Rajan Bhatnagar

Anthropometric study of angle of femoral torsion in Maharashtrian population

Introduction: Angle of femoral torsion is a normal torsion or twist present in femur that plays an important role in stability and function of the hip joint. The angle of femoral torsion can be defined as the angle formed by femoral condyles plane (bicondylar plane) and a plane passing through center of neck and femoral head. Abnormal angle of femoral torsion has been implicated in the etiology of hip osteoarthrosis and developmental dysplasia of hip joint. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on unpaired 280, adult human femora devoid of any gross pathology, 139 male (65 right and 74 left), and 141 female (71 right and 70 left) from bone banks of three medical colleges of Maharashtra. The gender of each specimen was determined by the established practice. Femora were evaluated by Kingsley Olmsted method, and data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: The average angle of femoral torsion 13.39° and 11.23° on the right and left side respectively in male, 16.21° and 13.23° on the right and left side, respectively, in female. Statistical analysis using Students t-test revealed significant difference (P < 0.05), greater angle of femoral torsion in female and on the right side. Conclusion: Knowledge of angle of femoral torsion is becoming significant nowadays with an increase in demand for total hip replacement, as the angle of femoral torsion is crucial to attain a normal activity of the replaced joint.

Supernumerary head of biceps brachii and branching pattern of the musculocutaneous nerve

During routine dissection by medical undergraduates, third head of the biceps brachii muscle was found on the left side of a 75-year-old male cadaver in a total of 48 arms dissected in Department of Anatomy Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. Biceps brachii is a muscle of arm having two heads hence the name. The most frequent variation of the muscle is in the number of heads with a prevalence range of 9.1-22.9%. The origin of the supernumerary head in this case was from the humerus, between the insertion of the coracobrachialis and the upper part of the origin of the brachialis, and also from the medial intermuscular septum. The supernumerary head joined the common belly. It was supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve which after emerging from brachialis pierced it near the middle and terminated by finally supplying the biceps belly. In our study, 2.08% (1 of 48) of male cadavers were found to have the third head of biceps. The incidence of this variation can be as much as 10% as, shown in previous studies on Indian population, as reported in standard textbooks of anatomy.

Atlanto-occipital fusion: A case report

The atlas is the first cervical vertebra. In the history of anatomy, due to its primary function of supporting the skull, it has been innumerably compared with Atlas the Greek God, who holds the globe of the earth on his shoulders. This vertebra is devoid of a body and has two prominent lateral masses bearing a pair of superior concave facets and inferior smooth facets each. Atlanto-occipital fusion may be unilateral or bilateral, complete or incomplete and symptomatic or asymptomatic. In our, case atlanto-occipital fusion was observed in the skull of a male cadaver. Our study will be of significance to clinicians in the specialties of radiodiagnosis, orthopedics, neurosurgery and anesthesiology. Because of a lack of knowledge of developmental malformation in the craniocervical region, sudden death can occur during clinical manipulation. Head and neck surgeons must keep in mind that such anomaly can exist without any prior symptoms. The specimen seen represents a case of congenital fusion. The articular processes of the specimen are fused between the occipital and the atlas bones. Atlanto-occipital fusion decreases the diameter of the foramen magnum and produce neurovascular symptoms.

The histogenesis of human liver a perspective study on organization of hepatocytes and portal triad

Liver is the largest compound gland in the body.It plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of exocrine and endocrine functions in the body.It is known that function of an organ depends on histological maturation of that organ.By studying the microscopic structure of liver at various fetal ages will help to establish the time when the liver becomes fully functional.

Redeeming dissection course for medical undergraduates by compact structured schedules and frequent in-course assessments

Introduction Trends of doing away with dissection in anatomy are increasing worldwide for a variety of reasons. We have developed a strategy to redeem dissection by making it more purposeful and edit it to highlight clinical relevance using 90 structured dissection schedules and frequent in-course assessments. Materials and methods This strategy was tested by a longitudinal interventional study in medical undergraduates in the first year of preclinical phase. Out of 268 students, 134 were in a study group and the remaining 134 in a control group. Groups were similar in terms of age and sex composition and, prior academic performance. For the control group, dissection was performed using traditional methods and for the study group by the new strategy using 90 structured dissection schedules and weekly in-course assessments. Comparison of these groups was made in terms of their performance in three examinations spanning over one academic year. Results The study group performed better than the control group in both written and oral/practical parts of the first term, preliminary examinations and university examinations, the difference being statistically significant. Conclusion The threat to wreak havoc on the very edifice of medical education is to be countered by making dissection indispensable. It has been achieved by following a planned strategy that makes the student realise the importance of dissection. Dividing dissection course in well-defined schedules and conducting frequent in-course assessments improves the participation and performance of medical undergraduates.

Unilateral high bifurcation of brachial artery

Abstract Introduction Brachial artery, the principal artery of the arm, usually divides at the level of neck of radius into two branches. This article reports a case of unilateral high bifurcation of the brachial artery. Case report We report a case of high division of the brachial artery at the level of insertion of the coracobrachialis muscle. Further course of the ulnar and radial artery after reaching the forearm was usual. Discussion This variation, though not very uncommon, occurs in the embryo due to persistence of the upper portion of the radial artery arising from the brachial artery proximal to the origin of the ulnar artery followed by failure of development of the new connection of the radial artery with the brachial artery at the level of origin of the ulnar artery. Conclusion High division of the brachial artery has a profound applied importance especially in the field of vascular surgery and radiology, and the possibility of this variation should be bore in mind before any vascular surgery in the region of the forearm or while interpreting arteriograms of the upper limb.