Indian Journal of Anatomy

The placenta is a unique organ, short-lived by design. Its existence is vital for the persistence of human embryo/foetus in the intrauterine
environment. Structural and functional derangement of placenta arouses a considerable interest, as this may be the only index to measure the adequacy of the foetal environment. Hypertensive disorders generating
complications during pregnancy (Toxaemia of pregnancy) which are common and forming deadly characters along with haemorrhage and infection. Maternal hypertension (toxaemia of pregnancy) is diagnosed in 6–10% of all deliveries which is related with 22% of perinatal foetal deaths and 30% of maternal death. The present study has done in
240 pregnant mothers, divided into four groups 40 cases of mild preeclampsia, 40 cases of severe preeclampsia, 40 cases of Eclampsia, 120 cases of control (Normotensive) pregnant women admitted in
Department of Obs and gynaecology, Rama medical college, Hospital and research centre, Mandana, Kanpur (Up) and Shadan institute of medical sciences, Peeranchuruvu, Hyderabad, Telangana
(India). The placentae were weighed with a standard weighing machine. The fetal weight was noted from the case records provided. In this present study the mean placental, birth weights were low in different
grades of toxaemia of pregnancy when compared with the control group. The fetoplacental weight ratio was higher in cases of eclampsia, severe and mild preeclampsia when compared with the control group.

Keywords: Preeclampsia; Eclampsia; Placenta
weight; Foetal weight; fetoplacental weight ratio
 

The coracobrachialis muscle is a muscle of armthat shows several variations in its attachments. It isinserted into the middle 5 cm of the medial border ofthe humerus. The median nerve crosses the brachial artery from lateral to medial near the insertion ofcoracobrachialis and enters the cubital fossa. Thenerve and the artery may vary in their course This study was conducted in 36 embalmed adult upper limbs of both sexes of age group between 50–80 years from the Department of Anatomy, KMC, Chennai were studied. In this study, a musculoaponeurotic tunnel formed by coracobrachialis muscle was observed in 2.8% of the specimen in which entrapment of brachial artery and median nerve was present.

The abnormality reported in the present study maylead to neurovascular compression syndrome in the upper limb. Knowledge of anatomical variations in the muscular structure and its related neurovascular
entrapment is important surgically for orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and also physiotherapists clinically.

Aneurysms, tumours, meningiomas andextradural haemorrhage are the most commonalarming neurological problems in the present era. These may have pathological cause and sudden strokeor fractures either by fall from a height accidentally,road traffic accidents proper or suicidal attempts leading to any of these above mentioned conditions
primarily or secondarily.
 

Aim and Objectives Aim of The Study: This study is therefore aimedat determining the position of Pterion at variouspalpable points with relation, types of Pterion with relation to middle meningeal artery and brain.

Objectives of The Study: To achieve the above aim,the work is planned by the following objectives –1. To analyze type of Pterion based on Murphyclassification.Murphy’s classification includes 4 types Pterion
namely,

A) Spheno-parietal type: Greater wing of sphenoid
articulates with the parietal bone to form the letter
‘H’.

B) Frontotemporal type: Squamous part of the
temporal bone articulates with the frontal bone.

C) Stellate type: Here all bones (frontal, temporal,
greater wing of sphenoid and parietal) articulates at a
point in the form of letter ‘k’.

D) Epipteric type: A sutural bone is lodged between
the four bones forming the Pterion.

2. To analyze comparision of Pterion on both sides
of a same skull. To measure length of Pterionic suture.To measure the distance from centre of Pterion tocentre of zygomatic arch. To measure the distancefrom centre of Pterion to posterolateral margin of
frontozygomatic suture. To measure distance fromcentre of Pterion’s inner aspect to lateral end ofcrest of ridge on the lesser wing of sphenoid bone.To measure distance from centre of Pterion’s inner
aspect to lateral margin of optic canal.To measuredistance from centre of Pterion to lower end ofmastoid process.

Material And Methods: 100 adult human dry skullsof known sex, collected from the department ofanatomy, Narayana medical college, Nellore and S.Vmedical college, Tirupathi.This was an observational
study.

Observation and Results: In the present studyvarious types of pterions were observed as shownin pie diagram. 100 adult dry skulls were examined.Sphenoparietal (92%), Frontotemporal (3%), Stellate
(2%) and Epipteric (3%). The results of remaining parameters are tabulated and photographed.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the location andrelations of Pterion is important in relation to surgicalintervention, particularly with respect to course ofthe branches of middle meningeal artery and Broca’s
motor speech area on the left side. The distancesbetween the Pterion, lesser wing of sphenoid ridgeand optic canal are of practical importance in surgicalapproaches to these regions via Pterion.

