all specimens had various amounts of muscular attachment of the medial head of the triceps into the posterior joint capsule. It was noted that the highest concentration of fibres was into the joint capsule near the groove for the ulnar nerve. No specimen was found to have a distinct muscle belly associated with these connections to the joint capsule. On all sides these fibres were simply deeper attachments of the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle. Following tension on these deeper fibres retraction of the joint capsule was not noted but rather compression of the capsule. We would speculate on the basis of our study that these fibres of the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle do not represent a separate muscle per se and do not retract the posterior elbow joint capsule with extension of the forearm as has been theorised. It is possible that compression of the posterior elbow joint capsule from these deeply placed fibres of the triceps brachii restricts the elbow fat pad from being displaced and allows it to cushion the contact made between the olecranon process and the olecranon fossa

Klippel-Feil anomaly with associated rudimentary cervical ribs in a human skeleton: case report and review of the literature

Anomalies of the cervical spine are intriguing anatomically and often come to clinical attention. Fusion of one or more cervical vertebral segments, the Klippel- Feil anomaly (KFA), often causes increased motion at the vertebral segments superior to and inferior to the fused level with a resultant premature wear of these joints. We report an adult male skeleton with fusion of his C6 and C7 vertebral bodies (Type II KFA). A remnant of the intervertebral disc space was noted and bilateral rudimentary cervical ribs were observed emanating from the C7 vertebrae. Excessive joint degeneration was noted between the vertebral bodies of C5 and C6. Following our review of the literature and case report, it appears that there is an increased incidence of the presence of cervical ribs in KFA. We review the literature for coexistent KFA and cervical ribs and discuss their dysembryology

An unusual muscle of the wrist with potential compression of the ulnar nerve

During routine cadaveric dissection of the upper extremity an unusual muscle was discovered arising from the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris and inserting into the muscle belly of the flexor digiti minimi. The muscle’s course was superficial to the ulnar nerve and artery in Guyon’s canal. We review the literature regarding such muscle variations and discuss the potential for compression of the ulnar nerve by such muscles

An unusual muscular variation of the infratemporal fossa

The infratemporal fossa is often the site of pathology or surgical intervention. We describe an unusual muscle found during the routine dissection of the right infratemporal fossa. The literature germane to this variable muscle, best described as a variant of the pterygoideus proprius, is reviewed. The clinician may contemplate the wide array of muscular anomalies within the infratemporal fossa when considering unexplained neurological symptoms attributed to branches of V3 and pursue appropriate diagnostic testing

Bilateral accessory middle cerebral arteries associated with an aneurysm of the anterior circulation

An accessory middle cerebral artery is one variation of the intracranial vasculature that may be a source of misinterpretation by clinicians dealing with cerebrovascular diseases. We report a case of an elderly female found to have bilateral accessory middle cerebral arteries, who presented with the rupture of an aneurysm of the anterior part of the circle of Willis. Accessory middle cerebral arteries are rare anatomical findings and the bilateral occurrence is exceedingly rare. We believe this to be the first report of bilateral accessory middle cerebral arteries associated with an aneurysm of the anterior cerebral-anterior communicating arteries. The anatomical and clinical relevance of this variation is described

The morphology and function of the quadrate ligament

There is a paucity of information in the literature regarding the quadrate ligament and the information that does exist is extremely conflicting. We dissected 30 cadavers (60 sides) to determine the morphology and function of this enigmatic ligament. A quadrate ligament (thickening of the elbow joint capsule) was found in all specimens. In all specimens this band was distinct from the circumferential fibres of the annular ligament. The length, width, and thickness of the quadrate ligament were found to be 11 mm, 8 mm, and 1 mm respectively. This ligament not only aided in securing the neck of the radius to the ulna but also resisted excessive supination and, to a lesser degree, pronation of the forearm. Following transection of the quadrate ligament, the head of the radius was secured to the ulna considerably less firmly and supination and pronation increased by 10 to 20 degrees and 5 to 8 degrees respectively. The quadrate ligament contributes to proximal radioulnar stability, limits the "spin" of this joint, and should be considered in manipulation, surgery, or imaging of the proximal forearm

Origin of Life

The evolution of life has been a big enigma despite rapid advancements in the fields of biochemistry, astrobiology, and astrophysics in recent years. The answer to this puzzle has been as mind-boggling as the riddle relating to evolution of Universe itself. Despite the fact that panspermia has gained considerable support as a viable explanation for origin of life on the Earth and elsewhere in the Universe, the issue remains far from a tangible solution. This paper examines the various prevailing hypotheses regarding origin of life like abiogenesis, RNA World, Iron-sulphur World, and panspermia; and concludes that delivery of life-bearing organic molecules by the comets in the early epoch of the Earth alone possibly was not responsible for kick-starting the process of evolution of life on our planet.Comment: 32 pages, 8 figures,invited review article, minor additio

Has the Tradeoff Between Productivity Gains and Job Growth Disappeared?

Die Bemühungen der politischen Entscheidungsträger, das Produktionswachstum nachhaltig anzu-kurbeln, können durch einen Trade-Off zwischen Produktivitätssteigerung und Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen behindert werden. Der vorliegende Artikel erbringt empirische Belege dafür, dass heute das negative Verhältnis zwischen Produktivitätssteigerung und Zunahme der Beschäftigung, wie man es in den 1960er und 70er Jahren beobachtete, nicht mehr besteht. Dieses Ergebnis hält auch alter-nativen Messmethoden und der Berücksichtigung anderer erklärender Variablen stand und könnte eine gute Nachricht für die Politiker sein, die bestrebt sind, die 'Höchstgeschwindigkeit' für das Wirtschaftswachstum anzuheben. Copyright 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd..

Elasticity of Substitution and the Persistence of the Deviation of the Real Exchange Rates

Empirical evidence suggests (i) that the real exchange rates of developing economies show less persistence than do those of more advanced economies, and (ii) that the elasticity of substitution between capital and labor tends to increase from below unity for less developed economies to above one for more advanced economies. This paper shows how the introduction of sectoral adjustment costs in a two-sector model of a small open economy, together with CES production functions, provides a very natural explanation of this empirical regularity. Other aspects of the relationship between the technologies and the speed of convergence of the real exchange rate are also discussed. Copyright � 2006 The Authors; Journal compilation � 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.