Various forms of the celiac trunk and its anastomoses with the superior mesenteric artery]

Three rare varieties of upper abdominal arteries were compared with similar cases in the anatomical literature. An attempt was made to obtain a classification of the supernumerary branches of the celiac trunk and of the anastomoses between the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery. One or more supernumerary branches of the celiac artery can be observed: (1) the superior mesenteric artery; (2) an accessory hepatic artery; (3) a posterior pancreatic artery; (4) a colic artery; (5) an accessory splenic artery; (6) a connecting branch to the superior mesenteric artery, and (7) an inferior phrenic artery. The following types of anastomoses between the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery can be distinguished: (1) direct connection; (2) anastomoses within the hepatic artery; (3) anatomoses following pre- or postnatal stenosis, and (4) the pancreatic arcades. For the first type the theory of TANDLER (longitudinal anastomosis) is abandoned. The development of the second type is as yet unresolved. In the case of the last two types a postembryonal formation is possible.     

猿类胰腺的动脉分布模式初步研究

目的:对25例猿类胰腺及周围动脉进行解剖分析,研究猿类胰腺动脉的起源及肠系膜上动脉和腹腔干动脉的吻合关系。方法:对6例类人猿(Gorilla 1例,Pan troglodytes 3例和Hylobates lar 2例),13例狭鼻猿(Papio hamadryas 1例,Papio anubis 2例和Cercopithecus aethiops 10例)和6例阔鼻猿(Saimiri 6例)处死后取出内脏,用10%的福尔马林固定后储存在50%的酒精中,对胰腺、胃及脾脏的供应血管进行解剖游离和解剖分析,最后进行画图。结果:猿类胰腺动脉分布发源自腹腔干和/或肠系膜上动脉,胰腺接受腹腔干及肠系膜动脉的双向供应外,也有独自接受腹腔干动脉的血供,腹腔干动脉与肠系膜上动脉之间无任何吻合支存在者占总数的32%。结论:猿类胰腺形态与人类相似,其动脉分布来源比人类更有多样性。     

Properties of the celiac trunk--anatomical study

Although anatomical properties and vessel variations of the celiac trunk are well explored in the literature, there is not so much information on the arterial diameters, and this data is important for surgical procedures and angiographic examinations. The aim of this study was to investigate properties of the celiac trunk in humans by using anatomical dissection. Ninety cadavers were dissected for the celiac trunk identification and arterial diameter measurements. The results of anatomical examination showed that in 72% of all cases the celiac trunk divides into the splenic artery and the common hepatic artery, while the left gastric artery arises as a first branch and had origin between aorta, all over the celiac trunk up to a bifurcation. From the 90 cadavers, 4 presented anatomical variations. Where normal anatomy was present, the mean length of the celiac trunk was 1.9 +/- 0.08 cm and its mean arterial diameter was 0.78 +/- 0.08 cm. The splenic artery had the largest diameter (0.61 +/- 0.05 cm) and the left gastric artery had the smallest diameter (0.38 +/- 0.03 cm). Our data represent original results about anatomical variations and arterial diameter of the celiac trunk and its main branches provided by anatomical dissection.     

Features of the development of the arteries of the human liver and their practical significance

By means of roentgenography and preparation methods 145 specimens of the hepatic arteries filled with roentgenopaque latex have been studied. An essential individual changeability is peculiar for the celiac trunk structure and for formation of the hepatic arteries. A "typical" structure of the celiac trunk is observed in 66%. In other cases either "noncompleteness" of the celiac trunk, or increasing number of the branches up to 4-6 are observed. As a rule, the common hepatic artery gets of the celiac trunk (93%), but sometimes it can take its origin from the aorta, the superior mesenteric artery and some other sources (7%). The hepatic artery proper only in 73% divides into the right and left branches, in other observations the latter have their independent formation. It is necessary to distinguish the independent separation of the right and left lobar hepatic arteries from some sources and presence of additional arteries. The additional arteries are the branches that are formed from any arteries when there is present the hepatic artery proper, or substituting it independent right and left branches. The additional arteries appear from the left gastric, superior mesenteric, gastro-duodenal arteries, from the aorta, the right renal artery and other sources. The peculiarities of formation of the hepatic arteries discussed can be used in clinical practice and can make the terminology more precise.     

