S. Koshy

Estimation of length of calcaneum and talus from their bony markers

Since hardly a report is available on estimation of length of calcaneum and talus from a fragment of them, a fresh study was made on a present day south Indian population. A total of 110 calcanei (55 right and 55 left), and 70 tali (35 right and 35 left), all unpaired, dry, and devoid of gross pathology, were used. Maximum anteroposterior length of the bone was measured in millimeter using an anthropometric board, and linear measurements of the other bony markers were measured in millimeter using a sliding caliper. Bony markers of calcaneum were maximum anteroposterior length, maximum transverse width, length, width and depth of groove on the sustentaculum tali, and length, width, and depth of the sulcus calcanei. Bony markers of talus were maximum anteroposterior length, maximum transverse width, length and width of articular surface for the lateral malleolus, length and width of articular surface for the medial malleolus, vertical width and transverse width of articular surface of the head, width and depth of groove for tendon of the flexor hallucis longus, and length, width, and depth of the sulcus tali. Simple regression suggested that maximum length of the calcaneum regressed significantly with maximum transverse width, length, width and depth of groove on the sustentaculum tali, and length, width, and depth of the sulcus calcanei and that maximum length of the talus regressed significantly with maximum transverse width, length and width of the lateral articular surface, length of the medial articular surface, vertical and transverse diameters of the head, and depth of the sulcus tali. Maximum length of calcaneum and talus is derived from the regression values, to predict the stature of the person from available stature equations in the literature.

Clinically Important Anatomical Variation of Cutaneous Branches of Superficial Peroneal Nerve in the Foot

A detailed knowledge of the branching patterns and the variations of the cutaneous nerves of the extremities will help to decrease iatrogenic injury to these nerves. A case of abnormal distribution of the superficial peroneal nerve, observed during the routine dissection of the right leg of an 81 year old male cadaver at AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia is reported here. The nerve after supplying the peroneal muscles of lateral compartment gave a medial dorsal cutaneous branch and a lateral dorsal cutaneous branch. The medial dorsal cutaneous branch descended in front of the middle of the ankle to the dorsum of the foot and supplied the skin of medial side of the great toe, the medial side of the 1 st metatarsal region and the 1 st web space including the adjacent sides of great and second toes. The lateral dorsal cutaneous branch descended in front of the lateral malleolus to enter the lateral aspect of the dorsum of the foot where it divided into medial and lateral terminal branches to supply adjacent sides of the 2nd, 3rd, 4 th and 5th toes. On the other hand, the deep peroneal nerve after supplying the muscles of anterior compartment of leg continued on dorsum of foot without dividing into terminal branches and without supplying the skin of first web space and adjacent sides of great and second toes. It ended by supplying the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Surgical and clinical significance of this rare variation of the superficial peroneal nerve is discussed and relevant literature is reviewed.