• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.448-455
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• 2023

The azygos vein can be formed as a single root, two roots, and three roots, namely lateral, intermediate and the medial roots respectively. The hemiazygos vein and the accessory hemiazygos vein are the tributaries of azygos vein rather than its left side equivalents. Its variations, especially in young persons without any relevant risk factors, may result in thromboembolic illness. This study aimed to describe the morphological and morphometric variations of azygos system of veins. The present study was conducted on thirty formalin fixed adult human cadavers by dissecting azygos vein from formation to termination and variations were noted. The azygos vein was formed by a single root in 56.7%, by two roots: the lateral root and intermediate root in 36.7% cases and by the lateral root and medial root in 6.6%. The vertebral level of termination of azygos vein was seen at the level of T4 vertebrae in 70% cases, at the level of T3 vertebrae in 20% of cases and at the level of T5 vertebrae in 10% cases. The course of azygos vein was varying in 13.3%. These morphological variations can be useful while performing mediastinal surgery, mediastinoscopy, surgery of the deformations of the vertebral column, neurovascular surgeries of the retroperitoneal organs, disc herniation and fracture of thoracic vertebrae.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.463-468
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• 2023

The carotid sinus nerve (CSN) is well known as mediating baroreflexes. However, studies of its detailed histological analysis are scant in the literature. Therefore, the current anatomical study sought to better elucidate the microanatomy of the CSN. Ten fresh frozen adult cadavers underwent dissection of the CSN. Then, it was harvested and submitted for histological and immunohistochemical staining. Specimens were all shown to be nerve fibers on histology and immunohistochemistry. We identified tyrosine hydroxylase positive fibers in all CSN specimens. These fibers were always found to be within the CSN and not on its surface i.e., epineurium. Based on our findings, the majority of fibers contained in the CSN are tyrosine positive in nature. Further studies are necessary to understand the true function of this autonomic nerve fibers.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2023

One of the suprahyoid muscles is the digastric muscle which comprises anterior and posterior bellies joined by an intermediate tendon. Because of its close relationship with the submandibular gland, lymph nodes, and chief vessels of the neck, detailed knowledge about the morphometry of the digastric muscle is essential. The objective of the current cross-sectional evaluative study is to record morphometry along with the digastric muscle's origin, insertion, and variability. Forty human cadavers (25 males and 15 females) were dissected, and the head and neck regions were studied in detail. The attachment of the digastric muscle anterior belly to the digastric fossa of the mandible was noted, and the distal attachment of the posterior belly to the mastoid notch was traced. The length of the anterior belly from the digastric fossa to its intermediate tendon and the length of the posterior belly from the intermediate tendon to its mastoid attachment were measured. There is a fair correlation between the length of the neck and the length of the anterior and posterior belly. The study also identified two cases of bilateral accessory bellies of the anterior belly of the digastric. Normal morphometric data is provided by this study on details of the digastric muscle. It is significant from a clinical and surgical point of view as the muscle lies in proximity to the important structures of the neck.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.194-203
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• 2024

The anatomical variations of coracobrachialis muscle (CBM) are of great clinical importance. This study aimed to elucidate the morphological variations, innervation patterns and musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) relation to CBM. Upper limbs of fifty cadavers (30 males and 20 females) were examined for proximal and distal attachments, innervation pattern of CBM and its relation to MCN. Four morphological types of CBM were identified according to number of its heads. The commonest type was the two-headed (63.0%) followed by the single belly (22.0%), three-headed (12.0%) and lastly four-headed (3.0%) type. Moreover, an abnormal insertion of CBM was observed in four left limbs (4.0%); one inserting into the medial humeral epicondyle, the second into the upper third of humeral shaft, the third one in the common tendon of biceps, and the fourth one showing a bifurcated insertion. Also, four different innervation patterns of CBM were identified including MCN (80.0%), lateral cord (14.0%), lateral root of median nerve (4.0%), and median nerve itself (2.0%). The course of MCN was superficial to the single belly CBM (19.0%) and in-between the heads in the other types (71.0%). Measurements of the length and original distance of CBM muscular branches originating from MCN revealed no sex or side significant difference. Awareness of the anatomic variations, innervation patterns, and MCN relation of CBM is imperative in recent diagnostic and surgical procedures to obtain definite diagnosis, effective management and good outcome.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.346-352
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• 2024