The bronchial tree and blood vessels of the Japanese monkey lung

The author injected various colored celluloid solutions into the bronchial tree and blood vessels of the lungs of five adult Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) in order to prepare cast specimens. These specimens were investigated from the comparative anatomical viewpoint to determine whether the bronchial ramification theory of the mammalian lung (Nakakuki, 1975, 1980) can be applied to the Japanese monkey lung or not. The bronchioles are arranged stereotaxically like those of other mammalian lungs. The four bronchiole systems, dorsal, ventral, medial, and lateral, arise from both bronchi, respectively, although some bronchioles are lacking. In the right lung, the bronchioles form the upper, middle, accessory, and lower lobes, while in the left lung, the upper and accessory lobes are lacking and bi-lobed middle and lower lobes are formed. In the right lung, the upper lobe is formed by the first branch of the dorsal bronchiole system. The middle lobe is the first branch of the lateral bronchiole system. The accessory lobe is the first branch of the ventral bronchiole system. The lower lobe is formed by the remaining bronchioles of the four bronchiole systems. In the left lung, the middle lobe is formed by the first branch of the lateral bronchiole system. The lower lobe is formed by the remaining bronchioles. Thus, the bronchial ramification theory of the mammalian lung applied well to the Japanese monkey lung. The right pulmonary artery runs across the ventral side of the right upper lobe bronchiole. It then runs along the dorso-lateral side of the right bronchus between the dorsal bronchiole system and the lateral bronchiole system. On its way, it gives off branches of the pulmonary artery which run along the dorsal or lateral side of each bronchiole except in the ventral bronchiole system. In the ventral bronchiole system, the branches run along the ventral side of the bronchioles. The distributions of the pulmonary artery in the left lung are the same as those in the right lung. The pulmonary veins do not always run along the bronchioles. Most of them run on the medial or ventral side of the bronchioles. Some of them run between the pulmonary segments. In the right lung, these pulmonary veins finally form the right upper lobe vein, right middle lobe vein and the right lower lobe pulmonary venous trunk before entering the left atrium. However, the right accessory lobe vein runs on the dorsal side of the bronchiole and pours into the right lower lobe pulmonary venous trunk. In four cases out of the five examples, part of the right lower lobe veins pour into the right middle lobe vein, while the others enter the right lower lobe pulmonary venous trunk. In the left lung, the branches of the pulmonary veins finally form the left middle lobe vein and the left lower lobe pulmonary venous trunk.     

Cadaveric study of the arterial anatomy of the upper lip

Arterial distribution of the upper lip was investigated in this study. The location, course, length, and diameter of the superior labial artery and its alar and septal branches were determined on 14 preserved cadaver heads. Another cadaver head was used to show the arterial tree by the colored silicone injection technique. The superior labial artery was the main artery of the upper lip and always originated from the facial artery. The superior labial artery was 45.4 mm in length, with a range from 29 to 85 mm. The mean distance of the origin of the superior labial artery from the labial commissura was 12.1 mm. The superior labial artery was 1.3 mm in external diameter at its origin. The mean distance of origin of the superior labial artery from the lower border of the mandible was 46.4 mm. The alar division of the superior labial artery was mostly found as a single branch (82 percent). Its mean length was 14.8 mm and the mean diameter at the origin was 0.5 mm. The distance between the origins of the superior labial artery and the septal branch was 33.3 mm. The septal branch was single in most of the cases (90 percent). The mean length of the septal branch was 18.0 mm and the diameter at its origin was 0.9 mm. After all dissections, it was concluded that the arterial distribution of the upper lip was not constant. The superior labial artery can occur in different locations unilaterally and bilaterally, with the branches showing variability.     

The lobular division,bronchial tree and blood vessels of the squirrel monkey lung

The lobular division, bronchial tree, and blood vessels in lungs of seven squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were examined from the viewpoint of comparative anatomy. The right lung of the squirrel monkey consists of the upper, middle, lower, and accessory lobes, whereas the left lung consists of the upper, middle, and lower lobes. These lobes are completely separated by interlobular fissures. In three of seven examples examined the left middle lobe was lacking. The squirrel monkey lung has four bronchiole systems, i.e. dorsal, lateral, ventral, and medial, on both sides. The upper lobes are formed by the first branches of the dorsal bronchiole systems. The middle lobes are formed by the first branches of the lateral bronchiole systems. The remaining bronchioles constitute the lower lobes. In addition to the above lobes, in the right lung, the accessory lobe is present, being formed by the first branch of the ventral bronchiole system. The right pulmonary artery runs across the ventral side of the right upper lobe bronchiole, and then across the dorsal side of the right middle lobe bronchiole. Thereafter, it runs between the dorsal bronchiole and lateral bronchiole systems along the dorso-lateral side of the right bronchus. During its course, the right pulmonary artery gives off the arterial branches which run along each bronchiole. These branches run mainly along the dorsal or lateral side of the bronchioles. In the left lung, the pulmonary artery and its branches run the same course as in the right lung. The pulmonary veins run mainly the ventral or medial side of the bronchioles, and between the bronchioles.     

