International Journal of Cadaveric Studies and Anatomical Variations

Variant Inferior Vena Cava Associated with Combined Variation of Renal and Testicular Arteries: A Case Report and Clinical Implications

George J Lufukuja, Flora M Fabian, Michael Kilimba — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This case report details multiple vascular anomalies discovered during routine abdominal dissection, including duplication of the inferior vena cava (IVC), the right testicular artery (RTA) originating from an accessory right renal artery, and unusual drainage of the right testicular vein into the right part of the double IVC. Currently, computed tomography and angiography are instrumental in diagnosing IVC duplication, highlighting its clinical significance with increased risks of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Understanding these variations from an embryological perspective is crucial for managing clinical cases and planning surgical interventions involving the posterior abdominal wall. This case study explores the embryological origins of these vascular anomalies. It discusses their potential clinical implications, emphasizing the importance of accurate imaging techniques and comprehensive anatomical knowledge in clinical practice.

Early Development of the Human Face

Abdelmonem Awad Mustafa Hegazy — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0600

The face is the viscerocranium that, together with the neurocranium, forms the skull. Its developmental anatomy is a complex process and must be easily understood so that surgeons and public health practitioners can recognize and manage it properly with ease. In this short article, we aim to review facial development in a simple way that can be easily followed by medical and health professionals. Facial development begins early in the fetus's life in the womb with the appearance of 5 mesodermal ridges (processes) surrounding the stomodeum. These processes include a frontonasal process, two maxillary processes, and two mandibular processes. These processes fuse together to form the cheek on each side and leave an opening for the mouth. Any error in fusion can lead to various congenital facial deformities which must be treated as soon as possible.

Diagnostic Challenges in Donor Studies: A Case of Buried Penis Secondary to Giant Inguinoscrotal Hernia and Scrotal Lymphedema

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Buried or hidden penis, also known as buried or hidden penis syndrome, is a condition where the penis is normal in size, but concealed beneath the abdomen, thigh, or scrotum. Seen in children due to congenital abnormalities, post-circumcision scarring, or obesity, buried penis in adults is less well-defined and often linked to obesity, prior surgical history, or lymphedema. Diagnosis is primarily clinical and relies heavily on detailed patient history and thorough physical examination, which is unattainable when studying a donor.

We report a case of an 86-year-old male donor whose penis was not externally visible as it was buried inside dilated scrotal sac secondary to lymphedema in the setting of a giant indirect inguinoscrotal hernia. Given our findings, we hypothesize that tension created by the hernia pulling on the skin, as demonstrated by scrotal sac dilation combined with subsequent/concurrent lymphedema, likely contributed to what appeared to be a buried penis. However, the lack of accessible information on this cadaver, including a detailed past medical and surgical history, limits the certainty of a buried penis diagnosis in this context.

This case is unique in exploring the possible relationship between a giant inguinoscrotal hernia and a buried penis but without the detailed patient history typically required for a definitive buried penis diagnosis. Our findings highlight the limitations of diagnosing a buried penis in donor studies and suggest that anatomical changes other than the previously well-defined historical criteria should be considered as likely contributors to adult-acquired buried penis.

Are the Bones of the Cranial Vault in Newborns Connected to Each Other by Sutures?

Abdelmonem Awad Mustafa Hegazy, Mohammad Abdelmonem Hegazy — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

The skull of a newborn differs from the skull of an adult in many aspects, including the shape of the sutures and the presence of fontanelles. The sutures in an adult's skull that connect adjacent bones are fixed fibrous joints “synarthroses”. The edges of the bones are serrated like sutures. On the other hand, in newborns these joints are flexible and slightly mobile with wide gaps where more than two bones meet. These gaps are called fontanelles, and they close later as the baby grows. Fontanelles are of great clinical importance in monitoring normal growth and checking for diseases that may affect children. Although the joints of the cranial bones are quite different in newborns than in adults, some authors call them sutures in both cases. This may be inaccurate, and a distinction must be made between the terms in both cases, which may express quite different structures. Therefore, we suggest calling them fibrous joints with an interosseous membrane rather than sutures in newborns.

We are “Body Donors” NOT cadavers

Geoffrey David Guttmann — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

On September 16, 2024, NBC National news reported on the usage of unclaimed bodies by the University of North Texas Health Science (UNTHSC) Center for Anatomical Sciences in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ladd’s Bands in Adults: A Cadaveric Report and Series of Delayed Diagnosis and Long-term Symptoms

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Intestinal malrotation resulting in Ladd’s bands are congenital anomalies where the intestines fail to rotate properly during normal embryological development. These are usually discovered in early childhood and are mostly seen in pediatric populations. Corrective surgery is termed Ladd’s procedure and involves removal of abnormal tissue bands and intestinal re-positioning. Ladd’s bands in adults are rare and often have variable clinical presentation ranging from asymptomatic to intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting from months to years, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Here we present a case of an incidental finding of Ladd’s bands in a 77-year-old male cadaver during a routine dissection as well as a literature review of 15 case studies on adults with Ladd’s bands. Although it is a rare pathology, Ladd’s bands should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with common gastrointestinal symptoms. The frequently delayed diagnosis of this condition may result in unnecessary treatments and prolonged discomfort for patients. Further research is needed to understand better the incidence, diagnostic criteria, and optimal management strategies for Ladd’s bands in adults, which remain an under-recognized cause of chronic abdominal complaints.