Studies reveal variations in the in the origin, number, and branching patterns of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA). The present study aimed to document such variations and their potential clinical applicability. Thirty-two femoral triangles of 16 embalmed adult human cadavers were dissected to investigate the variation in the origin, number, and branching patterns of LCFA. The main branches of the LCFA were tracked independently for numerical variations in branching pattern. The distance between the origin of LCFA and mid inguinal point (MIP) was also measured in each case. LCFA was most commonly arising from profunda femoris (PF), followed by femoral artery (FA) and common trunk of the femoral artery (CFA). Duplication LCFA was observed in 15 (46.87%) limbs, in 5 (31.25%) cases duplication was only on right side, in 4 (25%) cases duplication was only on left side and in 3 (18.75%), duplication was bilateral. Cases with duplication of LCFA, showed numerical variations with descending pattern being the most common. The average distance of LCFA1 and LCFA2 from mid-inguinal point was 5.77±1.35 cm and 6.14±2.05 cm respectively. Detailed information regarding the occurrence of duplication will be great importance for surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other medical professionals performing procedures in the femoral region. Knowledge of variation of branching pattern of LCFA is utmost important as surgeons use the descending branch of the LCFA in bypass grafting and vascular reconstruction surgeries.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.562-568
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• 2007

Purpose: Many studies reported anatomy of posterior tibial artery perforator. But, it is not easy to use this flap in clinical case. Methods: Authors performed cadaver dissection on 26 legs from 13 cadavers and identified the number, location, type, length and diameter of perforator. Based on anatomic study, posterior tibial artery perforator flap was performed on 3 clinical cases. Results: The perforator was found on a line drawn from the medial boarder of central patella to posterior boarder of medial malleolus. The main perforator which was longer and greater caliber than others was found was found 13 to 17cm distant from medial boarder of central patella in 23 of 26 leg(88.5%). Average length was 6.2cm and average diameter was 1.4mm. The main perforator was musculocutaneous perforator at 20 of 26 leg(77%). The posterior tibial artery perforator flap was clinically use in 3 cases. All flap were survived without any complication. Conclusion: The author found the main perforator of posterior tibial artery perforator flap was located 15cm distant from medial boarder of central patella within the circle drawn with a radius of 4cm. The posterior tibial artery perforator flap is expected to be used as one of the option for the reconstruction of hand and foot.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.253-261
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• 2012

Objective : This study was performed to determine the anatomical landmarks and optimal dissection points of the facial nerve (FN) and the hypoglossal nerve (HGN) in the submandibular region to provide guidance for hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HFNA). Methods : Twenty-nine specimens were obtained from 15 formalin-fixed adult cadavers. Distances were measured based on the mastoid process tip (MPT), common carotid artery bifurcation (CCAB), and the digastric muscle posterior belly (DMPB). Results : The shortest distance from the MPT to the stylomastoid foramen was $14.1{\pm}2.9$ mm. The distance from the MPT to the FN origin was $8.6{\pm}2.8$ mm anteriorly and $5.9{\pm}2.8$ mm superiorly. The distance from the CCAB to the crossing point of the HGN and the internal carotid artery was $18.5{\pm}6.7$ mm, and that to the crossing point of the HGN and the external carotid artery was $15.1{\pm}5.7$ mm. The distance from the CCAB to the HGN bifurcation was $26.6{\pm}7.5$ mm. The distance from the digastric groove to the HGN, which was found under the DMPB, was about $35.8{\pm}5.7$ mm. The distance from the digastric groove to the HGN, which was found under the DMPB, corresponded to about 65.5% of the whole length of the DMPB. Conclusion : This study provides useful information regarding the morphometric anatomy of the submandibular region, and the presented morphological data on the nerves and surrounding structures will aid in understanding the anatomical structures more accurately to prevent complications of HFNA.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.33-40
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to define more precisely the anatomy of the thumb flexor pulley system and to determine the relative contribution of each of the pulleys to the biomechanics of thumb motion at the metacarpophalangeal (MP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints. For this, 22 hands from 11 cadavers were used and randomly assigned to two groups. In the first group, the first annular (A1) pulley was cut first followed by the variable annular (Av) pulley and then the oblique pulley. In the second group, the oblique pulley was cut first followed by the, pulley and then the Av pulley. In 7 of 22 hands, it was a transverse structure parallel to the, pulley with a gap between the A1 and Av pulleys, referred to here as type I. In 9 hands, the A1 and Av pulleys were connected without any gap (type II). In 6 hands, the space between the A1 and Av pulleys were triangular in shape with fibers of the Av pulley converging toward the radial side (type III). In biomechanical study of both first and second experiments, there was no significant difference in MCP joint flexion between the all intact, A1 section, A1/Av section, A2 intact (A1/Av/oblique section), and no pulley configuration (p>.05). In occurring displacements less than 10 mm, there was no significant difference in IP joint flexion (p>.05). However, there was a significant decrease in IP joint flexion occurred in both 15 mm and 20 mm excursion (p<.05), when the oblique pulley was resected additionally after cutting the A1 and Av pulleys in first experiment, and when the A1 pulley was resected additionally after cutting the oblique pulley. According to the results, the injury of only the oblique pulley does not decrease thumb motion significantly. The oblique pulley injury with both the A1 and Av pulleys laceration decreased thumb motion significantly. The additional laceration of the A2 pulley does not decrease thumb motion.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2014

