Morphometric description of thoracic vertebral pedicles in adult Malawian cadavers and implications for transpedicula spine fixation / Descripción morfometrica de los pedículos vertebrales torácicos en cadáveres de Malawi adultos e implicaciones para la fijación transpedicular de la columna

SUMMARY: Thoracic pedicles are important during the surgical repair of the thoracic spine deformities. Individuals show considerable differences in the asymmetric dimensions of the thoracic pedicles across populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the thoracic pedicle size and angle in adult Malawian cadavers and to suggest the clinical implications associated particularly the transpedicular fixation of spinal deformities. Adult thoracic vertebra from undetermined sex specimens (n=227) from the skeletal collection in the Anatomy Division, Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Malawi were measured to assess the pedicle width, pedicle height, chord length, transverse diameter, interpedicular distance, transverse and sagittal pedicle angles. The mean pedicle width was 4.71 ± 1.83 mm (left side) and 4.82 ± 1.77 mm (right side) and the mean pedicle height was 12.63 ± 2.61 mm (left side) and 12.60 ± 2.54 mm (right side). The mean transverse pedicle angle was 12.22 ± 2.30 degrees (left side) and 12.46 ± 2.34 degrees (right side). The mean sagittal pedicle angle was 9.24 ± 2.67 degrees (left side) and 9.40 ± 2.76 degrees (right side). The mean interpedicular distance was 16.67 ± 2.23 mm. Our sample population generally showed smaller thoracic pedicle dimensions than those reported in other populations. Prior knowledge of the variations regarding the thoracic pedicle dimensions is vital for the determination of the pedicle screw size and design. Most importantly the information helps surgeons during preoperative planning of the transpedicular thoracic spine fixation and radiological interpretation.

RESUMEN: Los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas son importantes durante la reparación quirúrgica de las deformidades de la columna torácica. Los individuos muestran diferencias considerables en las dimensiones asimétricas de las vértebras torácicas entre poblaciones. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el tamaño y el ángulo los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas en cadáveres de Malawi adultos y sugerir las implicaciones clínicas asociadas a la fijación transpedicular de las deformidades espinales. Se midieron 227 vértebras torácicas de muestras de individuos de sexo indeterminado de la colección esquelética en la División de Anatomía, Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Malawi para evaluar el ancho del pedículo, la altura del pedículo, la longitud, el diámetro transversal, distancia interpedicular y ángulos pediculares transversales y sagitales. El ancho medio del pedículo fue de 4,71 ± 1,83 mm (lado izquierdo) y 4,82 ± 1,77 mm (lado derecho) y la altura media del pedículo fue de 12,63 ± 2,61 mm (lado izquierdo) y 12,60 ± 2,54 mm (lado derecho). El ángulo pedicular transverso medio fue de 12,22 ± 2,3 grados (lado izquierdo) y 12,46 ± 2,34 grados (lado derecho). El ángulo pedicular sagital medio fue de 9,24 ± 2,67 grados (lado izquierdo) y 9,40 ± 2,76 grados (lado derecho). La distancia interpedicular media fue de 16,67 ± 2,23 mm. La población de esta muestra mostró dimensiones de los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas generalmente más pequeñas que las informadas en otras poblaciones. El conocimiento previo de las variaciones con respecto a las dimensiones de los pedículos de las vértebras torácicas es vital para la determinación del tamaño y diseño del tornillo pedicular. Lo más importante es que la información ayuda a los cirujanos durante la planificación preoperatoria para la fijación transpedicular de la columna torácica y su interpretación radiológica.

The genitourinary and reproductive systems: Interpretation of Avicenna's (980-1037 AD) treatise in the Canon of Medicine.

Avicenna (also known as Ibn Sina 980-1037 AD) was the most influential Persian physician and scholar in the medieval times (9-12th century AD). Avicenna contributed to various fields of medicine, astronomy and metaphysics during his time. In the field of basic medical sciences, Avicenna systematically described the anatomy and pathology of various organs of the human body and devised surgical interventions towards the treatment of disorders associated with them. Avicenna compiled his famous book the Canon of Medicine which went on to become a reference textbook of medicine in the region and the West. Although neither formal human cadaveric dissection nor surgical training was recorded during his time, the anatomical and surgical information presented in the Canon of Medicine is comparable to modern literature. In the current vignette, we present an analysis of the basic structural anatomy and functional aspects of the genitourinary and reproductive systems and some reproductive concepts presented in the Canon of Medicine textbook and compare their relevance in modern medical literature. We found Avicenna's information on these systems to be congruent to modern anatomy and physiology literature. The only differences are attributed to the differences in the experimental approaches with Avicenna's information being derived in an era with less technological advances especially on the histology of organs. However, Avicenna's information in this treaty can be regarded as pioneering in the fields of urology and gynaecology.

Revisiting Avicenna's (980-1037 AD) anatomy of the abdominal viscera from the Canon of Medicine.

Avicenna (980-1037 A.D) was the most influential Iranian physician and philosopher in the medieval era. Avicenna composed and compiled treaties on various aspects of medicine in his famous book the Canon of Medicine. Avicenna's treaties have inspired countless debates in all fields of medicine including basic medical sciences. In his treaties, Avicenna adopted the practical approach to the descriptions of the human body and the diseases associated. He made substantial contribution to the medical literature and medical education through his observations and clinical studies. In the current treaties we analysed the anatomy extracts on the topographic and functional anatomy on the abdominal viscera including the gastrointestinal tract presented in the Canon of Medicine and compared to them to extant anatomical textbooks, particularly those adopted in modern curriculums. We found that Avicenna described fairly the anatomy and topographic relations of the abdominal viscera and associated digestive organs. Avicenna's anatomy contributed immensely to the evolution of anatomical sciences and related medical disciplines despite being written 1000 years ago.

A critical appraisal of 11th century treatise by Ibn Sina (Avicenna) on the anatomy of the vascular system: Comparison with modern anatomic descriptions.

Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna in the West) was the most famous physician and medical scientist of the medieval era. His book, the Canon of Medicine comprised a vast collection of medical information ranging from basic medical sciences to specialised medical fields. Herein, we present an analysis of the cardiovascular system, particularly giving an in-depth comparison of the structural and functional anatomy of the arteries and veins of the body as described by Avicenna in the Canon of Medicine and comparing them to modern extant anatomical literature.