Rakhi Rastogi

Concurrent variations of median and musculocutaneous nerves and their clinical correlation – a cadaveric study

Variations of median nerve, musculocutaneous nerve and their communicating branches are of interest for anatomists and surgeons. These variations may be vulnerable to damage in surgical procedures. We examined median nerve and musculocutaneous nerve concurrently in 58 cadavers, i.e. 116 superior extremities, and found median nerve innervating muscle of the anterior compartment of arm in the absence of musculocutaneous nerve in 11.2% superior extremities, splitting of median nerve in the arm into median nerve proper and musculocutaneous nerve in 5.12% superior extremities, and communication between median and musculocutaneous nerves in 20.7% superior extremities. Knowledge of such anatomical variations is helpful for surgeons treating neoplasm or repairing trauma.

Supernumerary renal arteries and their embryological and clinical correlation: a cadaveric study from north India.

Background. Classically, each kidney is supplied by a single renal artery originating from abdominal aorta. The present study aimed at its variations and their embryological and clinical correlation. Material and Methods. The formalin-fixed thirty-seven cadavers from north India constituted the material for the study. During routine abdominal dissection conducted for medical undergraduates at the department of anatomy, the kidneys along with their arteries were explored and the morphological variations of renal arteries were noted. Results. We observed supernumerary renal arteries in 23/37 (62.2%) cases (48.6% of aortic origin and 13.5% of renal origin) on the right side and 21/37 (56.8%) cases (45.9% of aortic origin and 10.8% of renal origin) on the left side. Supernumerary renal arteries entered the kidney through hilum, superior pole, and inferior pole. Conclusion. Awareness of variations of renal artery is necessary for surgical management during renal transplantation, repair of abdominal aorta aneurysm, and urological procedures and for angiographic interventions.

Anatomical Variations in the Branching Pattern of Human Aortic Arch: A Cadaveric Study from Central India

Variations of the branches of aortic arch are due to alteration in the development of certain branchial arch arteries during embryonic period. Knowledge of these variations is important during aortic instrumentation, thoracic, and neck surgeries. In the present study we observed these variations in fifty-two cadavers from Indian populations. In thirty-three (63.5%) cadavers, the aortic arch showed classical branching pattern which includes brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery. In nineteen (36.5%) cadavers it showed variations in the branching pattern, which include the two branches, namely, left subclavian artery and a common trunk in 19.2% cases, four branches, namely, brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left vertebral artery, and left subclavian artery in 15.3% cases, and the three branches, namely, common trunk, left vertebral artery, and left subclavian artery in 1.9% cases.

Critical problems of equatorial electrojet

This paper describes the general features of the equatorial electrojet current over the magnetic equator based on ground geomagnetic observatory data, rocket borne magnetometer data, ground based HF and VHF sounding of the atmosphere. Also are described its association with magnetosphere currents, interplanetary magnetic field charges and with Equatorial Ionisation anomaly and plasma irregularities in the F region. Distinct unsolved problems of equatorial electrojet are pointed and suggestions of coordinated investigations are made to understand the highly complex nature of equatorial electrojet.

Study of Position, Shape, and Size of Mental Foramen Utilizing Various Parameters in Dry Adult Human Mandibles from North India

Background. As the mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark to facilitate surgical, local anesthetic, and other invasive procedures, the present study was aimed to elucidate its morphological features and morphometric parameters with reference to surrounding landmarks. Material and Method. 105 dry adult human mandibles of unknown sex were observed for position, shape, and number of mental foramina. Their size was measured using a digital vernier caliper and statistically analyzed by mean and standard deviations (SD). Results. In most cases (74.3%), the MF was oval in shape and situated on the longitudinal axis of the 2nd premolar tooth (61% on right side and 59.1% on left side). The mean distance for the right and left sides was measured from various landmarks. Conclusion. Prior knowledge of mental foramen variations helps surgeons in planning surgery in that region to avoid nerve damage and also enable effective mental nerve block anesthesia.

Posterior cord of brachial plexus and its branches: anatomical variations and clinical implication.

Background. Knowledge of anatomical variations of posterior cord and its branches is important not only for the administration of anaesthetic blocks but also for surgical approaches to the neck, axilla, and upper arm. The present study aimed to record the prevalence of such variations with embryological explanation and clinical implication. Material and Method. 37 formalin-preserved cadavers, that is, 74 upper extremities from the Indian population, constituted the material for the study. Cadavers were dissected during routine anatomy classes for medical undergraduate. Dissection includes surgical incision in the axilla, followed by retraction of various muscles, to observe and record the formation and branching pattern of posterior cord of brachial plexus. Results. Posterior cord was formed by union of posterior division of C5 and C6 roots with posterior division of middle and lower trunk (there was no upper trunk) in 16.2% of upper extremities. Posterior cord of brachial plexus was present lateral to the second part of axillary artery in 18.9% of upper extremities. Axillary nerve was taking origin from posterior division of upper trunk in 10.8% upper extremities and thoracodorsal nerve arising from axillary nerve in 22.9% upper extremities. Conclusion. It is important to be aware of such variations while planning a surgery in the region of axilla as these nerves are more liable to be injured during surgical procedures.

Histopathological changes in the arrector pili muscle of normal appearing skin in leprosy patients

BACKGROUND Leprosy is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which affects not only the peripheral nerves and skin, but also various internal viscera through hematogenous spread, especially in lepromatous cases. Histology in its own way plays a vital role, not only in classifying the established lesion, but also in confirming the clinical diagnosis. During the latent period of subclinical involvement, the apparently normal looking skin might also be undergoing some pathological changes. METHODS We investigated skin biopsy material taken from 60 patients with clinically diagnosed leprosy at Subharti Hospital, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, India. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Haradas modified allochrome method for acid-fast bacilli were applied for histological investigations. RESULTS The pattern of leprosy among the patients was indeterminate in 25 cases (41.7%), tuberculoid in 14 (23.3%), borderline tuberculoid in six (10%), borderline leprosy in four (6.7%), borderline lepromatous in four (6.7%), and lepromatous leprosy in seven (11.7%). Changes were seen in the arrector pili muscle of normal appearing skin in all types of leprosy, but involvement was greater at the lepromatous end of the spectrum compared to the tuberculoid end. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study revealed definitive histological changes in the arrector pili muscle in normal appearing skin. The presence of AFB is significant as far as dissemination and transmission of the disease is concerned.

TROPOSPHERIC WESTERLY JET STREAMS AS SOURCES OF MEDIUM SCALE TID'S OVER INDIA DURING WINTER

Preliminary suggestions were made earlier, that a possible correlation exists between the tropospheric westerly jet streams and the observed medium scale TIDs over India, during winter. In this paper we examine this suggestion more closely, on a day-to-day basis. Utilising the observed TID parameters-namely, the period and horizontal velocities- for some Winter days, we have attempted reverse group ray tracing for precisely locating the sources of these TIDs. It is found that the source locations so obtained lie within or near strong westerly jet stream activity. This provides a more quantitative confirmation of the contention that the observed TIDs are generated by the jet streams.