Indian Journal of Anatomy

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The word brachydactyly is used to describe the hands and feet with shortened digits. Autosomal dominant brachydactyly Type-E (BDE) is a congenital limb malformation characterized by shortened digits in hands and feet predominantly as a result of shortened metacarpals and metatarsals . A 45 yrs old female presented with shortened 4th toe bilaterally with no other complaints.The 4th metatarsals were shortened bilaterally, rest other metatarsals, tarsals and phalanges appeared normal on X-ray examination.On family history there was positive history of similar brachydactyly of 4th toe bilaterally in her paternal grandfather and unilateral brachydactyly of 4th toe in her son. These features match approximately with isolated Type-E Brachydactyly. Type-E brachydactyly always inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.In present study when pedigree was plotted it was found that though the brachydactylous trait inherited as autosomal dominant , IInd generation showed nonpenetrance of the concerned trait while same was appeared in the IIIrd generation and the same trait showed variable expression in IVth generation which is rarely observed. Isolated brachydactyly has excellent prognosis and the role of surgical correction is limited only for cosmetic purpose in the present case. 

Keywords: Brachydactyly; Toes; Autosomal dominant; Non-penetrance; Variable expression.

In the department of anatomy MGIMS Sevagram during routine osteology demonstration classes for undergraduate students, one adult dried human skull of students had abnormally long styloid processes approximately measuring 5 cm in length. The details of this case along with clinical implications are presented below.

Keywords: Styloid process; Skull; Reichert’s cartilage.

During routine dissection, of the right upper limb of a 70 years old donated embalmed male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, K.J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, India, we observed a trifurcation of the brachial artery into the radial, ulnar and common interosseous arteries. The brachial artery trifurcated above the cubital fossa in the lower part of the arm. The common interosseous artery was longer in length. The common interosseous artery divided at an unusual site in the cubital fossa into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries. The radial artery travelled downward along the radial side of the forearm to the wrist. The course of the ulnar artery was normal. There were no associated altered anatomy of the nerves observed in the specimen. The variation was unilateral and the left upper limb was normal. The photographs of the trifurcation of brachial artery into radial, ulnar and common interosseous artery were taken for proper documentation. Conclusion: Topographical anatomy of the normal and abnormal variations of the axillary artery are clinically important for surgeons, orthopaedicians operating on the supracondylar fracture of humerus and radiologists performing angiographic studies on the upper limb. The trifurcation of brachial artery in the lower part of arm may result in excessive haemorrhage during supracondylar fracture of the humerus. A lack of knowledge of such type of variations with different patterns may complicate the surgery and may cause unnecessary bleeding. Therefore both the normal and abnormal anatomy of the region should be well known for accurate diagnostic interpretation and therapeutic intervention. 

Keywords : Brachial Artery; Trifurcation; Radial Artery; Ulnar Artery; Common Interosseous Artery; Surgeons; Orthopaedicians; Supracondylar Fracture; Radiologists; Angiographic Studies.

Amniotic bands are caused by tearing of amnion, which produces fiber like bands that may entrap the fetal parts in utero, a condition called Amniotic band syndrome (ABS). As the baby grows, the bands constrict or tighten, causing a reduction in blood supply and the extremities may develop abnormally or become amputated.

Keywords: Amniotic band syndrome; Ehler-Danlos Syndrome.

A sound knowledge of variations of blood vessels is important during operative diagnostic and endovascular procedures in the abdomen. This report describes the origin of right testicular artery from the renal artery and the origin of accessory right inferior suprarenal artery from the right testicular artery in a 60 year old male cadaver. A knowledge of the variant origin of the testicular artery is important during renal and testicular surgery. The origin and course must be carefully identified in order to preserve normal blood circulation and prevent testicular atrophy. A reduction in gonadal blood flow may lead to varicocele under circumstances. A knowledge of this variant anatomy may be of interest to radiologists and helpful in avoiding diagnostic errors.

Keywords: Renal artery; Suprarenal artery; Testicular artery; Varicocele. 

Dorsal Pancreatic Agenesis (DPA) is a rare congenital anomaly ,agenesis that results from the embryological failure of the dorsal pancreatic bud to form the body and tail of the pancreas. Present case of dorsal pancreatic agenesis have been reported in GMC ,Latur. A 11-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a normal-appearing pancreatic head, but the body and tail were not visualized. Endoscopic cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) revealed a short pancreatic duct. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were similar to the CT and ERCP results. The patient was diagnosed with agenesis of the dorsal pancreatic bud by CT, ERCP and MRI. 

