The treatment of portal hypertension by videolaparoscopy in situs inversus totalis.

A rare case of a 32-year-old male with situs inversus totalis viscerum admitted to hospital for hematemesis owing to portal hypertension of Laennec cirrhosis was treated for the first time by videolaparoscopic surgery. Situs inversus diagnosis was confirmed by thoracic radiography, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, abdominal echography and computed tomography. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed esophageal varices and large varices in the fundus of the stomach. A successful operation (azygo-portal disconnection, splenic artery ligation without splenectomy; transesophageal suturing of esophageal varices without opening the esophagus and cholecystectomy), was performed by videolaparoscopy. The uneventful postoperative evolution (4-day hospitalization) reinforces the viability of the videolaparoscopic approach and the possibility of the application of this procedure even to situs inversus totalis organorum.

The "human"-like morphology of the swine papilla ilealis.

The morphology of the ileocecocolic transition, between the small and large intestine was studied in 33 male, adult pigs of unknown breed. The results were analyzed by the Wilcoxon Test (alpha < or = 0.05). The ileum opened into the large intestine, in all of the cases, at the level of the cecocolic junction in the form of a conical papilla (ileal papilla) turned towards the large intestine, with an oblique caudal and lateral direction, pointing to the cecal lumen. The cranial contour is higher than the caudal one, with average values of 3.0 cm, and 1.5 cm in the fresh specimens and 2.8 cm and 1.4 cm after fixation of the specimens. The average diameter of the papilla apex was 1.5 cm, both in the fresh specimens and in the fixed ones. In 100% of the cases the ileal papilla appeared with a star-shaped orifice in its apex in both the fresh and in the fixed specimens. Our studies showed that the transition between the small and large intestine of the swine is ileocecocolic, thus similar to humans and different from the ileocecal (Perissodactyla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha) and, according to most descriptions, ileocolic (dog) transitions found in other animals.

Arrangement of the tunica muscularis in the ileal papilla of swine.

The arrangement of the bundles of muscular fibers in the ileal papilla was studied in 32 adult male crossbred swine by dissection of the muscular bundles in this region, after immersion in 50% nitric acid, and by observation under the stereomicroscope of material preserved in a 10% formaldehyde solution. In the ileal papilla, the cranial (ileocolic) contour of the tunica muscularis was formed by the circular strata of the ascending colon and the ileum, and the caudal (ileocecal) contour by the circular strata of the cecum and the ileum. The longitudinal stratum was located between the circular strata with predominance of muscular bundles originating in the terminal ileum. The tunica muscularis showed an increased thickness at the base of the eminence and at the free border, not reaching the apex. In the ileal papilla, the circular and longitudinal components characterize a "pylorus", the ileocecocolic or ileal pylorus as a transit regulation device for the flow of contents between the small and large intestine of swine.

Arrangement of the tunica muscularis of the ileum, cecum and colon at the transition between the small and the large intestines of swine.

The arrangement of the bundles of muscular fibers in the transition between the small and the large intestines was studied in 12 male adult crossbred swine by dissection, after immersion in 50% nitric acid solution. The connection between the small and the large intestines was formed by the association of the muscular tissue, the connective tissue and the fat tissue. The tunica muscularis of these organs was organized in thin thread-like bundles and wide ribbon-like bundles of variable width and thickness. The superficial bundles of the longitudinal stratum of the tunica muscularis of the ileum established the continuity with the large intestine; the deep bundles penetrated into the ileal papilla. The limit between the cecum and the ascending colon was externally marked by the sulcus cecocolicus dorsalis and ventralis. The connection between the cecum and the ascending colon was formed by bundles of muscular fibers coming from the ileum, and the taeniae ventralis, lateralis and medialis of the cecum. Some bundles of muscular fibers from the ascending colon and the cecum headed toward the sulcus cecocolicus. The median bundles of muscular fibers of the taenia ventralis of the cecum, near the termination of the ileum, were arranged to form a loop around the termination of the ileum, mixing with the musculature of the ascending colon at the level of this junction.

Morphology and innervation of the diaphragma of Myrmecophaga tridactyla.

The diaphragma of 4 "Myrmecophaga tridactyla" was described. The diaphragma follows the general pattern of EDENTATA, but it has special features which make it possible to differentiate it from that of "Bradypus tridactylus.

[Brazil 500 years. A Jesuit anatomical nomenclature at the time of discovery]. / Brasil 500 anos. Nomenclatura anatômica de um jesuíta no tempo do descobrimento.

The purpose of rendering easier for priests to hear confessions from Brazilian indians, in the beginning of the colonization of Brazil by the Portuguese, and in order to serve indians for better communication led Pero de Castilho, a jesuit born in Vila do Esp¿rito Santo, to prepare a list of names of parts of the human body. Such a list of tupi (language of the native indians) and portuguese terms of anatomical structures, in alphabetical order, seems to be the first Nomina Anatomica published in Brazil. Such a bilingual vocabulary constitutes a subsidy for the study of both languages spoken soon after the discovery of Brazil and represents a religious related document that contributes to the history of anatomy and medicine.

Three-dimensional distribution of the collagen fibers in the submucosa of the swine terminal ileum.