Cysts, masses, and tumors of the accessory parotid gland.

An accessory parotid gland occurs in approximately 21 percent of human subjects. It is located anterior to the main parotid gland, usually just above Stensen's duct and connected by its own duct to the latter. Any lesions that can occur in the main parotid gland can also arise in an accessory parotid gland. For the excision of lesions of the accessory parotid gland, we prefer to turn the same cervicofacial flap used for a lateral or total parotidectomy. This permits one to fully visualize the superficial and deep main parotid segments, the trunk and the branches of the facial nerve, and the accessory parotid gland along with its duct system and Stensen's duct.     

Absence of foramen spinosum and abnormal middle meningeal artery in cranial series

In comparative and evolutionary aspects in humans, the middle meningeal artery enters the cranium through the foramen spinosum, whereas in great apes the middle meningeal artery can enter the cranium through foramen spinosum, through foramen ovale or through petrosphenoid fissure. Generally, in nonhuman primates the anterior meningeal system is associated with the ophthalmic branch of the internal carotid artery. The vessels joining the two systems pass through the additional channels: the superior orbital fissure or through the cranio-orbital foramen. In anatomically modern humans, the absence of foramen spinosum involves abnormal development and course of the middle meningeal artery and it is usually accompanied with replacement of the conventional middle meningeal artery with such, arising from the ophthalmic artery system. In these cases the middle meningeal artery most often enters the middle cranial fossa through the superior orbital fissure and rarely through the meningo-orbital foramen. All skulls, investigated in the present study, belonged to adult individuals of both sexes, conditionally grouped into three cranial series--contemporary male, medieval male, and medieval female series. The absence of foramen spinosum was established only among the medieval male and female series--in 1 (0.70%) male and in 1 (0.72%) female skull on the right side and in 3 (2.13%) female skulls on the left side. In 1 (0.72%) female skull, a small atypically located foramen spinosum was established on the right side. In all of the described cases, the intracranial meningeal grooves started from the lateral edge of the superior orbital fissure and probably reflect the ophthalmic origin of the middle meningeal artery.     

The accessory middle cerebral artery--a variant of the recurrent artery of Heubner (A. centralis longa)?

Three accessory middle cerebral arteries are described in two out of 75 brains dissected under the operating microscope. Each artery originated from the anterior cerebral artery, lateral to its junction with the anterior communicating artery, followed the proximal segment (A1, pars precommunicalis) of the anterior cerebral artery, then the horizontal portion (M1, pars sphenoidalis) of the middle cerebral artery towards the lateral sulcus. Each supplied the lateral orbital gyrus, the gyrus longus of the insula, part of the putamen, the head of the caudate nucleus and the anterior limb of the internal capsule. The presence of the accessory middle cerebral artery is discussed with regard to the recurrent artery of Heubner (A. recurrens, A. centralis longa).     

Abdominal part artery of axillary artery: proposed term for the artery supplying the abdominal part of the musculus pectoralis major.

In 1976, the authors reported that the abdominal part artery (Pab) supplying the abdominal part of the pectoralis major muscle usually originates from the axillary artery (Ax). The findings in the present study show that the type of origin of this artery most frequently encountered is type 2-a (44.0%) in which the Pab, as an independent branch (type a), branches out of the second part of the Ax (type 2). The second and third most frequently encountered types are type 2-b (17.0%), where the Pab has a common trunk with the thoracoacromial artery, and type 2-c (10.0%), where it has a common trunk with the lateral thoracic artery. By classification according to the supplying areas, 67% was type I-B, supplying the lower part of the pectoralis minor muscle and the abdominal part of the muscle. In 5%, the branch as type I-A courses down to the sternocostal part. In most cases (types A and B in 91%), this artery originates from the Ax proximal to the ansa mediana of the brachial plexus; however, in 4% providing the superficial brachial artery, the Pab branches out from the superficial brachial artery. Based on those findings, the authors would propose that the artery be named the arteria partis abdominalis or Pab.     

