Morphometry of the Uncinate Process, Vertebral Body, and Lamina of the C3–7 Vertebrae Relevant to Cervical Spine Surgery

Veeramani Raveendranath,Thangarasu Kavitha,Amirthalingam Umamageswari 대한척추신경외과학회 2019 Neurospine Vol.16 No.4

Objective: The cervical spine consists of 4 typical and 3 atypical vertebrae. The uncinate process is one of the unique features of the cervical vertebrae. Uncinectomy and uncoforaminotomy are widely used to decompress the nerve in the intervertebral foramen and to remove osteophytes from the uncinate process. Morphometric analyses of the uncinate process help spine surgeons obtain a 3-dimensional orientation for approaching the cervical spine with minimal risk to the surrounding vascular and neural structures. This study aims to analyze the morphometry of uncinate process of cervical vertebrae with relevant to cervical spine surgery. Methods: Eighty dry adult cervical vertebrae were studied, and 11 parameters were measured. Seven parameters were paired and 4 were unpaired. Results: The height of the uncinate process progressively increased from C3 to C6 and decreased at C7. The length of the uncinate process increased from C3 to C6–7. The width was greatest at C6 and smallest at C3. The vertebral body width and anteroposterior diameter gradually increased from C3 to C7. The parameters of the lamina also increased from C3 to C7. Conclusion: Precise knowledge about the cervical vertebrae is useful for diagnosing both common and uncommon causes of symptoms and for choosing an appropriate approach. Thus, it helps to increase the success rate of cervical surgery.

Morphometric study of tensor of vastus intermedius in South Indian population

Raveendranath Veeramani,Dhivyalakshmi Gnanasekaran 대한해부학회 2017 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.50 No.1

Tensor of vastus intermedius is a newly discovered muscle located between vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius. The purpose of this study was to investigate the detailed morphology of tensor of vastus intermedius, specifically to provide data pertaining to the attachments, innervations, variation in the types and its morphometry in South Indian population. The tensor of vastus intermedius was studied in thirty six cadaveric lower limbs using macrodissection techniques. The origin of the muscle was from upper part of intertrochanteric line and anterior part of greater trochanter of femur inserted to medial aspect of upper border of patella. The muscle was classified into four types based on the origin and also the aponeurosis course with independent type (type 1) being common. The mean and standard deviation of the length of tensor of vastus intermedius and aponeurosis were 145.40±37.55 mm and 193.55±42.32 mm, respectively. The results of the study suggest that tensor of vastus intermedius is variable and the information provided regarding the attachments, types and quantitative data will contribute to the existing knowledge of the muscle.

Morphometric evaluation of great vein of Galen and its clinical implications

Grace Suganya. S(Grace Suganya. S ),Ariharan. K(Ariharan. K ),Raveendranath Veeramani(Raveendranath Veeramani ),Dinesh Kumar. V(Dinesh Kumar. V ),Nagarajan Krishnan(Nagarajan Krishnan ) 대한해부학회 2023 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.56 No.1

The Galenic venous system plays a vital role in the drainage of blood from deeper parts of the brain. This venous system is contributed by many major veins. These veins are located closer to the pineal gland making the surgical approach in this region difficult. Any accidental injury or occlusion of the vein of Galen could lead to devasting results. Thus, studying the dimensions of the vein of Galen is more important. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the morphometry and trajectory to the vein of Galen. About 100 computed tomographic venography records were evaluated and the length, diameter of vein of Galen, angle between straight sinus and vein of Galen and distance from internal occipital protuberance and roof of fourth ventricle to vein of Galen were studied. The mean length and diameter of vein of Galen were 9.8±2.7 and 4.08±1.04 respectively. The mean angle between straight sinus and vein of Galen was 64.2°. The mean distance between external occipital protuberance and roof of fourth ventricle to vein of Galen were 52±6.9 and 33.3±4.5 respectively. No significant morphometric differences were observed between the age groups as well as between the sexs. The results obtained from this study may be helpful for the neurosurgeons in better understanding of the anatomy of the Galenic venous system and to adopt a safe surgical approach to improve the efficacy of the surgeries of the pineal gland and also in the region of vein of Galen.

