Assessment of the Relation Between Craniofacial Tissue Profile-Morphology and Dermatoglyphics.

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the convexity angle of facial tissue and fingerprint types by analyzing the connection between dermatoglyphic prints and facial structure. A total of 65 adults (24 females, 41 males) participated in the study. Each participant's fingerprint was analyzed using conventional methods of observation upon the index finger of the dominant hand. Fingerprints were classified into 3 fundamental types: arch, whorl, or loop. Craniofacial profiling was performed with measurements of hard tissue (Gl'-A-Pg') and soft tissue facial convexity (Gl-Sn-Pg) and total facial convexity (Gl-Prn-Pg) angles between 3 anthropological points determined on the lateral direct radiographs of the participants. Soft tissue convexity facial angle (Gl-Sn-Pg) values were found to be an average of 166.83° in females and an average of 162.05° in males. (Gl-Prn-Pg) values were found to be an average of 138.54° in females and 135.27° in males. The soft tissue profile of males showed a significantly convex structure compared with females. Also, the "whorl" type of fingerprint was found to be dominant in both sexes. There is no statistically significant difference in terms of soft tissue profile convexity in individuals belonging to the 3 different fingerprint groups. No statistically significant difference in soft tissue profile angular values between right-hand thumb and index fingerprint type groups were found among and between sexes. However, a comprehensive analysis of the relationships between the nose, lips, mouth, ear, and eyes and fingerprints of the same person may prove to be beneficial.

Nonmetric Variants of Anatolian Crania: A Preliminary Study.

Analysis of nonmetric cranial variants has been essential for identifying the human population through osteologic analysis and genetic affinities. This study aimed to examine the nonmetric cranial variants to evaluate differences among sex and side correlations in Anatolian dry skulls. This study was carried out on 50 Anatolian adult dry human skulls (22 males, 28 females) with suitable features (nonfractured and/or with necessary features) out of a total of 97 dry skulls. After sex analysis, each skull was photographed from the norma frontalis, lateralis, inferior, and superior. Eleven nonmetrical cranial variants were investigated. The cranial variants and side incidences were analyzed to determine their sex differences and interside correlations. After the classification, traits were marked as "present" or "absent" on the charts. Some variants in female crania were seen more frequently than in males. Most of the variants such as the supraorbital notch, infraorbital and zygomaticofacial foramen, showed high correlations between the right and left sides. Overall, there were no statistically significant sex or side differences found in the Anatolian crania.

Does cigarette smoke exposure lead to histopathological alterations in the olfactory epithelium? An electron microscopic study on a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the influence of smoke exposure of variable duration on the ultrastructure of and histopathologic and morphologic alterations in the olfactory epithelium. METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups and fed a standard rat chow and tap water. Experimental rats in groups I and II were exposed to cigarette smoke in a glass cabin over a period of 2 months for 5 or 15 min, respectively, four times daily; control rats (group III) were not exposed to cigarette smoke. After dissection, all tissue specimens were processed using routine procedures for TEM. RESULTS: Groups I and II exhibited the presence of intraepithelial inflammatory cells and especially deep invaginations in the nuclear membrane of supporting cells. Extended intercellular spaces, cytoplasmic protrusions on the apical surface of supporting cells, atrophy of microvilli and olfactory neuron cilia as well as numerous electron-dense granular structures and lysosome-like structures were observed to an increasing degree from group I to group II. Particularly in group II, both supporting cells and olfactory neurons exhibited a cytoplasmic edema, mitochondrial degeneration, and numerous vacuolar structures, as well as apoptotic and minimal necrotic changes. In this group, hyperplasia of basal cells was also observed. CONCLUSION: Our electron microscopic findings show that cigarette smoke leads to toxic degenerative changes in the rat olfactory mucosa.

A Dissectional Study of the Level of Anterior Commissure of the Larynx.

PURPOSE: Precise knowledge of the level of the vocal fold as projected on the external thyroid cartilage is of critical importance for the performance of many surgical approaches. This study aims to identify the level of the anterior commissure, as well as the lengths of the vocal muscle and arytenoid cartilage in Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Specimens were collected after autopsy from the Council of Forensic Medicine. One hundred human larynges (52 men, 48 women; age range: 25-80 years) were dissected under a stereomicroscope. Projection of the vocal fold was analyzed in relation to the superior thyroid (A) and the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage (B). Then, the larynx was dissected parallel to the level of the vocal fold to measure the length of the vocal muscle (C) and the length of the interarytenoid space (D). RESULTS: The mean value of the "a" was 9.15 ± 1.99 mm in male and 9.38 ± 3.43 mm in female. Mean value of the "b" was 10.54 ± 1.73 mm and 8.88 ± 1.81 mm in male and female, respectively. The mean value of the parameter corresponding the length of vocal muscle which was "c" was found 15.00 ± 3.18 mm in male and 12.88 ± 4.12 mm in female. The mean value of the interarytenoid space "d" was 8.31 ± 1.76 mm in male and 8.13 ± 1.90 mm in female. Comparing between genders, no statistical differences were observed in parameters of a, c, d, a + b, a + b/2 (P > .05). However, the difference with female and male for the parameters of b and c + d was statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the anterior commissure projects slightly above the midline height for male and at the level to slightly below in female subjects in Turkish population.

