Arterial supply of human and bovine testes: a topographic and morphometric comparison study

The aim of the study was to compare the arteries supplying human and bovine masculine gonads. The study was made on two extremely different types of location of the mediastinum testis. The study was made on 100 (50 human and 50 bovine) corrosive casts of the testicular, cremasteric, and deference duct arteries. The differences between the species included different courses of the testicular artery inside the spermatic duct, the relative size of the three arterial diameters, and the morphology of the anastomoses of the arteries. In human testicular arteries, the course inside the spermatic course was more variable than in that of bulls. The artery was straighter and in 80% of the cases did not form the loops which were present in 100% of the bovine specimens. The bovine testicular artery was significantly wider in relation to the cremasteric and deferens duct arteries than the human one. This finding suggests that collateral blood flow to the testis was less effective in bulls than in men. The human testicular artery directly connected the other two with its terminal branches. The bovine testicular artery connected with the cremasteric and deferens duct arteries indirectly by means of its deferens duct branch. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 225-231

Persistent jugulocephalic vein: case report including commentaries on distribution of valves, blood flow direction and embryology

This paper is a detailed case study of the persistent anastomotic channel between the cephalic vein and the external jugular vein, running anterior to the clavicle, corresponding to the jugulocephalic vein present at early stages of the ontogenesis in humans. This connection is not only a relic of early foetal development seldom occurring in adults, but it may also be of clinical significance, increasing the risk of complications during the cephalic vein catheterisation, clavicular fractures or head and neck surgery. The novelty in this paper was to determine the presence and distribution of valves within the persistent jugulocephalic vein. Three bicuspid venous valves were found that allowed the blood to flow only in one direction — from the cephalic vein to the external jugular vein. The anastomosis between the persistent jugulocephalic vein and the thoracoacromial veins was additionally present. Due to lack of similar data in the literature, further research should be performed on the presence and distribution of the venous valves in various types of the persistent jugulocephalic vein in humans

An unusual insertion of an accessory band of the semitendinosus tendon: case report and review of the literature

The Pes Anserinus is characterised by high morphological variability. It consists of three tendons: the sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus. The semitendinosus and gracilis tendons are routinely harvested for reconstruction anterior cruciate ligament, and the presence of accessory bands within them can handicap the harvesting process. This report presents a case of a rare insertion of accessory band of the semitendinosus tendon (to the fascia of the soleus muscle and tibia). The current classification should be extended to accommodate such “rare cases” to facilitate more successful hamstring grafts

The bifid anterior coracoscapular ligament: a new morphological variation and its potential clinical implications

The suprascapular notch (SSN) is the typical site of compression and injury of the suprascapular nerve (SN), which results in a neuropathy known as suprascapular nerve entrapment. The SSN is enclosed from the top by the superior traverse scapular ligament (STSL), creating a tunnel for the SN. On the both sides of the suprascapular notch, below the STSL, the anterior coracoscapular ligament (ACSL) is found. This fibrous band can potentially narrow the opening and contribute to the occurrence of suprascapular entrapment syndrome. This study presents a first case of a bifid anterior coracoscapular ligament coexisting with atypical suprascapular nerve course that has never been described in the literature. Knowledge of such anatomical variations can be helpful in arthroscopic and open procedures of the suprascapular region and confirms the safety of operative decompression for entrapment of the suprascapular nerve

Anatomical study on branching pattern and variations of orbital segment of the oculomotor nerve

Background: This study aims to revisit the anatomy of orbital segment of the third cranial nerve (CN III). The study also involved morphometric measurements of CN III muscular branches. Detailed description of observed anatomical variations and their incidence was also included. The study supplements earlier findings with detailed observations of the neuromuscular relations. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 52 orbits taken from 26 cadaveric heads (10 males and 16 females; Central European population). Results: Anatomical variations of the orbital segment of the CN III observed on the examined material involved both the superior and inferior branch of this nerve. The muscular branch innervating the levator palpebrae superioris muscle occasionally pierces the superior rectus muscle. The nerve to the inferior oblique muscle may pierce and innervate the inferior rectus muscle. In rare instances, duplication of the parasympathetic root of the ciliary ganglion may also occur. Among the muscular branches, the smallest diameter reached the branch to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. Among the three muscular branches derived from the inferior branch of the CN III, the nerve to the inferior oblique was the longest one. Its length varied from 28.9 mm to 37.4 mm. The shortest was the muscular branch to the inferior rectus muscle. Its length varied from 0 mm (when muscular sub-branches arose directly from the nerve to the inferior oblique muscle) to 7.58 mm. Conclusions: This study presented the characteristic of orbital segment of the CN III, including anatomical variations and morphometric measurements relevant to intraorbital procedures