Collagen has an important role in controlling mechanical function and physiopathology of intestinal wall. Swine small intestine may be used as biomaterial source for tissue repairing. Changes of collagen arrangement and three-dimensional (3D) distribution may be related to the dissimilar biomechanical proprieties showed by different intestine tracts. 3D spatial distribution of collagen bundles of swine submucosal terminal ileum (SSTI) was studied by a correlated analysis of light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of NaOH macerated samples. Bundles of collagen fibers were greatly represented in the submucosa at the mesenteric border and also extended along the longitudinal folds beneath mucosa layer. Polarized LM of picrosirius stained samples evidenced yellow and red fibers (type I collagen), and green fibers (type III collagen). Silver-impregnated sections showed predominant brown-stained fibers and, in a smaller amount, black-stained ones. By SEM submucosal collagen, isolated by NaOH maceration, appeared arranged in wide bundles forming a complicated 3-D network. The bundles presented a sinuous course, opened and closed repeatedly forming meshes fashioned in a regular net. These observations originally demonstrated that 3-D distribution of SSTI collagen is different from that observed in other gut segments and species. The arrangement of SSTI collagen fibers that we observed seems to be morphofunctionally adjusted to provide appropriate resistance to mechanical forces and to assure compliance to deformations induced by intestinal wall motion. The studies for selection of optimal intestinal patches for surgical replacement should take into consideration the basic morphological evaluation of parietal collagen 3D distribution.

Histochemical determination of carbohydrates in the prostate of male and female Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis.

The ventral lobes of the prostate in the female and male Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis were studied using light microscopic techniques for the demonstration and localization of carbohydrates. A weakly PAS-positive material appeared in the secretory product and secretory granules in epithelial cells of both female and male ventral lobes. This reaction is unaffected by diastase and is completely blocked by acetylation. Alcian blue, toluidine blue and methylene blue stains demonstrate metachromatic changes only after sulphation. All reactions indicate the presence of neutral mucosubstances in the secretory product and secretory granules of epithelial cells of the ventral lobes in either sex.

Surgical anatomy of the variations of the arrangement of the tendons of the muscles of the pes anserinus in male adults.

The descriptions of the morphology of the human pes anserinus (the combined insertions of the tendons expansions of medial muscles of the thigh) vary on the arrangement of the muscles and tendons that originate the so-called "goose's foot". Although descriptions found in the literature include up to 7 muscles, most of the authors indicated this anatomical structure as formed only by the insertions of the gracilis, sartorius and semitendinosus muscles. Our aim is to find out in Brazilian male adult cadavers the most frequent disposition of the tendons for application in the orthopedic practice. So far, 60 inferior members of 30 cadavers from the laboratories of the Anatomy Departments of the Medical Schools of the Universities of Mogi das Cruzes and Santos were studied. The dissection was performed in cadavers fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. The specimens were then drawn and photographed. In all 30 cadavers only 3 muscles participated in the formation of the pes anserinus but several variations were found in the disposition of the tendons. Applications of the anatomical knowledge of this tendinous arrangement were discussed.

Papillary muscles and tendinous cords of the right ventricle of the human heart: morphological characteristics.

A series of 79 normal human hearts was studied focusing on the morphological characteristics of the papillary muscles of the right ventricle and their tendinous cords (chordae tendineae). The number, incidence, length and shape of the anterior, septal and posterior papillary muscles were observed. The tendinous cords attached to each papillary muscle were counted at their origin. The papillary muscles and the tendinous cords were measured in situ and after the removal of the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve). The anterior and posterior papillary muscles (apm, ppm) were present in 100% of the cases. The septal papillary muscle (spm) was absent in 21.5% of the hearts. The apm presented 1 head in 81% and 2 heads in 19%; it was 19.16 mm in length. The spm was one-headed in 41.7% and presented two heads in 16.5%; the presence of a 3 and 4 heads appeared in 12.7% and 7.6% respectively; the spm was 5.59 mm in length. The ppm had 1 head in 25.4%, 2 heads in 46.8%, 3 heads in 21.5% and 4 heads in 6.3% of the cases; it was 11.53 mm in length. Tendinous cords (TC) varied as follows: from 1 to 11 TC originated in the apm (mean 4.74); from 1 to 8 TC originated in the ppm (mean 2.67) and from 1 to 5 TC originated in the spm (mean 1.77).

Morphological and histochemical studies on the parotid gland of Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis.

The parotid gland of Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis follows the same anatomical pattern of Rodentia since no peculiar morphological and histochemical features were found in the present study that differentiate it from homologous glands in other rodents. It consists of serous secreting components and intralobular ducts that demonstrate no sexual dimorphism. Histochemical studies reveal that the glandular cells of the Praomys' parotid gland contain no acid mucosubstance, but that material of a neutral glycoprotein nature can be found in the secreting cells of acini, epithelium of the ducts, and the ductal lumina.

Brasil 500 anos: nomenclatura anatômica de um jesuíta no tempo do descobrimento / Brazil 500 years: a jesuit anatomical nomenclature soon after the discovery

Com o fito de facilitar aos padres as confissões de indígenas brasileiros, no início da colonização do Brasil pelos Portugueses e para auxiliar os índios em sua comunicação, PERO de CASTILHO, um jesuíta nascido em Vila do Espírito Santo, foi levado a preparar uma lista de nomes de partes do corpo humano. Essa lista, de termos Tupis (na língua nativa dos índios) e portugueses, das estruturas anatômicas, em ordem alfabética, parece ser a primeira Nomina Anatomica publicada no Brasil. Tal vocabulário bilingüe constitui um subsídio para o estudo de ambas as línguas faladas logo após o descobrimento do Brasil, e representa um documento de caráter religioso que contribui para a história da anatomia e da medicina.

A segmentaçäo arterial do baço da capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris) / The arterial segments in capybara spleen (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris)

Os autores estudaram, através do método da dissecaçäo, a ramificaçäo da artéria esplênica no baço de 28 capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris), jovens e adultas, machos e fêmeas. O número de segmentos arteriais da capivara varia de 5 a 16, mais freqüentemente 10. O número de lobos no baço varia de 3 a 7. Existe uma correlaçäo entre lobos e segmentos. Um baço acessório aparece em 21,4 por cento dos casos