Kiwook Yang

The ileocolic vein passing through the ring-shaped part of ileocolic artery

PurposeThe purpose of this case report is to report vascular variations in the abdomen because of its clinical importance for the surgeries like acute abdominal emergencies and symptomatic aneurysms. Here, we report an extremely rare case with an ileocolic vein passing through the annulus of the ileocolic artery.MethodsDuring the routine dissection, we found an ileocolic vein perforating through a ring-shaped ileocolic artery.ResultsA ring-shaped ileocolic artery was originating from the superior mesenteric artery as a single branch. After forming the circle, it maintained the regular branching patterns. The ileocolic vein was drained from the ascending colon, cecum, appendix and the distal part of the ileum and passed the center of the ring-shaped part of the ileocolic artery from posterior to anterior. Other structures of the abdomen were normal.ConclusionsWe reported this rare variation and suggest that the clinicians should be aware of this variation for succeeding surgery and making a good diagnosis for the patients.

Accessory head of the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle merging with extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle

PurposeThe retention and capture functions of hand can be achieved by the consistent manner work of the extensor and flexor muscles. Therefore, it is important to know variations of the extensor and flexor muscles.MethodsDuring an educational dissection, accessory heads of the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle were found on the right side in a Korean cadaver.ResultsThe extensor carpi radialis longus muscle was originated from the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus and trifurcated into three heads as lateral, intermediated, and medial heads. The lateral and intermediated heads merged and inserted to the base of the second metacarpal bone. However, medial head of extensor carpi radialis longus muscle was merged with the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle.ConclusionsKnowledge of the variations of the ECRL is important for surgeons because the presence of the ECRL variations increases the incidence of iatrogenic injuries during surgery and invasive procedures.

Topography of the Middle Genicular Artery is Associated with the Superior and Inferior Genicular Arteries

Total knee arthroplasty has increased substantially, however anatomical studies of the genicular arteries (GAs) in this region are rare. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern and branching points of GAs and their relationship. In 42 lower limbs, the pattern and branching points of GAs were confirmed. The horizontal line which extends between the most prominent poi nt of the lateral and medial margins of patella was defined as a reference line. The distance of branching point of the GAs from the reference line was measured, and the correlations between these points were analyzed. The superior lateral and medial genicular arteries (SLGA and SMGA) were located at + 38.17 ± 3.10 mm and + 32.68 ± 3.83 mm from the reference line, respectively. The middle genicular artery (MGA) was originated from + 7.57 ± 3.98 mm. The inferior lateral and medial genicular arteries (ILGA and IMGA) were located at 18.46 ± 2.63 mm and 24.09 ± 3.52 mm, respectively. The branching points of the SLGA changed significantly according to the arterial branching pattern with the MGA. In addition, the branching point of the MGA had positive relationships with that of the IMGA (r = 0.385, p <0.05) and that of the ILGA (r = 0.348, p <0.05), respectively. In this study, topography of the GAs and its anatomica l ass ciation were demonstrated for the first time in Korean cadavers. Knowledge of the topography about frequent variation would be useful f or safe surgery and clinical procedures.