Comparative anatomical studies of thyroid and thymic arteries: I. Rat (Rattus norvegicus albinus)

The thyroid and thymic arteries were investigated in 50 male and 50 female rats. In more than 70% of the animals, on both sides the cranial thyroid artery forms a common trunk with the ascending pharyngeal artery. The caudal thyroid artery arises not from the deep cervical but from the pericardiacophrenic artery. It may be replaced, however, by a branch of some other artery, such as the brachiocephalic, subclavian, vertebral, or ascending cervical, suggesting a shift of its origin from the internal thoracic artery to the thyrocervical trunk as in man. All the thoracic lobes of the thymus are supplied directly by a thymic branch of the internal thoracic artery or indirectly by a branch of the pericardiacophrenic artery. More than half of the specimens have a cervical thymic lobe of variable size, which is supplied by a branch of the cranial thyroid, external carotid, and/or occipital arteries. Some of these thymic arteries, except those from the external carotid and occipital arteries, reach the thoracic lobe. The thoracic lobes lacking a cervical lobe may be supplied by the thymic branch arising only from the cranial thyroid artery. Other anomalous arteries supplying the thoracic lobe are derived from the superficial cervical and/or the right common carotid arteries. These results show that the thymic arteries of rats are basically similar to those of man, although they display a clear difference in their frequency and origin.     

Differential effects of selective vagotomy and tropisetron in aminoprivic feeding

Both total subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (TVAGX) and serotonin(3) receptor blockade with tropisetron or ondansetron attenuate amino acid-imbalanced diet (Imb) anorexia. Total vagotomy is less effective than tropisetron in reducing Imb-induced anorexia and also blunts the tropisetron effect. With the use of electrocautery at the subdiaphragmatic level of the vagus, we severed the ventral and dorsal trunks as well as the hepatic, ventral gastric, dorsal gastric, celiac, and accessory celiac branches separately or in combination to determine which vagal branches or associated structures may be involved in these responses. Rats were prefed a low-protein diet. On the first experimental day, tropisetron or saline was given intraperitoneally 1 h before presentation of Imb. Cuts including the ventral branch, i.e., TVAGX, ventral vagotomy (above the hepatic branch), and hepatic + gastric vagotomies (but not hepatic branch cuts alone) caused the highest (P < 0.05) Imb intake on day 1 with or without tropisetron. The responses to tropisetron were not affected significantly. On days 2-8, groups having vagotomies that included the hepatic branch recovered faster than sham-treated animals. Because the hepatic and gastric branches together account for most of the vagal innervation to the proximal duodenum, this area may be important in the initial responses, whereas structures served by the hepatic branch alone apparently act in the later adaptation to Imb.     

Branches of the left pulmonary artery vascularizing the left upper pulmonary lobe

The studies were carried out on 100 left lungs taken from dead human bodies of both sexes whose age varied from 16 to 80 years. The pulmonary artery and the bronchus were injected with a 65% solution of duracryl and then digested in sulfuric acid. The specimens obtained were examined to determine the number and dimensions of the branches of the left pulmonary artery penetrating into the upper lobe of the left lung as well as the places at which they branch off from this artery. It was found that in most cases 4 branches ramified from the left pulmonary artery. Their length was 30 mm at the most, and their diameter, 12 mm. In about 50% of the cases the branches which penetrated into the lobe were the apicoanterior trunk, the lingular branch and 1 or 2 subsegmental branches, in about 25% of the cases almost all segmental branches penetrated into the lobe separately. In about 20% of the cases the apicoposterior trunk and independent segmental or subsegmental branches were present. Only in about 5% of the cases did the branches under consideration include the apicoposteroanterior trunk and the remaining segmental and subsegmental branches.     

Anatomical basis for the clinical application of the arterial supply of musculus pectoralis major.

The pattern of arterial supply to the various parts (clavicular, sternocostal and aponeurotic) of the pectoralis major muscle was studied in 7 cadaver dissections and 10 angiograms by injecting a radio-opaque substance. Three main arteries supplied the muscle, i.e. the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk (TAT-PB), the lateral thoracic artery and the perorating branch of the internal thoracic artery, supported by other branches of the TAT and the superior thoracic artery. It is observed that the TAT-PB, a chief vascular pedicle, anastomoses freely with other arteries and supplies most parts of the muscle. The present study is mainly focussed on the exclusion of the chief vascular pedicle of muscle to eliminate the confusion of previous studies and prevent the unnecessary hindrance and complications of the muscle flap.     

Middle ear morphology of Lemur variegatus. Some implications for primate paleontology.

