Morphological Study of Fossa Ovalis in Formalin-Fixed Human Hearts and Its Clinical Importance.

Background and Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the gross anatomy aspects of the fossa ovalis (FO) and the presence of some anatomical variation resulting from the incomplete fusion of septum primum and septum secundum, such as an atrial septal pouch (SP) and left atrial septal ridge. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one adult human hearts removed from formalin-fixed specimens were examined to provide information about the morphology of the FO. The organs were free of any gross anatomically visible pathological conditions. Results: The most common variants were the FO located in the inferior part of the interatrial septum (64.51%), circular (61.3%), with a net-like structure (51.62%), prominent limbus (93.55%), and patent foramen ovale (PFO) (25.8%). The right SP was observed in 9.67% of specimens, the left SP was observed in 29.03% of cases, and in 51.61% of cases, a double SP was observed. One sample presented a right SP and a double left SP, and one case showed a triple left SP, which was not reported previously to our knowledge. Conclusions: Knowledge of the interatrial septal anatomy becomes important for interventional cardiologists and should be documented before transeptal puncture.

Bilateral anatomical variations in the extensor compartment of forearm and hand.

An unusual variation of the extensor muscles was found during the routine dissection of the posterior compartment of the forearm. The left forearm presented an extensor medii proprius muscle, the tendon of which had an unusual trajectory. It passed through the second extensor compartment between the tendons of the extensor carpi radialis longus and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles. The right forearm presented two muscles for the index finger: one, the extensor indicis et medius communis, the tendon of which was split into three tendons, one radial and one ulnar for the index finger and a rudimentary tendon for the middle finger; the second muscle for the index finger had an unusual origin, common with the extensor carpi radialis brevis, and its tendon ran superficially to the tendon of the extensor indicis et medius communis muscle. Knowledge goes tendon variations can be significant not only for clinicians to misdiagnose a debilitating wrist extensor pain syndrome but also for surgeons to avoid iatrogenic injuries in hand surgery.

Unusual anatomical variation: tetrafurcation of the celiac trunk.

The celiac trunk is one of the main sources of vascularization of the supracolic abdominal compartment. It arises from the abdominal aorta, at the level of T12-L1 vertebrae and classically branches into the splenic artery, common hepatic artery, and left gastric artery. We report here an atypical branching pattern of the celiac trunk, found during the dissection of a 60-year-old female's formalin-fixed cadaver. The atypically celiac trunk gave rise to four branches: a common trunk for left and right inferior phrenic arteries, an accessory left gastric artery, the common hepatic artery, and a splenogastric trunk. Knowledge in detail about normal anatomy and variation in the branching pattern of the celiac trunk is important in surgical, oncological, and radiological interventional procedures and must be taken into account to avoid possible complications.

De novo unbalanced translocation t(15;22)(q26.2;q12) with velo-cardio-facial syndrome: A case report and review of the literature.

The present study reports the case of a 3-h old male with a de novo unbalanced t(15;22) translocation and velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), with other abnormalities. The manifestations of the condition observed in the patient included cleft palate with feeding difficulties, respiratory infection, dysmorphic face with almond-shaped eyes, a long and wide nose, small and low-set ears, tetralogy of Fallot, cryptorchidism and varus equinus. Standard lymphocyte cytogenetic analysis using G-banding demonstrated a 45,XY,-22,der (15),t(15;22)(q26.2;q12) karyotype. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with DiGeorge/VCFS TUPLE 1 confirmed 22q11 deletions. These cytogenetic aspects appear to be rare in the etiology of VCFS, as >1% of all 22q11 deletions are the result of an unbalanced translocation, which involves chromosomes 22 and another chromosome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case where the clinical features associated with VCFS are combined with an unbalanced (15;22) translocation involving the critical 22q11.2 region.

An Aberrant Subclavius Posticus Muscle: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: An aberrant subclavius posticus muscle was found during routine dissection of the left infraclavicular fossa of a 60-year-old male cadaver. PRESENTATION: This aberrant muscle arises antero-medially, from the costoclavicular ligament, runs postero-laterally, over the trunks of the brachial plexus, and postero-lateral has a common insertion with the omohyoid muscle. CONCLUSION: The presence of such an aberrant muscle may cause a dynamic compression of the subclavian artery and brachial plexus.