Introducing Children to Anatomy: "Getting to Know Our Bodies: The First Step Toward Becoming a Scientist".

Museums are used in every discipline to collect, classify, and present information for scientific purposes. They also serve as an effective educational medium. Since the establishment of a boutique anatomy museum at Bahçesehir University, lectures, conferences, and seminars have been organized there over the past four years on the history of human anatomy and the human body. In order to raise awareness about the need to make anatomy accessible to kindergarteners and school-aged children, rather than exclusively to undergraduate students, activities that are suited to a wide range of ages have been developed at the museum and at the anatomy laboratory. Four different sessions were conducted, including activities such as lectures using plastic models as props, shaping organs out of playdough, anatomy puzzles, watching cartoons, and examining specimens through a microscope. Healthy and pathologic anatomies were chosen to match daily themes. Among the kindergarteners and elementary school children, no grading was done, nor was any questionnaire administered; however, a survey was administered in the 10-12 age group (N = 64). According to the students' written feedback, 93.75% said they "are happy with microscope activities" while 84.37% said they "had so much fun" participating in the playdough activities. However, 18.75% criticized the activities, saying they "could have been longer." In conclusion, it is believed that these "getting to know our bodies" activities that were hosted in the anatomy museum, including conferences, workshops, material preparation, and instructional movies, may play an important role in the development of a healthy society.

Relationship between palm flexion lines and craniofacial profile structure in adults.

OBJECTIVES: The analysis and evaluation of the craniofacial profile structure and dermatoglyphic structures are a research subject particularly significant for the scientific areas of anatomy, anthropology, genetics, and criminology. Relevant studies show that both the craniofacial structure and dermatoglyphic structures carry genetic features and show their details. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between palm flexion line types in individuals and craniofacial morphologic structure. The link between these 2 significant genetic characteristics has been studied. METHODS: This research was done the Department of Anatomy in Eskisehir Osmangazi University in 2002. During the study, the whole essential and ethics conditions have been done.This study has been carried out on 170 individuals: 87 women and 83 men. Photographic analysis was used to take facial profiles and palm lines of the individuals in the research sample. Muzj and Ricketts soft-tissue analyses were used to identify the craniofacial type. Diversification of palm flexion line types were classified for the individuals whose craniofacial types were identified. RESULTS: No relationship was observed between the profile structures classified as linear and angular according to Muzj method and flexion line types in the right and left hands. Also, there was no relationship observed between the labium superior and labium inferior values of the individuals, the distance of which to E line was calculated according to the Ricketts method and the flexion line types in the right and left hands. CONCLUSIONS: No precise relationship was found in the same individuals between the craniofacial morphologic structure and palm flexion line types.

An incidence study on thyroglossal duct cysts in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of the asymptomatic thyroglossal duct anomalies and to review the literature and make comments on the significance of this condition. METHODS: A total of 80 cadavers were dissected in the present study. This study was carried out during 2005, where the cadavers were randomly included from the criminal laboratories of the Ministry of Justice, Republic of Turkey in Istanbul. None of the cadavers had laryngeal and cervical injuries resulting from a trauma or the cause of their death. The examined cadavers included 59 men and 21 females, and their age were ranged from 35-80 years old. The larynges were removed and fixed in 10% formalin and then dissected. The sections were examined using surgical SMZ 10 Nikon stereomicroscope. We evaluated the presence, localization, and diameter of the cysts with regard to age and sex of the cadavers. RESULTS: We observed a total of 12 different localization of thyroglossal ducts and cysts among the dissected 80 cadavers. Ten of these ducts cysts were found in males with an age range of 35-68 years and 2 in female cadavers aged 46-65 years. In 6 cases, the thyroglossal ducts and cysts were located in the left of the midline of the neck, while 3 cases were from the right of the midline, and the remaining was located on the midline of the neck. In all cases, thyroglossal ducts and cysts were complete and restricted to the infrahyoid region; all of them had connection with the hyoid bone, but not with the perichondrium of the cartilage. In addition, the thyroglossal ducts had connection with the left lobe of the thyroid glands in 3 cases, one case in the right lobe, and 2 cases with the isthmus of the thyroid gland. Finally, in 5 cases thyroglossal ducts were complete and had well-developed cysts. CONCLUSION: Thyroglossal duct remnants are one of the most often seen congenital asymptomatic masses of the neck region (7%). The presence of these duct remnants may lead to abnormal phonation and epithelial carcinomas. Therefore, correlation of the rate of thyroglossal duct remnants in a population together with the related clinical symptoms can lead to an early diagnosis and better treatment chances for these problems.

