854 published articles
Analisi della modularità del sistema muscoloscheletrico umano condotta con strumenti informatici: le strutture funzionali vengono trattate come una rete di correlazioni, per far emergere i raggruppamenti che la sola descrizione anatomica regionale non mostra.
Revisione narrativa dell'organizzazione frattale degli organi umani: la ripetizione di uno stesso schema di ramificazione a scale diverse — dall'albero bronchiale alla rete vascolare, dai dotti ghiandolari alle arborizzazioni nervose — e il rapporto fra questa geometria, la funzione dell'organo e le sue applicazioni cliniche.
The petrotympanic canal, traditionally referred to as Civinini's or Huguier's canal, represents an anatomical passage connecting the middle ear and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Despite its early description, its structural complexity and functional significance have often been underestimated. In this study, we combined historical, anatomical, and comparative approaches to clarify its morphology, content, and potential evolutionary role. Morphometric analysis of 195 recent human skulls confirmed its constant presence. At the same time, comparative assessment across 27 primate specimens showed that the canal is consistently present in humans and great apes but absent in non-anthropoid, quadrupedal primates. This distribution pattern suggests that the canal may represent a derived feature associated with craniofacial reorganization in bipedal or facultatively bipedal taxa. Clinically, its neurovascular and ligamentous contents highlight potential implications for otological symptoms, TMJ dysfunction, and pathological spread between the middle ear and infratemporal regions.
Variations in the branching pattern of the facial artery may affect the planning and outcome of reconstructive and aesthetic procedures in the midface. Here, we report a rare anatomical variant in which the facial artery trifurcates early into three distinct branches, including a novel buccinator branch. In January 2025, the right-sided facial artery of a 67-year-old male Caucasian cadaver, injected with colored acrylic resins, was dissected at the ICLO Teaching and Research Center (Verona, Italy). Following identification of the external carotid artery, the facial artery was traced via an oblique submandibular approach. Instead of the classical singular course, the facial artery formed a common trunk that, 2 cm distal to its origin, trifurcated within a 1 cm span along the inferior mandibular margin. The anteromedial branch followed the standard facial artery trajectory; the posterolateral (premasseteric) branch supplied the masseteric region; and the central (buccinator) branch penetrated the buccinator fascia, arborizing extensively within the muscle belly. This buccinator branch exhibited a markedly dense microvascular network not previously described. While the direct clinical impact of a single observation remains limited, awareness of such configurations may be relevant in selected surgical contexts, particularly in flap planning and in procedures involving the buccal region.
Knowledge of anatomical variability is extremely important in order to better understand the etiology of pain, if present, or to avoid iatrogenic consequences. Sometimes the anatomical "anomalies" have the same anamnesis but different causes. For example, sciatic neuralgia may be caused by a herniated disc or it may have a different origin. The sciatic nerve (SN), also known as the ischial nerve, is the widest in the human body. This huge peripheral nerve originates from the roots of the lumbosacral plexus (L4-S3) and passes through the great sciatic foramen, under the piriformis muscle (PM). However, there is much variability in the pattern of SNs about the muscle, which has been known since the first half of the 20th century. In the present study, we describe six different case reports of anatomical variations of the SN and its interplay with the PM. The observations were made during dissection classes at the ICLO Teaching and Research Centre (Verona, Italy), on both male and female cadavers aged between 58 and 84 years. The SN was reported as a single and divided nerve into the tibial nerve (TN) and the common peroneal nerve (CPN), passing alone above, below, or between the PM. However, the two parts of the SN may also interact with the PM in different ways, adding to the anatomical variability. A thorough knowledge of the anatomical variations in any part of the human body is extremely important.
Background: The "classic" thyroid gland arterial vascularization takes into account two superior thyroid arteries (STA), two inferior thyroid arteries (ITA) and, occasionally, a thyroid ima artery (TIMA). The present review focuses on exploring the available data concerning thyroid gland arterial vascularization and its variations. Methods: Here, we analysed 49 articles from the last century, ranging from case reports to reviews concerning cadaver dissection classes, surgical intervention, and non-invasive techniques as well. Results: The harvested data clearly highlighted that: (i) the STA originates predominantly from the external carotid artery; (ii) the ITA is a branch of the thyrocervical trunk; and (iii) the TIMA is a very uncommon variant predominantly occurring to compensate for ITA absence. Conclusion: A systematic review of a highly vascularized organ is of great relevance during surgical intervention and, thus, the knowledge of normal anatomy and its modification is essential both for fact-finding and in surgery.