Background: Supratrochlear foramen (STF) islocated on the bony septum that separates theolecranon fossa from the coronoid fossa, at the lowerend of the humerus. The knowledge of the presence of
STF in a humerus may be important for preoperativeplanning for treatment of supracondylar fracture.The presence of STF may also result in erroneous interpretation of radiographs.

Materials and methods: The STF was studiedin detail in 300 (175 right side and 125 left side) human dried humeri of unknown sex and age. Thetopographical anatomy of the STF was studied in detail, morphometric measurements were taken, and the specimens were photographed.

Results: Out of the 300 bones studied, 140 cases(46.6%) showed the presence of STF. The STF wasoval, round, and triangular in shape in 128, 7, and 5cases, respectively. The mean length of the transverse
diameter for supratrochlear foramen was 6.60 mmand 5.9 mm on the left and right sides, respectively.The mean length of the vertical diameter for STF was4.80 mm and 3.80 mm on the left and right sides,
respectively. Most of the bones that had no STFshowed a translucency of septum, in 54.4% of the bones.

Conclusions: The results of our study show that STFis more common on the right side, with the oval shapebeing more common. The respective sides did notexhibit any statistical significant differences. Presence of STF may be important for anthropological, clinical,
and academic purpose.

Background: Hyoid bone is of considerable forensicinterest owing to its susceptibility to fracture duringmanual strangulation, hanging and other forms ofneck compression. In road traffic accidents it mayget injured leading to significant airway concerns. Ahyoid bone’s shape may influence its susceptibility tofracture and hyoid fractures are frequently confused with normal variations in both clinical and forensic medico-legal cases. Aim our study was to establish a method of sex differentiation by the shape of hyoid bone there by helping the forensic expert to come to a conclusion.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of anatomy on 60 hyoid bones obtained from medico legal postmortems conducted in the department of forensic medicine, Government
medical college Mysore.

Results: It is observed that the most common shape of hyoid is ‘U’ in male’s and deviated type in female’s.Least common types are ‘V’ shape in male’s and boatshape in females.

Conclusion: The present study was conducted toknow the relationship of the sex with the shape ofthe hyoid bone . The presence of a fractured hyoidbone is of great importance in cases involving badly decomposed bodies and skeletal remains lacking softtissue evidence of neck injury. The present study was conducted to help forensic experts while diagnosing hyoid fractures and determination of sex from the skeletal remains.

Context: The menisci are cartilaginous tissuewhich provide structural integrity to the knee during tension and torsion. Variations of form,thickness andwidth determine possibility and kind of injury. Now
a days, Menisci are considered having integral role innormal knee joint mechanics. The detail knowledgeof meniscal morphometry is important to understandits pathology and treatment.

Aims: To measure width, thickness, outer and inner circumference, distance between anterior and posterior horn of medial and lateral menisci.Methods and Material: Study was done on 80 menisci of both sides. Distance between anterior andposterior end, outer and inner circumference, width and thickness of menisci measured by using Vernier caliper.

Statistical analysis used: P value calculated by t test to assess statistical significance.

Results: Width of posterior 1/3rd shows statistically
significant variation, along with thickness of posterior 1/3rd.

Conclusions: The difference between anterior and posterior horn of the medial meniscus was quite higher than that of lateral meniscus. In the medial meniscus, the posterior third was widest and thickest
part which was statistically significant, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in anterior and middle third thickness and width of
both menisci. These findings are in accordance with certain injuries being common in medial menisci.However more sophisticated instruments needed forbetter measurement.

Key messages: Detailed morphometry of meniscihelps to understand meniscal injuries and their management.
 

Context: As human brain ages, characteristic structural changes occur that are considered to be normal. Knowledge of age related changes is important before analysing the abnormal findings. As age advances there is regression of brain tissue and thus ventricles size enlarges.

Aims: To analyse the morphometric measurements of lateral ventricles of the brain in different age group in both genders. Material and Methods: The study was done from Feb 2009 to July 2010. Data was collected from the CT scans Dept of Radiology Mysore Medical College & Research Institute. 200 normal CT scans (100 male, 100 female) in the age group of 10–80 yrs were collected.

Results: Right frontal horn measures 28.8 ± 2.5 in youngest and 30.3 ± 2.5 in oldest group. Right body part measures 47.9 ± 2.9 in youngest and 49.0 ± 1.9 in oldest group. Posterior horn measures 26.2 ± 1.9 in youngest age group and 26.0 ± 1.4 in oldest age group. Inferior horns could not be visible in few scans and were taken wherever possible as transverse diameter (TD) and vertical diameter (VD). All the measurements were found to be more in age group > 60 yrs compared to younger age group. Statistical methods: Data was analysed by using SPSS 2004 version, Standard Deviation and Independent ‘t’ test, analysis of variant and P – value.

Conclusion: Advances in CT imaging helps us to understand the normal structure and function of brain. The present study has shown increase in ventricular measurements as age advances.