The effects of prenatal stress on the Purkinje cell neurogenesis.

In the developing cerebellum, generation times of macroneurons and microneurons occur during pre- and postnatal period, respectively. In this study, to investigate the effects of prenatal stress exposure on cerebellar neuronal development, the granule-to-Purkinje cell ratio of stressed animals was compared with their age-matched controls. In the experimental group, pregnant dams were immobilized on their gestational day 7 and 14, for 6 h. The cerebella of the offspring were removed at postnatal day (P) 30, and granule-to-Purkinje cell ratios, obtained by dividing the numerical density of granule cells (NVg) by that of Purkinje cells (NVP), were found significantly reduced (24%) in the stressed animals. Since volume fraction of granular to molecular layer or white matter to whole cortex was not affected from stress exposure, the deficit seen in this ratio reflects an existent increase in the numerical density of Purkinje cells, rather than a decrease in the number of granule cells. In parallel, the linear density of Purkinje cells (NBP) and the percentage of proliferating cells, immunolabeled with BrdU, were also found significantly higher in stressed animals. Taken together, our results demonstrate that intrauterine stress changes the morphology and numerical density of cerebellar neurons by primarily affecting the actively dividing cells during the selected stress period.

Clinical implication of vascular and dimensional aspects of the cricothyroid space in the Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: Cricothyroid space (CS) is one of the thinnest part in the framework of the larynx. The close relations of CS to the intralaryngeal subglottic area increase its anatomical importance. The aim of this study was to establish topographic distribution and the number of perforating vessels lying towards the intralaryngeal subglottic region and finding the calibrations of these vessels, thus revealing an index for the Turkish population. METHODS: In this study, 5 women and 45 men autopsy materials that had no pathology or previous surgery in the area were examined during the period February to November 2003. All specimens in this study were selected randomly from the criminal lab of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Justice, Istanbul, Turkey. Microdissections were made by SMZ 10 Stereomicroscope. Superficial vascular structures of the membrane cricothyroidea at CS and their crossing places (foramens) to the intralaryngeal area, their numbers and localizations in relation to the midline (right/left and cranial/caudal) and their diameters were established. RESULTS: In the larynx dissections, which were made in 50 cases, a total of 180 vessels were seen. Seventy-eight vessels were situated on the middle line (cranial and caudal). Fifty-three vessels were at right side (cranial and caudal) and 49 vessels were at left side (cranial and caudal). In 20 specimens 2-4 vessels arrangement were passing through the foramen to the intralaryngeal subglottic area. Among these foramens, 20 of them consisted of 2 vessels (16 cranial, 4 caudal), 4 of 3 vessels (3 cranial, 1 caudal) and only one foramen was consist of 4 vessels (cranial). CONCLUSION: The cricothyroid area is an anatomical compartment enclosed by a connective tissue membrane and connected to the adjacent laryngeal region by vessels. This region is important with regard to surgical procedures, spread of laryngeal cancer and traumatic lesions of the larynx. Therefore, the clinical and surgical importance of vascular anatomy and the dimension of the cricothyroid space should be given emphasis in our population.

A new device for measuring mastication force (Gnathodynamometer).

This work presents a new device, developed and constructed for the determination of the masticatory forces. Our new apparatus worked well in measuring maximal bite force and masticatory efficiency of incisor and molar teeth, respectively. The obtained results related to intraoral forces were very similar to the values previously given in the literature.

The role of Austrian physicians and Prof. Joseph Hyrtl (1810-1894) on modernization of Ottoman-Turkish medicine.

Medical schools have a long history in Ottoman-Turkish medical education. At Ottoman medical schools (medreses), education has been given to students regularly. But because of social dogma and oppression of religion on the science of human anatomy they could not get a chance to improve for centuries. Traditionally, Ottoman-Turkish medical education was shaped under the influence of Galenos (129-200) and Avicenna (980-1037). These influences continued until the beginning of the 19th century. In this period, Avicenna's most famous medical book "Kanun-i fit-tip" was a main anatomy textbook in medical education of the eleventh century. Modernization of educational systems in the Ottoman Empire started during the reign of Sultan Selim the 3rd (1789-1807) and modern anatomy in Ottoman-Turkish Medicine has flourished following the Austrian physicians. Today's Department of Anatomy at Istanbul Medical School of the Istanbul University is a continuation of Galatasaray Medical School which was the first medical school achieving the western educational level.