Introduction: vascular anatomy variations are important in academic, clinical and surgical areas as well as nephrology, urology, oncological and vascular surgery, among others. The main objective of this review is to know the real prevalence of multiple renal arteries in a wide, multiethnic population. Secondary objectives are to establish the prevalence of early branching of the renal artery and the prevalence of these variations in left and right kidneys. Methods: this study analyzes the renal arterial anatomy of 20.782 kidneys from 64 anatomical and radiological studies. Results: Multiple renal arteries (MRA) were present in 19,95% of the total kidneys, in number of 2 to 6 arteries arriving to the hilum. The most frequent number of MRA was 2 renal arteries (89,48%), followed by 3 (9,31%), 4 (1,06%), 5 (0,02%) and 6 (0,005%). This last one being found in only one kidney. Reported data on the lateralization of the MRA are rather poor, and among these no side's predilection was found: MRA were found in 49,83% on the right side and 50,17% of left kidneys. Early branching patterns were described in only one third of the published data, being present in 11,4% of the total kidneys from those data (corresponding in 4,23% of right kidney cases and in 4,52% of left kidney cases; 2,66% had no right/left information).
Variations in the branching pattern of the aortic arch are clinically relevant because of the direct influence that their presence can have on the success of cardio-vascular procedures, neck or thorax surgery, trauma management or intensive care. In most cases these anatomical variations are asymptomatic and considered clinically benign, but some particular aortic branching patterns have been associated with surgical complications or with vascular diseases in non-surgical patients. The main objective of this work was to study the frequency of variation of the aortic arch branching pattern in a wide and varied population on the basis of literature reports. The aortic arch branching pattern of 20,030 cases reported by 40 anatomical or radiological studies were analyzed. 84,52% of the studied population had a three branches pattern and 14,65% had a two branches pattern. The four primary arteries were seen arising directly from the aortic arch in 0,81% of the cases and only 0,02% had them all arising from a common trunk.
Non-pathological differences in the shape, number, course and position of human body structures: what separates a variation from an anomaly and a malformation, why variation exists, how frequent it is, and why it matters in clinical and surgical practice.
Maxillary Division (V2) The maxillary nerve may split into two trunks, each entering the skull through a separate foramen
In the absence of the buccal nerve, the posterior superior alveolar nerve distributes branches to the areas normally supplied by this nerve (mucous membrane and skin of the cheek).
Omphaocele (congenital herniation of viscera into the base of the umbilical cord) is rare having an incidence of 1/10,000 births (Hutchin).
"Sterility in the Male.--Pajot has examined the spermatic fluid of over 200 men, aet. from twenty-five to sixty, and he emphasizes the fact, of which too little notice is generally taken, that in sterile marriages, oftener than one is disposed to imagine, the fault lies at the door of the husband. The spermatic fluid may be rich, ordinary, poor or insufficient, or absolutely worthless."--From Edinburgh Medical Journal, 1825.
The thickness of skin (epidermis and dermis) averages between 1 and 2 mm. It is 3 to 6 mm in the interscapular region, back of the neck, and flexor surfaces of hand and foot. It is less than 0.5 mm over the tympanic membrane and eyelid. The integument is thicker on the posterior or extensor surfaces than on corresponding regions of the anterior or flexor surfaces, with the exception of the hand and foot. The color of skin is dependent upon intrinsic pigmentation and blood flow. Pigment may be absent (albinism) or generally reduced (partial albinism).
Absence of the seminal vesicles is very rare. They are often bilaterally unequal in size, shape, and form. Cysts of the seminal vesicles are uncommon (+/- 100 total cases reported) but when present they are associated with unilateral renal agenesis in 68% of cases. Berengario da Carpi (1470-1530) was the first anatomist to describe the seminal vesicles (1523). Variations in Seminal Vesicles
Apart from variations in size, the prostate is subject to few variations. Persistence of the original independence of the lateral lobes, absence of the middle lobe, and presence of a fourth lobe have been reported. Variations in the relations and mode of ending of the ejaculatory ducts (fusion into a single canal, or termination in the prostatic utricle or by a special canal below the crest) or in the prostatic utricle (absence, enlarged size, or unusual opening) are related to deviations in the development of the generative tract.
Bifid conditions and complete duplication (diphallus) may occur. Diphallia has a report frequency of 1/5.5 million births (US Public Health Service) (Cernach) Congenital absence of the penis has a frequency of 1/30,000,000 (documentation unavailable). An os penis has been reported. The first reported case of doubled penis was found on a cadaver, in Bologna, in 1609 by Wecker. It was reported as follows: Observatio. Pene gemino visus quidam. Vidimvs Bononia in publicis dissectionibus cadauer viri qui duplicem habuit penem. Cl. v.
A case has been reported of displacement of the parotid gland on one side, with the entire gland being located on the masseter muscle. The gland may extend to the mandibular ramus to cover the buccinator muscle. Its absence has also been recorded. The parotid duct may be doubled. Accessory parotid gland tissue may be found strung-out along the course of the parotoid duct. Frommer reported 21% of ninety-six dissections had detached accessory parotid glandular tissue at variable distances from the main gland.
The nose may be divided in the midline, duplicated, or reduced to a half nose. Cleft Nose
