Cardiac Corpuscles: A "New" Morphofunctional Entity? / Corpúsculos Cardíacos: ¿Una "Nueva" Entidad Morfofuncional?

SUMMARY: The existence of "transitional muscular structures" between subendocardial branches (Purkinje fibers) and ventricular working muscle fibers (WF) was first described by the German anatomist, Kurt Goerttler, in 1964. He designated them as "subendocardial nucleus organs." He supposed such fibers functioned as mechanoreceptors, controlling of the intensity of contraction of the ventricular musculature. Brazilian anatomist Ferraz de Carvalho described similar structures in 1993. A thorough literature search failed to identify any other research articles confirming or denying their existence. The objective of this work was to find such structures in subendocardial ventricular walls in human hearts. We collected fifteen formalin-preserved hearts from the Anatomy Department of São Paulo University and sectioned the apical portions on the right and left ventricles according to method used by Goerttler. We utilized conventional histology (light microscopy- LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a new preservation method called micro- plastination (MP). At the anterior wall of the right ventricle in the subendocardial region between the interventricular septum and moderator band, we found several bundles of fusiform and helicoidal fibers of similar histology to the WF. The bundles measured between 400 and 1150 µm in length and were separated from adjacent muscular fibers by thin collagen fiber, thus acting as a "pseudo capsule." Some structures seemed to be linked to PF and were appeared to be lymphatic and blood vessels and nerves. We called those structures "cardiac corpuscles" (CC). The observation of the previously "unknown" CC in this initial study confirmed the previous descriptions and its discovery may contribute to new perspectives in the study of cardiac muscle structure and function.

La existencia de "estructuras musculares de transición" entre los ramos subendocárdicos (fibras de Purkinje) y las fibras musculares ventriculares activas(FMV) fue descrita por primera vez por el anatomista alemán Kurt Goerttler en 1964, quien las denominó "órganos del núcleo subendocárdico". Supuso que tales fibras funcionaban como mecanoreceptores, controlando la intensidad de la contracción de la musculatura ventricular. El anatomista brasileño Ferraz de Carvalho describió estructuras similares en 1993. Una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva no logró identificar ningún otro artículo de investigación que confirmara o negara su existencia. El objetivo de este trabajo fue encontrar dichas estructuras en las paredes ventriculares subendocárdicas de corazones humanos. Recolectamos 15 corazones conservados en formalina del Departamento de Anatomía de la Universidad de São Paulo y seccionamos las porciones apicales de los ventrículos derecho e izquierdo según el método utilizado por Goerttler. Utilizamos histología convencional (microscopía de luz-LM), microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM) y un nuevo método de conservación llamado microplastinación (MP). En la pared anterior del ventrículo derecho en la región subendocárdica entre el tabique interventricular y la banda moderadora, encontramos varios haces de fibras fusiformes y helicoidales de histología similar a la FMV. Los haces medían entre 400 y 1150 µm de longitud y estaban separados de las fibras musculares adyacentes por una fina fibra de colágeno, actuando así como una "pseudocápsula". Algunas estructuras parecían estar vinculadas a la fibras de purkinje y parecían ser vasos linfáticos, sanguíneos y nerviosos. Llamamos a esas estructuras "corpúsculos cardíacos" (CC). La observación del CC previamente "desconocido" en este estudio inicial confirmó las descripciones anteriores y su descubrimiento puede contribuir a nuevas perspectivas en el estudio de la estructura y función del músculo cardíaco.

