The deglutition and conditions affecting it

Deglutition is a very complicated neuromuscular function starting from the very first moment the man is born, providing to the organism necessary nutrients for growing and maintaining in life. It takes place in three stages (Anatomical aspects) commencing with a voluntary one and followed by other two involuntary successive reflexes coordinated from the deglutition centre in the medulla near the vegal nucleus and the respiratory centre. However, this fine function may be affected by various conditions (Clinical aspects) analysed in the text

The Effect of Low Molecular Weight Heparins on Fracture Healing.

Venous Thromboembolism is a serious complication in the trauma patient. The most commonly studied and used anticoagulant treatment in prophylaxis of thrombosis is heparin. The prolonged use of unfractionated heparin has been connected with increased incidence of osteoporotic fractures. Low molecular-weight-heparins (LMWHs) have been the golden rule in antithrombotic therapy during the previous two decades as a way to overcome the major drawbacks of unfractioned heparin. However there are few studies reporting the effects of LMWHs on bone repair after fractures. This review presents the studies about the effects of LMWHs on bone biology (bone cells and bone metabolism) and underlying the mechanisms by which LMWHs may impair fracture healing process. The authors' research based on literature concluded that there are no facts and statistics for the role of LMWHs on fracture healing process in humans and the main body of evidence of their role comes from in vitro and animal studies. Further large clinical studies designed to compare different types of LMWHs, in different dosages and in different patient or animal models are needed for exploring the effects of LMWHs on fracture healing process

Sex differences in hip joint bones in Greeks and possible consequences

The objective of the present research was to study the differences of the hip joint bones in Greek males and females and the probable implications of them in their health and social life. For this purpose the remains of 100 male and 100 female pelvic and femoral bones were studied. The distance from the pubic tubercle to rhe anterior rim of the acetabulum, the acetabulum diameter between its rims, their ratio, the depth of the acetabulum, the diameter of the femoral head and the ratio between the femoral head and the diameter of the acetabulum were measured.It was found that in males, in comparison to the females, the distance from the pubic tubercle to the anterior rim of the acetabulum was smaller while the acetabulum diameter and its depth, the diameter of the femoral head and the ratio between head and the acetabulum diameter were larger.According to the results it can be suggested that these differences might exhibit an influence in the woman’s life. They could be responsible for their different way of walking and for having an increased occurrence of congenital hip dislocation and hip osteoarthriti

Angiographic evaluation of renal artery variation amongst Greeks

Most Anatomical textbooks describe the kidney’s blood supply by a single artery. However, the existence of additional renal arteries is quite common; about one in four people possess more than one renal artery. Since the incidence of additional renal arteries, can vary according to the ethnic origin of the individual. The objective of the present study was to define the incidence and the distribution of additional renal arteries in a Greek population and comment on the possible complications they might cause to the individual during surgical interventions, especially in cases of renal transplantation. Angiographies (n=215) were performed prior to renal donation for ransplantation. Cases with single kidney or kidney failure were excluded. Digital subtraction angiography and 3D reconstruction from computer tomography were used for the images. Additional renal arteries were found in 27.4% of Greeks, more in males (28.9%) than in females (22.4%). Compared to other population groups there are a number of differences in sides and percentages within the Greek population. Surgeons performing renal transplantations should be well aware of the layout of the arteries supplying the kidneys as well as their variation in different ethnic groups