Myocutaneous free-flap transfer. Anatomical and experimental considerations.

If there is a strongly dominant vascular pedicle, a muscle may be suitable for transfer as a free myocutaneous flap. The minor vascular pedicle(s) may contribute significantly to the arterial blood flow to the overlying skin, however. The concept of doing a delay procedure (ligating the dominant pedicle) to increase the survival of the skin component of a free myocutaneous flap is explored.     

Dentate control pathways of cortical motor activity. Anatomical and physiological studies in rat: comparative considerations

The dentato-thalamocortical projections have been studied in albino rats using anatomical and physiological approaches. The anatomical analysis reveals that the dentatothalamic input to the ventral thalamus and the thalamocortical projection from this region onto the motor cortical area have a complex topographical arrangement. The corticothalamic reverberating pathways, both direct and through a relay in the nucleus reticularis thalami, are also roughly arranged in register with the same topographical pattern. This arrangement has been reconciled with that of the motor cortex, as determined by the motor effects of intracortical microstimulations. From this is inferred a somatotopical arrangement of the cerebellar nucleus lateralis, or dentate. These observations are confirmed by the results of our physiological analysis. The movements obtained with direct microstimulations of the nucleus lateralis affect either one joint (simple movements) or, more seldom, several joints (complex movements) of the same limb. A rough rostrocaudal arrangement is found in the nucleus lateralis: the caudocentral regions of the nucleus contain the representation of the musculature of forelimb and head, whereas the hindlimb is represented in the rostralmost part of the nucleus. A more complex organization is found to be related to the three cytoarchitectonic subdivisions of the nucleus lateralis. The main, large-celled part of the nucleus is engaged in the control of the large skeletal musculature. The dorsolateral hump is involved in mouth and peri-oral activities. The ventral, parvocellular, subnucleus is involved in fine exploratory movements of vibrissae, eyes, and forelimb wrist and fingers. The implication of the dentato-thalamocortical pathways in the cortical motor activities in the rat is discussed with attention to the dentate control of the "voluntary" motricity in primates.     

Anatomical considerations related to photosynthesis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaves, bracts, and the capsule wall

Light and electron microscopy was used to relate histologicaland ultrastructural differences of cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) leaves, bracts, and capsule walls to their different photosyntheticactivities. Light microscopy revealed that the leaf thicknesswas approximately 152µm, had a well-defined internal organizationwith elongated palisade mesophyll cells and loosely packed spongymesophyll cells. In contrast, the bract was thinner (111 µm),lacked a defined palisade layer, and was largely composed ofinternal air spaces. The capsule wall was very thick (1013µm)and composed of numerous tightly packed, paren-chymatous corticalcells with little or no intercellular air space. Chloroplastswith well-defined granal stacks and extensive stroma lamellaewere observed in each of these three tissues, however, theirdensity was always greater in the palisade cells of the leafcompared to spongy mesophyll cells of the bract and the parenchymatouscells of the capsule wall. The low rates of photosynthesis inthe bracts and the capsule wall were associated with the internalorganization of these tissues. Key words: Cotton, photosynthesis, anatomy, cuticle, tissues     

Thoracic sympathetic trunk compression by osteophytes associated with arthritis of the costovertebral joint. Anatomical and clinical considerations

Hyperostosis (lipping) due to costovertebral arthritis was found frequently (84.3%) impinging on the sympathetic trunks (ganglia and cord), rami communicantes and roots of the splanchnic nerves on both sides of the spine in more than 1,000 dissecting room cadavers examined and 34 cadavers of adult and elderly people specially dissected. As a result of the compression, the affected sympathetic structures were angulated, deflected from their course, enlarged and often infiltrated with connective tissue. The possible symptoms which may result from this kind of compression are discussed.     

Pathology of sternal deformity in the Sprague-Dawley rat

Pathological examination of two 12-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats revealed bending of the sternebrae. Grossly, the sternebrae distal to the third sternebra were bent towards the underside, and the episternal extremity was turned towards the head. Microscopically, the 4th sternebra was observed to have slipped behind the third sternebra, and fractures of the episternal cortex and slanting of the episternal cartilage were also observed.