Prototyping and 3D printing of computed tomography images with an emphasis on soft tissues, especially muscles, for teaching human anatomy / Prototipado e impresión 3D de imágenes de tomografía computarizada con énfasis en los tejidos blandos, especialmente músculos, para la enseñanza de la anatomía humana

SUMMARY: The study on cadavers, although considered fundamental in the teaching of human anatomy, is limited in several universities, mainly due to the acquisition and manipulation of cadaveric material. Throughout history, several artificial anatomical models have been used to complement the real anatomical pieces. The present study offers a new alternative: the making of three-dimensional models from Computed Tomography (3D-CT) patient image acquisition. CT images from the USP University Hospital database were used. Patients underwent examinations for reasons other than the present study and were anonymized to maintain confidentiality. The CT slices obtained in thin cross-sections (approximately 1.0 mm thick) were converted into three-dimensional images by a technique named Volume Rendering for visualization of soft tissue and bone. The reconstructions were then converted to an STL (Standard Triangle Language) model and printed through two printers (LONGER LK4 Pro® and Sethi S3®), using PLA and ABS filaments. The 3D impressions of the thigh and leg muscles obtained better visual quality, being able to readily identify the local musculature. The images of the face, heart, and head bones, although easily identifiable, although seemed to present lower quality aesthetic results. This pilot study may be one of the first to perform 3D impressions of images from CT to visualize the musculature in Brazil and may become an additional tool for teaching.

El estudio en cadáveres, a pesar de considerarse un aspecto fundamental en la enseñanza de la anatomía humana, se encuentra limitado en varias universidades, principalmente por la adquisición y manipulación de material cadavérico. A lo largo de la historia se han utilizado varios modelos anatómicos artificiales para complementar las piezas anatómicas reales. El presente estudio ofrece una nueva alternativa: la elaboración de modelos tridimensionales a partir de la adquisición de imágenes de pacientes por Tomografía Computarizada (3D-CT). Se utilizaron imágenes de TC de la base de datos del Hospital Universitario de la USP. Los pacientes se sometieron a exámenes por razones distintas al presente estudio y fueron anonimizados para mantener la confidencialidad. Los cortes de TC obtenidos en secciones transversales delgadas (aproximadamente 1,0 mm de grosor) se convirtieron en imágenes tridimensionales mediante una técnica denominada Volume Rendering para la visualización de tejido blando y hueso. Luego, las reconstrucciones se convirtieron a un modelo STL (Standard Triangle Language) y se imprimieron a través de dos impresoras (LONGER LK4 Pro® y Sethi S3®), utilizando filamentos PLA y ABS. Se obtuvo una mejor calidad visual de las impresiones 3D de los músculos del muslo y la pierna, pudiendo identificar fácilmente la musculatura local. Las imágenes de la cara, el corazón y los huesos de la cabeza, aunque fácilmente identificables, parecían presentar resultados estéticos de menor calidad. Este estudio piloto puede ser uno de los primeros en realizar impresiones 3D de imágenes de TC para visualizar la musculatura y podría ser en una herramienta adicional para la enseñanza.

Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna and a Question on Its Pathology: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Hyperostosis frontalis interna is a boney overgrowth of the inner side of the frontal bone of the skull caused by overgrowth of the endocranial surface. It is most often found in women after menopause. It is also associated with hormonal imbalance, being overweight, history of headaches, and neurocognitive degenerative conditions. Female gender, advanced age, extended estrogen stimulation, and elevated leptin levels may also play a role. The thickening is usually confined to the frontal bone, but it can spread as far as the anterior parietal and temporal bones. CASE REPORT During a medical school dissection course, an extensive boney overgrowth in the frontal regions covering the inside of the frontal bone of the skull of a 90-year-old female donor, who died of a cerebrovascular infarction, was identified. This boney overgrowth was mainly confined within the frontal region, but there was some boney overgrowth that extended to the temporal bones. The overgrowth in the endocranium of the temporal bone was not as severe as the overgrowth of the frontal bone. The morphology of the overgrowth was rigid, uneven, and bumpy. Based upon the physical characteristics, we concluded that this presentation was consistent with hyperostosis frontalis interna. CONCLUSIONS Our female donor was found to exhibit a phenomenon which could be clinically underdiagnosed due to its internal nature and asymptomatic presentation. Insight into the potential causes of HFI and its identification during clinical evaluation offers a path for future research to better identify and manage cases of HFI.