Superficial brachioulnar artery in man.

The individual arterial pattern of the upper limb is considerably variable (11-24%) and relevant for intraarterial interventions performed by cardiologists, plastic and vascular surgeons, radiologists, anaesthesiologists, transplant specialists, orthopaedists and neurosurgeons. Arterial variants in the upper limb result from modifications in the maintenance and regression of the initial capillary plexus, which forms dominant arterial channels and gradually expands into the growing upper limb bud between stages 12 and 21. In this case report we present the superficial brachioulnar artery with its external diameter of 3 mm and length of 525 mm, and of relevant course in the left upper limb of a 78-year-old male Caucasian formalin-fixed cadaver. The superficial brachioulnar artery unusually started with the superior part of axillary artery, presented the following five parts: axillary, brachial, cubital, antebrachial and palmar, and was finally continuous with the superficial palmar arch. The typical ulnar artery was somewhat hypoplastic and limited to the forearm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the professional literature to describe the start of the superficial brachioulnar artery with the superior part of axillary artery. We conclude the individual arterial pattern of the upper limb to be indispensably recognised preoperatively, so as to circumvent any unwanted injuries to the superficial brachioulnar artery that is considerably large, overlies the antebrachial fascia and supplies the superficial palmar arch.

Digital-image analysis of the left common carotid artery in human foetuses.

The rate of growth of the left common carotid artery during gestation has not been sufficiently evaluated. The present study was performed on 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks to compile normative data for the dimensions of the left common carotid artery at varying gestational ages. Using anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (system of Leica Q Win Pro 16) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis), a range of measurements (length, original external diameter and volume) for the left common carotid artery during gestation was examined. No significant gender differences were found (p > 0.05). The growth curves of the best fit for the plot of each morphometric parameter against gestational age were generated. The lengths ranged from 14.82 +/- 2.22 to 42.84 +/- 4.32 mm, according to the linear model y = -9.6918 + 1.5963 x +/- 3.1706 (r = 0.95; p < 0.001). The original external diameter increased from 0.72 +/- 0.18 to 3.28 +/- 0.40 mm, according to the linear function y = -1.5228 + 0.1428 x +/- 0.2749 (r = 0.95; p < 0.001). The left common carotid artery-to-aortic root diameter ratio increased from 0.356 +/- 0.062 to 0.480 +/- 0.101. The left common carotid artery-to-aortic arch diameter ratio increased from 0.447 +/- 0.079 to 0.535 +/- +/- 0.113. The volume ranged from 6.73 +/- 4.06 to 369.30 +/- 107.42 mm3 in accordance with the quadratic function y = 344.8 - 41.001 x + 1.254 x2 +/- +/- 46.955 (R2 = 0.87). The parameters examined have clinical application in the early recognition of arterial abnormalities, especially aortic coarctation.

Quantitative morphology of the left subclavian artery in human fetuses.

PURPOSE: The present study was performed to compile normative data for dimensions of the left subclavian artery at varying gestational age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (Leica Q Win Pro 16 system) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression analysis) a range of measurements (length, original external diameter, volume) for the left subclavian artery in 128 spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 15-34 weeks was examined. RESULTS: No significant gender differences were found (P>0.05). The length ranged from 4.62 +/- 0.49 to 12.28 +/- 1.25 mm, according to the linear function y = -2.1482 + 0.4302 x +/- 0.9972 (r = 0.93 P<0.001). The original external diameter increased from 0.68 +/- 0.16 to 2.89 +/- 0.29 mm, according to the linear model y = -1.2169 + 0.1233 x +/- 0.2389 (r = 0.95 P<0.001). The left subclavian artery-to-aortic root diameter ratio increased from 0.337 +/- 0.064 to 0.423 +/- 0.103. Distance between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries increased from 0.57 +/- 0.17 to 3.92 +/- 0.91 mm. Aortic arch diameter to distance between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries decreased with advanced fetal age, from 2.82 +/- 0.51 to 1.56 +/- 0.27. The volume ranged from 1.77 +/- 0.89 to 80.60 +/-; 22.18 mm3, in accordance with the quadratic function y = 76.0 - 8.956 x + 0.031 x2 +/- 10.945 (R2 = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The developmental dynamic of the length and diameter of the left subclavian artery follows a linear regression, whereas its volumetric dynamic follows a quadratic regression. The ratio of the aortic arch diameter to the distance between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries has clinical application in the early recognition of aortic coarctation.

The variability and morphometry of the brachiocephalic trunk in human foetuses.

In prenatal and pediatric cardiovascular surgery knowledge of the various arrangements of the aortic arch and its branches as well as the normative data are essential. The variability and morphometric features of the brachiocephalic trunk in 131 human foetuses (65 male, 66 female) ranging from 15 to 34 weeks of gestation were studied by means of anatomical, digital and statistical methods. In all the foetuses examined the left aortic arches were found to have three different arrangements. In 74.05% of cases the usual pattern of the aortic arch with its three main branches were observed. A common origin of the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery occurred in 20.61% of individuals. In 5.34% of cases the left vertebral artery was an additional vessel and arose from the aortic arch between the left common carotid and subclavian arteries. No significant gender differences were found with respect to the brachiocephalic trunk (p > or = 0.05). The developmental increase in length (r1 = 0.78) and diameter (r2 = 0.83) correlated with a linear function but the increase in volume in relation to age corresponded to a quadratic function (r3 = 0.73). Our results show the largest increases in the brachiocephalic trunk according to the following parameters: the length - between the 4(th) and 5(th), and 7(th) and 8(th) months, diameter - between the 8(th) and 9(th) months and volume - between the 4(th) and 5(th), and 7(th) and 9(th) months of gestation (p < or = 0.01). The present study constructs a normal range for the morphometric features of the foetal brachiocephalic trunk.

Skeletopy of the brachiocephalic trunk and the common carotid arteries in human fetuses.

By means of anatomical and radiological methods and with help of the Computer Digital Image Analysis System the brachiocephalic trunk and the common carotid arteries in relation to the vertebral column were studied in 60 human fetuses. The vessels were found to be between the upper borders: of the third thoracic vertebra and the first cervical vertebra (Th3s-C1s). In the 6th month of the ontogenetic development the vessels descended by one vertebra and established their location in the next prenatal compartment (8-9) between the lower borders: of these same vertebra (Th3i-C1i). We have counted the skeletopie age correlation coefficients of these vessels and found the diminuation of their values. Sexual skeletopic dimorphism have not been observed. These investigations have clinical implications.

Skeletotopy of the gall bladder in American mink (Mustela vision (Brisson, 1756)).

Using anatomical and radiological methods, the projection of the gall bladder was studied in relation to the vertebral column in fifty adult minks of both sexes. The gall bladder was found to be in three positions when in relation to: 1) the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column, 2) the numerical order of the vertebrae.