Comparison of the blood vessel complexes of the human and bovine male gonads

The aim of the study was to compare the blood vessel network of the human and bovine male gonads, paying special attention to differences resulting from mediastinum testis localisation. Two groups of specimens were compared. Each group consisted of 50 corrosive die casts of the testicular and spermatic cord vessels of bovine and human gonads respectively. In each group 20 gonads had only the arterial vessels injected, another 20 only the veins, while in 10 gonads both arteries and veins were injected. The die casts were examined with a stereoscopic binocular as well as an optic microscope. The different testicular vascular patterns in humans and bulls were observed. In humans the intratesticular arteries branch off the arterial network of the tunica albuginea and mediastinum testis. The former runs centripetally, the latter centrifugally. Analogically, the intratesticular veins emptying into the tunica albuginea venous network run centrifugally and those emptying into the mediastinum testis plexus run centripetally. In bulls the arterial vessels run centripetally, later forming a helical, screw-like layer to give off centrifugal branches. Venous vessels run centrifugally and empty into the venous plexus of the tunica albuginea

Correlation between morphometry of the suprascapular notch and anthropometric measurements of the scapula

The concept of the study was to find the correlation between the morphometry of the suprascapular notch and basic anthropometric measurements of the human scapula. The measurements of the human scapulae included: morphological length and width, maximal width and length projection of scapular spine, length of acromion, and maximal length of the coracoid process. The glenoid cavity was measured in two perpendicular directions to evaluate its width and length. The width-length scapular and glenoid cavity indexes were calculated for every bone. In addition to standard anthropometric measurements two other measurements were defined and evaluated for every suprascapular notch: maximal depth (MD) and superior transverse diameter (STD). The superior transverse suprascapular ligament was completely ossified in 7% of cases. Ten (11.6%) scapulae had a discrete notch. In the studied material, in 21 (24.4%) scapulae the MD was longer than the STD. Two (2.3%) scapulae had equal maximal depth and superior transverse diameter. In 47 (57.7%) scapulae the superior transverse diameter was longer than the maximal depth. There was no statistically significant difference between anthropometric measurements in the group with higher MD and the group with higher STD. The maximal depth of the suprascapular notch negatively correlated with the scapular width-length index. The maximal depth of the scapular notch correlated with the morphological length of the scapulae. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 2: 109–115

The trifid superior transverse scapular ligament – case report and review of the literature

During dissection of a 75-year-old Caucasian female cadaver, a trifid superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) was found. The suprascapular nerve and vessels ran inferior to the STSL though the suprascapular notch. Measurements of the structures of the suprascapular region were taken using two complementary but independent methods: a classical method using an electronic digimatic caliper and a new one based on an analysis of digital photographic documentation of the STSL. The knowledge of anatomic variations of the superior transverse scapular ligament is important because this structures is the most commonly recognized possible predisposing factors of suprascapular nerve entrapment and can be helpful in diagnosis, surgical and arthroscopic treatment of this pathology

The plantaris muscle — rare relations to the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa

The plantaris muscle is characterised by morphological variability, both for origin and insertion, and may sometimes be absent. Its strength allows the ligament to be used for reconstruction of other tendons and ligaments. This report presents the rare placements and course of the plantaris muscle in relation to the neurovascular bundle. In this case, the hypertrophy of this muscle might cause pressure on the tibial nerve and produce symptoms similar to sciatica

Intermediate veins in swine (Sus scrofa domestica) kidney: authors’ own anatomical classification

Background: The use of domestic swine as an experimental animal is increasing steadily. Swine organs are the best animal model for urological experiments. The aim of the study was to evaluate the course and size of intermediate veins in a swine kidney. The research results were compared with the results obtained from studies on venous vascularisation of human kidneys. The knowledge of the above-mentioned vessels is important both in human and veterinary medicine and will enable researchers to compare and notice differences between human and swine organs. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 94 kidneys, 47 right ones and 47 left ones, taken from adult domestic swines (Sus scrofa domestica). The kidneys were prepared and corrosion casts were made. Results: The average lumen diameter of secondary intermediate veins was 7.96 mm. The average diameter of the primary intermediate veins directly inserted in the renal vein (type A) and primary intermediate veins inserted in the secondary intermediate veins (type B) amounted to 6.7 mm and 4.75 mm, respectively. The average length of primary intermediate veins of type A was 21.91 mm. Secondary intermediate veins were shorter — on average 19.83 mm. Primary intermediate veins of type B were on average 12.91 mm long. Conclusions: Intermediate veins are formed in the area of vascular anastomoses on the level of renal papillae. The following veins can be distinguished: primary intermediate veins of type A and type B, as well as secondary intermediate veins. Secondary intermediate veins and primary intermediate veins of type A run only on the ventral side of the renal pelvis. Only the primary intermediate veins of type B can run on the dorsal side. From the anatomy point of view, intermediate veins of swine kidneys are very similar to equivalent vessels in human kidneys as regards their run and anastomoses.