Reappraisal of arterial anatomy of thumb

Dhivyalakshmi Gnanasekaran,Raveendranath Veeramani,Aravindhan Karuppusamy 대한해부학회 2022 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.55 No.4

The nomenclature of arteries supplying the thumb and its sources arteries differs between the studies. This makes difficulty in understanding the irrigation pattern to the thumb. The main purpose of this study was to identify the proper digital arteries supplying the thumb on its radial and ulnar side from both the palmar and dorsal aspect. Also this study aimed to trace its source and classify with proper definition with the review of blood supply to thumb. Dissection was carried out in 55 hands form 28 freshly embalmed adult human cadavers of both genders. The proper digital arteries to the thumb and its source arteries were carefully traced and defined. Thumb receives its dominant blood supply mostly from its palmar side. The ulnar palmar digital artery was seen in all the dissected hand (100.0%) whereas; the radial palmar digital artery was present in 53 hands (96.4%). The radial dorsal digital artery and ulnar dorsal digital artery were observed in only 10.0% and 7.3%. The most common source of both the palmar digital arteries to thumb was from first palmar metacarpal artery (FPMA). In majority of the hands, in addition to the radial or ulnar palmar digital arteries from the FPMA, there were also additional palmar digital arteries arising from the superficial palmar arterial system. The universal naming of the proper digital arteries to the thumb as well as its source arteries is mandatory for the proper understanding of normal as well as variant arterial anatomy of thumb.

Morphometric study of pulleys of the thumb

Dhivyalakshmi Gnanasekaran,Raveendranath Veeramani,Aravindhan Karuppusamy 대한해부학회 2018 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.51 No.2

Pulleys are thickened regions in flexor tendons sheaths of the digits. They are essential and act as fulcrum for the flexion and extension of the digits. The arrangement and number of pulley system differs greatly between the thumb and other digits. There is paucity of literature regarding the pulley system of thumb. We aimed to study the morphometry of the pulley system of the thumb in Indian cadavers. Dissection was carried out in 55 adult human cadaveric thumbs. The most common morphologic pattern of pulley observed in the thumb is type III (30 thumbs). The least observed is type I (4 thumbs). The mean width and standard deviation of A1, Av, oblique, and A2 pulleys are 5.06±0.87, 5.38±1.22, 4.68±1.13, and 6.04±1.41 mm, respectively. The gap distances between the pulleys were also measured. The results obtained from the present study may be helpful in surgical treatment of trigger thumb with less complication and also in reconstruction of the closed rupture of the pulley of the thumb.

Perception of MBBS students to “flipped class room” approach in neuroanatomy module

Parkash Chand,Venkatesh S. Madhugiri,Raveendranath Veeramani 대한해부학회 2015 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.48 No.2

A flipped classroom is a learner centered approach in which the learner is responsible to attend the class with basic understanding of the subject to fully participate and engage in discussions. The aim of this study was to evaluate students’ perception of flipped classroom approach for neuroanatomy module and assess the impact on their performance and attitudes. The subject chosen to evaluate the flipped classroom model for first year medical students was clinical neuroanatomy. One hundred and thirty first year medical students participated in the study module. Students were divided into five groups and five case scenarios pertaining to various clinically relevant regions of the neuraxis, with varying anatomical complexity were generated. The pre- and post-tests were designed to specifically test the declared learning objectives of the session. The perception of the students regarding this model of teaching and learning was also evaluated. Eighty-six percent of students felt that the flipped classroom approach was better at fulfilling the stated learning objectives than the conventional didactic teaching, 92% felt that the work-sheet with questions provided prior to the class enabled a better understanding of the subject and 87% were of the opinion that the web sources with references kindled a greater interest to read as compared with didactic lectures. The paired t test showed highly significant differences between the pre and post-test scores. Student response to the flipped classroom structure was largely positive, indicating it to be an approach worth pursuing in future years.