Key Words : Agenesis; Dorsal Pancreas;, ERCP; CT.

Idiopathic epilepsy is a tendancy to have seizure when there is no structural abnormality in brain. The cause could be genetic and number of genes have been mapped. These genetic factors are reflected as changes in dermatoglyphis pattern in patients of idiopathic epilepsy. Sophisticated investigations may not possible in all cases. The objective of this study is to investigate the relation between the dermatoglyphic patterns as an indication of genetic susceptibility in the idiopathic epilepsy. Dermatoglyphics has been well established as a diagnostic aid in a number of diseases having hereditary basis. Genetics plays an important role in idiopathis epilepsy, so a study was done on 135 cases of both sexes to find out variations in dermatoglyphysics of these patients. It was found that patients of idiopathic epilepsy have increase in radial loops & decrease in whorls. These genetic factors are reflected as changes in dermatoglyphic pattern in patients of idiopathic epilepsy. 

Keywords: Dermatoglyphics; Idiopathic epilepsy; Palm print; Loops; Arches; Whorls. 

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics is scientific study of epidermal ridges and their configuration on palmar and plantar region. The factor which is responsible for genetic correlation of pulmonary tuberculosis is functional mutants of mannose binding protein. It plays important role in inheritance. Epidermal ridge pattern is also determined by genetics. Aims & Objectives: To find out various Dermatoglyphic features in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. To study the statistical significance of the difference found in patients and normal individuals. Observations: This study was attempted in two groups i.e. one with 100 patients (72-males, 28- emales) having pulmonary tuberculosis and the other with 100 healthy adult (72-males, 28-females) of same age groups 20-45 years. Results & Conclusions: There is decrease in number of hands in which ‘c’ line termination is towards ‘9’ in left hands of female patients than controls. Significant decrease in number of female patients having I3 pattern in their right hands as compared to female controls. We found Dermatoglyphic analysis proven to have advantages as a diagnostic tool in certain diseases including pulmonary tuberculosis. It can use as for the prevention & control of disease. 

Key words: Dermatoglyphics; Epidermal ridges; Tuberculosis; Prevention. 

Long bones are supplied by one or two main diaphyseal nutrient arteries. Along with these nutrient arteries numerous epiphyseal and metaphyseal arteries passes through the vascular foramina which penetrate bones near their ends, often at fairly specific sites. This epiphyseal and metaphyseal arterial supply is richer than the diaphyseal supply. In the present study 220 dried human adult ulnas were studied. The vascular foramina at the upper and lower ends of the ulna were observed and numbered. Topographical distributions of the nutrient foramina’s were also studied. Results were analyzed statistically. It shows that the difference between the number of vascular foramina at the upper and lower end of ulna is highly significant. So study concluded that the upper end of the ulna has rich blood supply than the lower end. Therefore the lower end is more liable for ischemic necrosis, non-union and delayed union when get fractured. Knowledge of such vascular foramina at the end of long bone is important to clinicians, surgeons and anatomist in the present era of modern surgeries like microvascular bone grafting. 

Keywords: Nutrient arteries; Vascular foramina; Ulna; Bone grafting.

Aim: To study the nerve supply to the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. Materials and Methods: 100 upper limbs of 50 donated embalmed cadavers (45 males & 5 females) of age group ranging from 70 to 80 years were studied in the department of Anatomy at K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, INDIA, the nerve supply to Extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle was observed. The finding was noted after thorough and meticulous dissection of the upper limbs of both sides. The arterial pattern of upper limb were also observed. The photographs of the variations were taken for proper documentation. Results / Observations: In 36 specimens of the upper limbs, the nerve supply to extensor carpi radialis brevis was from the deep branch of radial nerve i.e. the posterior interosseous nerve. In the remaining 64 upper limbs, the nerve supply to extensor carpi radialis brevis was from the angle of bifurcation of radial nerve in 22 specimens and from the superficial branch of radial nerve i.e. the radial nerve proper in 42 specimens. Conclusions: The awareness of the nerve supply to extensor carpi radialis brevis from superficial branch of radial nerve is clinically important for surgeons dealing with entrapment or compressive neuropathies, orthopaedicians operating on the fractures of the lower end of the humerus, anaesthetist performing pain management therapies on the upper limb and physiotherapist doing electromyography for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. A lack of knowledge of such type of variations might complicate surgical repair.  

Keywords: Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis; Superficial Radial Nerve; Nerve Variation; Surgeons; Compressive Neuropathies; Orthopaedicians; Fractures; Anaesthetist; Pain Management Therapy; Physiotherapist; Electromyography.