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INTRODUCTION: Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) is the largest vein of the body. It runs vertically upwards in the abdomen, behind the liver. Its course is very constant in relation to liver. However, the amount of liver parenchyma related to it can vary from person to person. The data regarding its course and relations may be very useful to radiologists and surgeons during surgical treatment procedures for Budd-Chiari syndrome, liver carcinoma, liver transplant, venous cannulations and many other clinical procedures. AIM: Aim of this study was to document the incidence of straight and curved course of IVC in relation to liver and also to note the pattern in which the liver tissue was related to the IVC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, 95 adult cadaveric livers were observed; specifically to study the course/direction of the hepatic segment of IVC in relation to the liver. The extent of liver tissue related to various aspects of IVC was also studied. The course of the IVC was classified as straight and curved; and the relationship of liver parenchyma to the IVC was classified into 6 categories. The data was expressed as percentage incidence. RESULTS: In 78.94% cases, the IVC had a straight course in relation to the liver; whereas in 21.06% cases, it had a left sided curve (concavity of the curve towards the caudate lobe) in its course. In 6.31% cases, IVC travelled in a tunnel, being encircled by the liver parenchyma all around; in 36.84% cases, it was covered by liver parenchyma on front and sides so that only posterior surface of IVC was visible; in 3.15% cases it was covered by liver tissue on front, sides and also partly on posterior aspect; in 50.52% of cases, its anterior surface, sides and left edge of the posterior surface was covered by liver tissue; and in 3.15% cases it was covered only from the front by the liver tissue. CONCLUSION: The data being reported here might be useful for surgeons while planning and executing various hepatic surgeries and also to the radiologists in planning and performing venous cannulation and therapeutic procedures. Since in many livers, the curvature of IVC was associated with enlarged caudate lobe, the curved IVC could hint about the increase in the volume of caudate lobe or liver itself.
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Background. Descriptive evaluation of nerve variations plays a pivotal role in the usefulness of clinical or surgical practice, as an anatomical variation often sets a risk of nerve palsy syndrome. Ulnar nerve (UN) is one amongst the major nerves involved in neuropathy. In the present anatomical study, variations related to ulnar nerve have been identified and its potential clinical implications discussed. Materials and Method. We examined 50 upper limb dissected specimens for possible ulnar nerve variations. Careful observation for any aberrant formation and/or communication in relation to UN has been carried out. Results. Four out of 50 limbs (8%) presented with variations related to ulnar nerve. Amongst them, in two cases abnormal communication with neighboring nerve was identified and variation in the formation of UN was noted in remaining two limbs. Conclusion. An unusual relation of UN with its neighboring nerves, thus muscles, and its aberrant formation might jeopardize the normal sensori-motor behavior. Knowledge about anatomical variations of the UN is therefore important for the clinicians in understanding the severity of ulnar nerve neuropathy related complications.