SEM examination of the dorsal lingual papillae of pregnant rats.

To our knowledge there are no histomorphological studies examining the lingual papillae in pregnancy. Therefore, this present study was planned. The purpose of this study was to clarify different physiological results and to investigate whether there are any changes on the dorsal surface of the rat tongue during pregnancy. On days 7 and 14 of pregnancy, superficial epithelial configurations of the lingual papillae (circumvallate, fungiform, filiform) in pregnant rats were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that there were some differences in topographic configurations of these papillae in pregnant rats compared with controls. The obtained changes by SEM may reflect something which occurs in the lingual papillae during pregnancy in rat. There may be a correlation between the alterations of some hormone levels in pregnancy and some morphological changes of the lingual papillae.

Morphometric measurements of MRI findings in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common degenerative neurological disorders among elderly people, and is associated with progressive cerebral atrophy. AD is characterized by deterioration of the memory, difficulties with language, alterations in behavior and dysfunction in daily activities. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to measure the total volumes of different parts of the brain of AD patients and healthy gender-matched controls using Cavalieri's volume estimate method, and to establish some brain ratios. Moreover, the authors wanted to test this method in measuring the volumes of various parts of the brain from MRI scans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, the MRI scans of 15 right-handed individuals with probable AD and 10 healthy controls were assessed. Cavalieri's volume estimate method was applied to the brain MRI scans to calculate the volumes of various parts of the brain. RESULTS: While the measurements showed a marked increase in the volume of cerebral ventricles and sulci in AD patients in comparison to the gender-matched controls, the volumes of cortical gray matter and cerebral hemispheric brain matter were reduced considerably. However, no significant differences were detected in the volume of the cerebellum + brainstem or intracranium in AD patients. There were also no major variations between male and female values of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, cerebral hemisphere and cortical gray matter atrophies were the most remarkable findings among AD patients in the present study; consequently, expansions of both the ventricles and subarachnoid space were formed. Cavalieri's volume estimate method was very efficient in calculating the volumes of different parts of brain from the MRI scans of both groups.

Variable morphology of the hyoid bone in Anatolian population: clinical implications:: a cadaveric study / Morfología variable del hueso hioides en una población de Anatolia: consecuencias clínicas: un estudio cadavérico

The variations of the hyoid bone has a great significance for surgical procedures of neck region, and in forensic medicine for evidence of strangulation or hanging, which causes fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and morphometrical variations of the hyoid bone in Anatolian population. A total of 60 adult larynx specimens (46 male, 14 female) were dissected to identify morphological and morphometrical variations of hyoid. The infrahyoid muscles and thyrohyoid membrane were cut and ligamentous structures of bone were removed. The variations of shape of the hyoid were classified into six types: A (U-shaped) hyoid bone observed in 31.7 % (19 bones), a horseshoe-H-type in 10 % (6 bones), a B-type hyoid in 31.7 % (19 bones), a D-type hyoid in % 15 (9 bones), a V-type bone in % 5 (3 bones) and HK-type bone in 6.7 % (4 bones) of all necks. The breadth, width and major transverse axis were approximately measured as 40.4 mm, 28.4 mm and 33.5 mm, repectively. It has been found that the hyoid bones of Anatolian population had morphologically important differences than in other populations.To understand the anatomical variations and measurements of this bone is of valuable importance with regard to clinical practice and forensic medicine.

Las variaciones del hueso hioides tiene un gran significado para los procedimientos quirúrgicos de la región del cuello, y en la medicina forense para la evidencia de estrangulación o ahorcamiento que causan fracturas. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las variaciones morfológicas y morfométricas del hueso hioides en una población de Anatolia. Un total de 60 muestras de laringe adultas (46 hombres, 14 mujeres) fueron disecadas para identificar las variaciones morfológicas y morfométricas del hueso hioides. Se seccionaron los músculos infrahioideos y la membrana tirohioidea, y fueron removidas las estructuras ligamentosas de los huesos. La forma del hioides se clasificó en seis tipos: a (forma de U) del hueso hioides observó en el 31,7 % (19 huesos), forma de herradura hioides in 10 % (6 huesos), hioides de tipo B en el 31,7 % (19 huesos), tipo D hioides en 15 % (9 huesos), un hueso de tipo V en % 5 (3 huesos) y de tipo HK hueso en un 6,7 % (4 huesos) de todos los cuellos. Se midió la amplitud, ancho y el eje transversal mayor de 40,4 mm, 28,4 mm y 33,5 mm. Determinamos que los huesos hioides de la población Anatolia tenían importantes diferencias morfológicas en comparacion a otras poblaciones. El conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas y las mediciones de este hueso es importante con respecto a la práctica clínica y la medicina forense.