Morphology of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct in adult human cadaver.

The lacrimal sac (LS) is a dilated structure that lies in the lacrimal fossa, and the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) is the continuation of LS from its neck up to the inferior meatus of the nose. A study of 50 specimens of formalin-fixed adult cadavers of both sexes of Indian origin was conducted. The morphological features like length and breadth of LS and NLD, along with the histology of LS has been observed. The mean length of LS and NLD on the right side was 10.5 mm (1.04) and 16 mm (2.6) respectively, whereas the mean breadth of the above structures, on the right side was 6 mm (0.63) and 5.66 mm (0.81) respectively. The mean length of LS and NLD on the left side was 10.57 mm (1.13) and 16.42 mm (2.29), whereas, the mean breadth of the same structure on the left side was 6.71 mm (0.95) and 5 mm (0.81) respectively. The sides did not show any significant statistical difference but when the correlation between the length and breadth of LS is considered, significance was observed in the lacrimal sac of the left side. No variations were observed in the gross structure of LS and NLD. Microscopic study showed the presence of elastic fibers in LS. The importance of LS and NLD is that the blockage of this lacrimal passage is the most common cause of epiphora (watering of the eye). The presence of elastic fibers in this study confirms the hypothesis that the sac elasticity may perform a dynamic role, in forceful evacuation of lacrimal fluid in reverse direction (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 10). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Biomechanics of Climbing Coconut Trees and its Implications in Ankle Foot Morphology- A Video Sequence analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies regarding foot changes and health of professional coconut tree climbers of south India are reported. Medical emergencies are very common, especially due to accidental fall from coconut trees, while on job. Objective of the present study is to analyze the altered biomechanics of lower limb joints used by the coconut tree climbers. METHOD: Videographs of tree climbing each from a total of 30 male volunteers, all between 30-55 years, engaged in coconut tree climbing profession were collected. RESULTS: The data revealed the coconut tree climbers are using abnormal rages of foot and lower limb joint motions. CONCLUSION: This study establishes an occupationally induced form of altered biomechanics, which leads to professional health hazards.

Anatomical study of the unusual origin of a nerve to the mylohyoid muscle and its clinical relevance.

Anomalous patterns in the human body are usually seen in cadaver dissections and during investigations. We have studied 50 cadavers of southern Indian men and women to find the variable origins of the mylohyoid nerve in the infratemporal region. We discovered an unusual origin of the nerve during a routine educational dissection. Here we describe the course of the aberrant nerve and its distributing branches. Awareness of such anatomical variations could help during surgical or dental interventions.

Oral candidiasis in Chikungunya viral fever: a case report.

A 32 year old Indian male patient presented with chief complaints of a high fever, erythema on ear, severe polyarthritic joint pains & swelling, non pitting pedal oedema, facial puffiness and itching for past four days. He had no significant past medical and drug history and was serologically confirmed to have Chikungunya. Oral cavity inspection revealed whitish non erythematous pseudo membranous plaques on the hard palate, buccal surface of cheek and the floor of the mouth which was later microbiologically confirmed as Candidiasis. He tested negative for HIV and had leucopenia with severe CD4 T-lymphocytopenia. This is the first report of an opportunistic infection with CD4 T-lymphocytopaenia in Chikungunya fever.

The nasal septum: an osteometric study of 16 cadaver specimens.

Studies of the shape, dimensions, and other morphologic characteristics of the nasal septum are scant in the literature. We conducted a study of 16 male cadavers to measure six osseous components of the nasal septum and to calculate the proportional contribution that each made to the total septal bone surface area. We found a wide range of inter-specimen variations in both categories. It is our hope that a better understanding of nasoseptal anatomy will improve surgical technique.

The mendosal suture of the occipital bone: occurrence in Indian population, embryology and clinical significance.

The occipital bone is ontogenetically and functionally unique when compared to the other bones of the skull in humans and other mammalian cousins. The occipital bone develops from six ossification centers; any defect in the ossification process will give rise to mendosal suture (accessory suture) and conditions like posterior plagiocephaly. There is a paucity of literature regarding the mendosal suture and further more, its report in Indian population is not known. The present study was conducted to find out the occurrence of mendosal suture in the Indian dry skulls. Fifteen specimens (3%) were found to have these sutures out of five hundred (500) skulls examined. Nine (3.1%) samples are of male skulls out of two hundred ninety (290) and six (2.85%) samples are that of female skulls out of two hundred ten (210). The mendosal suture ran close to the superior nuchal line in all specimens and traveled medially from the lambdoidal suture. The length of the sutures ranged from 0.8 cm to 2.6 cm (1.88 cm) on the right side and 1.4 cm to 2.9 cm (1.94 cm) on the left side respectively in male skulls; and 0.7 cm to 2.8 cm (1.55 cm) on the right side and 1 cm to 2.4 cm (1.42 cm) on the left side, respectively, in female skulls. The origin of mendosal suture from the lambdoidal suture was 5.7 cm to -6.3 cm (5.98 cm) from the tip of the mastoid process on the right side and 5.6 to -6.3 cm (6 cm) on the left side, respectively, in male skulls; and 5.4 cm to -5.8 cm (5.58 cm) on the right side and 5.4 cm to -5.6 cm on the left side respectively in female skulls. The occurrence and clinical significance of the present study is discussed.

Primary pattern of arteries of upper limb with relevance to their variations / Patrón primario de las arterias de los miembros superiores con relevancia a sus variaciones

A detailed description of the vascular pattern of upper limbs especially their variations in their origin, course and branching pattern is of utmost importance anatomically in general and clinically in particular. These variations have drawn attention of surgeons, physicians, radiologists and interventionists due to the advanced surgical procedures practiced in vascular surgeries, plastic (reconstructive) surgeries and also for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. 50 cadavers (100 upper limbs) were used for the study, which were dissected as the part of routine dissection for teaching undergraduate students at our institution. Length of the normal and variant arteries with mean, standard deviation, 'p' and 't' values are noted in each of the limbs. The following variations are observed: i) high division of brachial artery, ii) higher origin of profunda brachii artery, iii) high origin of radial artery, iv) absence of common interosseous artery. The variations are of particular importance to the surgeons operating in the area, especially for those involved in vascular reconstructive surgeries. So it is prudent to do pre-operative studies of the brachial and antebrachial arteries and their branching patterns, to prevent possible complications post operatively.

Una descripción detallada del patrón vascular de los miembros superiores, especialmente sus variaciones en el origen, curso y patrón de ramificación son de suma importancia anatómica en general y clínica en particular. Estas variaciones han llamado la atención de los cirujanos, médicos, radiólogos e intervencionistas debido a los procedimientos quirúrgicos avanzados practicados en cirugía vascular, cirugía plástica (de reconstrucción) y también para los métodos diagnósticos y terapéuticos. 50 cadáveres (100 miembros superiores) se utilizaron para el estudio, los que fueron disecados como parte de una disección de rutina para la enseñanza de los estudiantes de pregrado en nuestra institución. La longitud de las arterias normales y variantes con su media, desviación estándar, valores "p" y "t" se observaron en cada uno de los miembros. Las siguientes variaciones se observaron: i) división alta de la arteria braquial, ii) origen alto de la arteria braquial profunda, iii) origen alto de la arteria radial, iv) ausencia de la arteria interósea común. Las variaciones son de particular importancia para los cirujanos que operan en la zona, especialmente para quienes participan en cirugías de reconstrucción vascular. Por lo tanto, es prudente hacer estudios pre-operatorios de las arterias braquial y antebraquiales y sus patrones de ramificación, para evitar posibles complicaciones post-operatorias.