Soner Albay

The morphometry of patella and patellar ligament during the fetal period.

This study aims to determine the development and morphology of the patella and patellar tendon and to obtain morphometric data about these structures during the fetal period. One hundred five human fetuses (55 males and 50 females) aged 9–40 weeks were used in this study. Fetuses were divided into four groups between gestational weeks; Group I (9–12 weeks), Group II (13–25 weeks), Group III (26–37 weeks), and Group IV (38–40 weeks). The patella and patellar ligament were exposed via anatomical dissection; the dimensions (length, width, thickness) and the width of the lateral and medial articular surfaces of the patella, and the length and width of the patellar ligament, were measured using a Verniers caliper. No significant differences were observed between genders or sides for any of the parameters (P > 0.05), and a significant correlation was found between gestational age and all parameters (P < 0.001). All parameters of the patella and patellar ligament were found to be different statistically between trimesters (P < 0.05). This study reveals the development, morphological changes, and the morphometric measurements of the patella and patellar ligament during the fetal period. We hope that the present results can be useful for future studies. Clin. Anat. 24:225–231, 2011.

Motor branching patterns of the ulnar nerve in the forearms of fetal cadavers

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the branches of the ulnar nerve given to forearm muscles [flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)] and typing of ulnar nerve according to distribution of these branches to the muscles.MethodsFrom the collection of Anatomy Department Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, 116 upper limbs of fetuses showing no external anomaly and aging between 12th and 40th weeks of pregnancy, were included in this study for anatomical dissection. Parameters about the branching of fetal ulnar nerve were set as follows: branch/branches to FCU muscle and branch/branches to FDP muscle.ResultsUlnar nerve was typed according to number, sequence, and distribution of motor branches of ulnar nerve. As a result of this typing, eight type branching model of ulnar nerve was confirmed.ConclusionsOur study is critically important for implementing successful surgical interventions and minimizing complications especially in ulnar nerve and forearm muscles surgery also in nerve replacement on this area.

Evaluation of fibular muscles and prevalence of accessory fibular muscles on fetal cadavers

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine clinical importance and morphology of the fibularis longus, brevis, tertius muscles (presented as fibular muscles in this study), and prevalence of accessory fibular muscles (AFM) on fetal cadavers.Materials and methodsIn this study, 200 limbs from 100 embalmed fetuses (54 male and 46 female) were studied. Morphology of fibular muscles and the presence of AFM were observed through dissection on fetal legs bilaterally. The absence of fibularis tertius muscle (FT) and the presence of AFM were identified. Length and length of the tendon of AFM were measured. Insertion of AFM was also identified.ResultsMean values and standard deviations of all parameters according to trimesters were calculated. All parameters were increased with age during the fetal period. We determined the absence of FT; no FT was observed in 40 legs of 200 extremities (20%). The AFM was present in 7 of 200 specimens (3.5%). AFM muscles were classified into two types according to their site of origin.ConclusionThe present study has revealed the morphology of the fibular muscles and prevalence of the presence of AFM on fetal cadavers. In addition, it has revealed the morphometric development and prevalence of the absence of FT in a large series, and their clinical importance was discussed.

Determination and classification of cutaneous innervation of dorsum of the foot in fetal cadavers

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to determine cutaneous innervation of the dorsum of the foot on foetal cadavers. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study. 200 limbs from 100 embalmed foetuses (54 males and 46 females) were studied in Anatomy Laboratory. Contributions of medial, lateral and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves (MDCN, LDCN and IDCN) of the foot were identified. RESULTS Cutaneous innervation of the dorsum of the foot was classified into five types. Type I (75%) where MDCN innervated medial border of the foot and second interdigital cleft; IDCN innervated third, fourth and fifth interdigital clefts; and LDCN innervated the lateral border of the foot. Type II (21%) where MDCN innervated medial border of the foot, second and third interdigital clefts; IDCN innervated fourth and fifth interdigital clefts; and LDCN innervated the lateral border of the foot. Type III (1.5%) where saphenous nerve innervated medial border of the foot; MDCN innervated second and third interdigital clefts; IDCN innervated fourth and fifth interdigital clefts; and LDCN innervated the lateral border of the foot. Type IV (1.5%) was similar to type I, with an extra connection between the MDCN and IDCN on the dorsum of the foot. Type V (1%) where superficial fibular nerve innervated medial border of the foot, and second, third and fourth interdigital clefts; and sural nerve innervated fifth interdigital cleft and lateral border of the foot. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides a new classification for the cutaneous innervation of the dorsum of the foot.