Double Transverse Foramina-An Anatomical Basis for Possible Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency Risk and Vertebral Artery Injury.

Cervical vertebrae may exhibit the anomalous presence of a double transverse foramen (DTF) that may impact the anatomy of related structures that traverse the cervical region, such as the vertebral artery (VA). This retrospective anatomical study utilized CT angiography cervical scans to examine the prevalence of DTF, VA, and TF areas. The subjects were separated into two groups: normal TF (NTF group; 26 males and 21 females) and double TF (DTF group; 21 males and 24 females). The males presented significantly higher TF area values (30.31 ± 4.52 mm2) than the females (27.48 ± 1.69 mm2) in the NTF group (p = 0.006). The sex differences disappeared when a DTF was present (p = 0.662). There were no differences in the VA area values between the sexes in both the NTF and DTF groups (p = 0.184). No significant differences in the VA area values between males of the NTF and DTF groups (p = 0.485) were noted. The DTF subjects presented an increased VA/TF area ratio than the NTF subjects (p < 0.001). This study showed that DTF presence reduced the TF area. In contrast, the VA area did not change despite the decreasing TF area. This might be an anatomical risk for transient vertebrobasilar insufficiency in subjects with DTF, especially in females, because VA space in the TF is less in DTF subjects than in NTF subjects. This may lead to easy VA compression in DTF subjects following neck trauma.

Investigation of Morphological and Biomechanical Properties of the Scapula for Shoulder Joint.

Objective: The glenopolar angle is a helpful criterion for recommending operative treatment. This study aims to determine the morphometric features of the scapula and provide essential information that supplies scapular biomechanics to produce a formula. Methods: The study was carried out on 34 dry scapulae in the laboratory of the Anatomy Department of the Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University. We used calipers for the linear measurements and the ImageJ program for the area and angle parameters. A total of 23 parameters were evaluated in the study. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Results: According to the results of the correlation analysis, the highest correlation value of (R=0.957) was found to be the distance between the superior angle (angulus superior)-top of the glenoid plane and the inferior angle (angulus inferior)-the top of the glenoid plane. To estimate the glenopolar angle, we applied linear regression analysis and developed the following formula: Glenopolar angle =115.589 - (6.401 x the distance between the coracoid process and the top of the glenoid cavity) - (0.368 x angle between the glenoid plane and the lateral edge of the scapula extending towards the endpoint of the glenoid plane) (Adjusted R2=0.667). Conclusions: Glenopolar angle can provide information about the fracture risk of the glenoid cavity and allows orthopedic surgeons to make quick decisions about the risk in the region. We believe that the study will provide a different perspective on designing different products in industrial designs for shoulder joints, especially in implantations.

Examination of Facial Convexity and Concavity Values With Reference to the External Acoustic Pore: A Retrospective Study.

The human skull serves as an essential material for facial reconstruction. In particular, the petrous part of the temporal bone is vital due to its compact structure, which can resist mechanical forces. The study aims to give descriptive values to estimate the face shape and produce regression formulas through the external acoustic pore as a reference point. The study was carried out on 3-dimensional computed tomography images, a total of 83 adult images (45 females and 38 males) in the Department of Radiology of Bursa Uludag University Medical Faculty. The distances between the imaginary vertical line passing through the porion and the anthropometric points revealing the facial features were measured for the soft and hard tissue. The vertical distances between the soft and hard tissue landmarks were also measured for both sexes. Measurements were performed with the Image J program, and for the statistical analysis, SPSS 25.0 was used ( P < 0.005). Linear simple regression analysis was used to produce formulas to estimate the soft tissue thickness using hard tissue. Also, discriminant function analysis was performed to determine sex in the presence of an unknown skull. The descriptive values of the variables on the axial and vertical planes and the differences between sexes are given. Also, all formulas make accurate predictions of 90% or more. The authors tried to estimate the anatomical points that roughly reveal the facial features with the regression formulas developed using anthropometric measurements. The authors think that the shape of the face, which is more specific to the individual, can be reached more clearly using mathematical models, and the authors believe that this study will set an example for future studies.

Morphometric Features of External Opening of the Carotid Canal and Relationship With Some Neighboring Formations on the Skull Base.

The carotid canal must be taken into account during the surgical procedures since it contains the petrous segment of internal carotid artery. For this reason, we aimed to reveal the morphometric relationship of the carotid canal with related structures. The study was carried out with 11 parameters determined on a total of 52 sex unknown temporal bones belonging to the collection of Bursa Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, Anatomy Department. Measurements were taken by using mechanical sliding calipers and the findings were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 program. Descriptive statistics of all variables were performed and correlation between the carotid canal and related structures were evaluated with the Spearman correlation analysis. Also, the correlation coefficient values were given. We developed the regression formulas to estimate the location of the carotid canal. There was a relationship between posterior and anterior point of external opening of carotid canal and mastoid process. The distance between the mastoid process-suprameatal spine and mastoid process-posterior root of zygomatic arch is highly correlated with each other.