The middle ear morphology of Lemur variegatus, a strepsirhine primate, is described. Although no promontory branch of the internal carotid artery appears, there is a well-developed "promontory canal" containing a nerve trunk. This structure, which is previously undescribed in strepsirhines, is made up of the tympanic nerve and the internal carotid nerve. The implications of this discovery for paleontology, systematics, and future research are discussed.     

Trifurcations of the middle cerebral arteries

The furcation types of 100 human middle cerebral arteries (MCA) were investigated. Considering the physiological flow characteristics in furcations, a distinct definition for a bifurcation and a trifurcation was found. The common ramification type of the human MCA is the bifurcation. Trifurcations are very rare and we found them only in the proximal parts of the MCA. In 7 of the 100 cases, a trifurcation was found at the main division of the MCA, in 3 cases a secondary trunk trifurcated. Quadro- and pentafurcations according to the hydrodynamic definitions were not observed at all. Only in 1 case did the internal carotid artery trifurcate into the anterior cerebral artery, a superior trunk and an inferior trunk of the MCA.     

An anomalous muscle (accessory subscapularis-teres-latissimus muscle) in the axilla penetrating the brachial plexus in man.

An anomalous muscle passing through the brachial plexus was found in 10 cases out of 380 sides of 190 human cadavers in the dissection course. The muscle was designated as 'accessory subscapularis-teres-latissimus muscle'. This muscle arose near the lateral margin of the scapula, either from the surface of the subscapularis muscle or from the border of the quadrangular terminal tendon of the latissimus dorsi or from both of those sources when the muscle was divided into two heads. It ran obliquely upward to fuse with the insertion of the subscapularis. The largest anomaly was 2.5 cm in width and 7 cm in length. This muscle could be classified into three types on the basis of its nerve supply and its relation to the brachial plexus. The type I muscle crossed over the axillary and lower subscapular nerves, behind the radial nerve and was innervated by the lower subscapular nerves. The type II musclepenetrated the brachial plexus separating the radial nerve into two roots; the upper from the posterior division of the upper trunk and the lower from the posterior divisions of the middle and lower trunks. The type II muscle was supplied by a branch of the radial nerve, which originated always at the same level as the origin of the thoracodorsal nerve. The type III muscle passed through the further more ventrocaudal level of the plexus; in one case it divided the radial nerve into an upper root from the posterior divisions of the upper and middle trunks and a lower root from the lower trunk, and, in another case, into an upper main root from all the three trunks and a lower slender root from the lower trunk. The type III muscle was supplied by branches from the radial and in addition from the thoracodorsal nerve in one case. In four out of ten cases, the subscapular or thoracodorsal artery also passed posterior to the anomalous muscle. A discussion was made on the nature of the anomalous muscle.     

One-stage reconstruction for defects of the mouth using a sternomastoid myocutaneous flap.

The sternomastoid muscle has 3 blood supplies: the occipital artery superiorly, the superior thyroid artery in the middle, and the thyrocervical trunk below. We report the use of a myocutaneous flap consisting of a "paddle" of skin on the end of a pedicle of sternomastoid muscle--with the latter based either on its superior or inferior blood supply. Fourteen such flaps have been used successfully in 13 consecutive patients for one-stage reconstructions of defects of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Although there was partial epithelial loss of the skin "paddle" in 7 cases, in each case the surviving dermis became resurfaced with epithelium.     

Lateral line system and its innervation in Tetraodontiformes with outgroup comparisons: Descriptions and phylogenetic implications

The lateral line system and its innervation in ten tetraodontiform families and five outgroup taxa were examined. Although some homology issues remained unresolved, tetraodontiforms were characterized by having two types (at least) of superficial neuromasts (defined by the presence or absence of supporting structures) and accessory lateral lines and neuromasts (except Molidae in which “accessory” elements were absent). The preopercular line in Tetraodontiformes was not homologous with that of typical teleosts, because the line was innervated by the opercular ramule that was newly derived from the mandibular ramus, the condition being identical to that in Lophiidae. Within Tetraodontiformes, the number of neuromasts varied between 70 and 277 in the main lines and between 0 and 52 in accessory elements. Variations were also recognized in the presence or absence of the supraorbital commissure, mandibular line, otic line, postotic line, ventral trunk line, and some lateral line nerve rami, most notably the dorsal branch of the opercular ramule, being absent in Aracanidae, Ostraciidae, Tetraodontidae, Diodontidae, and Molidae. Morphological characteristics derived from the lateral line system and its innervation provided some support for a sister relationship of tetraodontiforms with lophiiforms. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.