Intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal anastomoses of spleen arteries.

The importance of supporting the spleen with blood is enormous especially from the surgical point of view. The main vessel of spleen is the splenic artery. In this study we would like to extend current knowledge of anastomoses between the splenic artery and surrounding arteries. Seven donor bodies of both sexes were used for detailed dissection. We were concerned with both the intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal anastomoses. In another 100 donor bodies, the relationship between the spleen and the anterior surface of the posterior body wall was studied. The superficial anastomoses were found mainly in the peritoneal duplications. They were the short gastric arteries; the epiploic branches of the left gastroepiploic artery; branches of the middle and left colic arteries and arteries from the region of the pancreatic tail. Deep anastomoses were found between the spleen and the parietal branches of the aorta, i.e. the superior and inferior phrenic arteries and the arteries of the anterior surface of the posterior body wall: the posterior intercostal artery and lumbar arteries. Authors also expect small anastomoses in 40-50% of spleens that lie directly on the anterior surface of the posterior body wall. Our findings correspond with the clinical observations that after ligation of the splenic artery necroses in the spleen do not occur.

A report on anomalies of digastric muscle.

The anterior belly of the digastric muscle varies greatly in shape and size. In this report, two cases of anomalies in the digastric muscle found in necropsy material belonging to the Institute of Anatomy are described. In the first case, we found a bilateral anomaly--a lateral widening of the muscle belly as an adaptation; this was shown by separation of the anterior muscle belly of digastric muscle into a medical and lateral head. The latter of which passing through the intermediate tendon and fixing partially on the hyoid bone. In the second case, a bilateral asymmetrical anomaly of the anterior belly was described. This involved the separation of the anterior belly into medial and lateral parts and the occurrence of accessory bundles; these bundles run from the left part of the mandible to the intermediate tendon of the right side of digastric muscle and to the hyoid bone.

The size of the splenic hilus, diameter of the splenic artery and its branches in the human spleen.

Sixty spleens were observed according to the size of the splenic hilus depending on the size of the human spleen. The diameter and area of the lumina of the arterial branches were measured in 30 casts of the vascular bed of the spleen. Results were statistically evaluated, tabelated and graphed.

A contribution to the types of branching and anastomoses of the splenic artery in human spleen.

The authors observed in 60 human spleens the course of the splenic artery in the splenic hilus and branching of segmental branches in the spleen. Specimens of blood vessels and casts showed two extreme types of segmental branches entering the splenic parenchyma: 1. Vertical type and 2. subcapsular type. The authors also studied the occurrence of anastomoses between the individual branches of the splenic artery and recognized three types of them: 1. hilar--extraparenchymatous, 2. intraparenchymatous and 3. subcapsular.

A contribution to the anomalies of heterochtonic back muscles.

Some authors described a muscular adult man with a quite large bilateral muscle originating from the front margin of the transverse process of the C1-C2 vertebrae and inserting to the back margin of the clavicle next to the conoid tubercle. They named it levator claviculae.

A contribution to the anomalous penetration of the sciatic nerve through the greater sciatic foramen.

Here we describe an interesting course of the sciatic nerve. A part of the common peroneal nerve perforated the piriformis and the fibers from the ventral branch of the S3, which were leaving the infrapiriformal foramen joined to it.

A contribution to the anomalies of the arm flexors.

The authors described a unique occurrence of the third head of the biceps brachii, pointing out the possibility of attachment of its muscle bundles after partial rupture. This situation could occur, especially when this anomaly was found only unilaterally.

A contribution to the vascular anatomy of the human spleen.

Our study was done on 45 spleens obtained from the autopsy rooms of the department of pathology and anatomy and forensic medicine institute. We studied the morphology, the presence of accessory lobes of the spleen and branching of the splenic artery. Intraparenchymal ramification of splenic artery and the localization of avascular zones were studied on corroded organs. We performed artificial ruptures on two spleens and we studied their relation to the internal structure of the organ.

Lesions of the knee joint menisci in miners.

A group of 206 miners with lesions of the knee joint was studied. Of these the most often seen were lesions of the menisci. Most of the operations were performed between 26 and 35 years of age. The average exposure equalled approximately 14 years. Congenital predisposition failed to be proved. The ratio of the medial meniscal lesions to the lateral meniscal lesions was 11:2. Attention was paid to the types of lesion and the incidence of associated lesions of the knee joint. The most often seen were the circumferential and the bucket handle types of lesion and the posterior aspect lesions. Associated lesions of the knee joint were disclosed in 77 operated miners. We are of the opinion that circumferential lesion and the bow-like rupture of the meniscus, the most often encountered types of lesion, are due to excessive load on the meniscus, the action of the force transferred on the knee joint at work on uneven terrain. Of importance is also the blood supply and the inner structure of the meniscus. The quadriceps muscle atrophy was most often found as falling within a range of from 1.1 to 2 cm difference between the healthy and the damaged limb as measured 15 cm above the patella. The relatively more frequent incidence of the associated lesion of the knee joint and quadriceps muscle atrophy in cases with lesions of the lateral meniscus is explained by late diagnosis of the lesion of the lateral meniscus. With respect to the more frequent incidence of lesions of the lateral meniscus in miners (11:2) as against common population (10:1), this fact should be taken into account.

Relationship between the development of lymphatic and glandular tissue in the larynx.

A total of 144 human larynxes, both from the prenatal period and from subjects aged from birth to 95 years, were used for the study of the relationship between the development of glandular tissue and the localization of future laryngeal tonsils. The results of our study are represented graphically. It has been found out that at the sites of future tonsils glands make earlier appearance than at the sites of other glandular groups in the larynx. This interrelationship of lymphatic and glandular tissue has not only morphological but also clinical and immunological importance.