Background Various shapes and designs of the gluteal artery perforator flap have been used for treating sacral pressure sores and reconstructing breasts. To establish the ideal fasciocutaneous flap design for use in the gluteal area, the soft tissue thickness distribution was measured. Methods Twenty-one buttocks of adult Korean cadavers were analyzed through rectangular subfascial dissection. Each buttock was divided horizontally into 10 sections and vertically into 10 sections, and then, the thickness at the corners of the sections was measured. For the sake of comparison and statistical verification with living bodies, computed tomography (CT) images of 120 buttocks of patients were randomly selected. Five horizontal sections and 4 vertical sections were made, and the thickness at each corner was recorded. Results According to the dissection and the CT images, the area with the thinnest soft tissues in the buttock was around the posterior superior iliac spine, close to the sacral area. The thickest area was the superolateral area of the buttock, which was 3.24 times and 2.15 times thicker than the thinnest area in the studies on cadaver anatomy and the CT images, respectively. Conclusions The thickness of the soft tissues in the buttocks differed by area. The superolateral area had the thickest soft tissues, and the superomedial area had the thinnest. This study includes information on the distribution of the thickness of the gluteal soft tissues of Koreans. The outcome of this study may contribute to the design of effective local flaps for pressure sore reconstruction and free flaps for breast reconstruction.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2012

Objectives: The maintenance of the healthy periodontal ligament cells of the root surface of donor tooth and intimate surface contact between the donor tooth and the recipient bone are the key factors for successful tooth transplantation. In order to achieve these purposes, a duplicated donor tooth model can be utilized to reduce the extra-oral time using the computer-aided rapid prototyping (CARP) technique. Materials and Methods: Briefly, a three-dimensional digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) image with the real dimensions of the donor tooth was obtained from a computed tomography (CT), and a life-sized resin tooth model was fabricated. Dimensional errors between real tooth, 3D CT image model and CARP model were calculated. And extra-oral time was recorded during the autotransplantation of the teeth. Results: The average extra-oral time was 7 min 25 sec with the range of immediate to 25 min in cases which extra-oral root canal treatments were not performed while it was 9 min 15 sec when extra-oral root canal treatments were performed. The average radiographic distance between the root surface and the alveolar bone was 1.17 mm and 1.35 mm at mesial cervix and apex; they were 0.98 mm and 1.26 mm at the distal cervix and apex. When the dimensional errors between real tooth, 3D CT image model and CARP model were measured in cadavers, the average of absolute error was 0.291 mm between real teeth and CARP model. Conclusions: These data indicate that CARP may be of value in minimizing the extra-oral time and the gap between the donor tooth and the recipient alveolar bone in tooth transplantation.