Indian Journal of Anatomy

Thyroid gland is the first endocrine gland to start developing in the embryo. The gland is well known for its developmental anomalies ranging from common and frequently seen to rare ones.
1.    The common anomalies include:
    a)    Persistence of a pyramidal lobe with or without the fibrous cord
    b)    Thyroglossal duct cyst
2.     The uncommon anomalies are:
    (a)     Failure of median lobe (isthmus) to fuse in the midline
    (b)     Absence of a part of the lateral lobe
    (c)     Ectopic thyroid
3.     Thyroid hemi agenesis with or without isthmus is a rare anomaly.

 An uncommon and clinically important developmental anomaly of the thyroid gland showing absent median lobe (isthmus) resulting in two separate lateral lobes, resembling two hockey sticks, is reported and discussed.

Most of the leiomyomas are situated in the body of the uterus, but in 1-2% of the cases, they are confined to cervix and usually to the supra-vaginal portion. A cervical leiomyoma is commonly single and is either interstitial or sub-serous. Rarely it becomes sub-mucous and polypoidal. A case of cervical leiomyoma admitted with pressure symptoms is being presented. Cervical fibroid of size 15 X 8 cm was arising from the posterior lip of cervix, was sub-mucous, sessile with a normal size uterus and bilateral ovaries. Total abdominal hysterectomy was done and both ovaries were left intact considering young age of patient.

Keywords: Cervical fibroid; Pressure symptoms; Abdominal hysterectomy.

The present case report shows the variation of the radial artery in its origin and superficial course, during routine dissection in the Dept. of Anatomy of Indira Gandhi Govt. Medical College Nagpur. A higher bifurcation of 3rd part of Axillary artery into radial artery and brachioulnarartery is being reported in right and left side of upper limb of a female cadaver. This radial artery is superficial through out in its course. It is continued as radial artery and another artery remain as main trunk of brachioulnarartery & descend down wards in forearm as ulnar artery. Incidence of this type of vascular pattern can be a result of developmental anomaly during the formation of blood vessels of the upper limb. This variation has diagnostic, interventional and surgical significance.

Keywords: Abnormal radial artery; Axillary artery variation; Superficial brachioradial artery.

Sural nerve normally receives contributions from tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve. In the routine cadaveric educational dissection, sural nerve was seen to be arising from the common peroneal nerve instead of the tibial nerve on both sides. It was arising directly from the common peroneal nerve about 6 cm below the division of the sciatic nerve on right side and 8 cm below the division on left side. But in its rest of the course, it showed a normal branching pattern.

Keywords: Anomaly; Sural nerve; Common Peroneal nerve.

Context: To study morphological Anatomy of splenic artery and its clinical implications. Aims: The present study reports; origin, course, distance of division from the hilum of spleen and branching pattern of splenic artery. Setting and design: Department of Anatomy MGM medical college, navimumbai. Material and method: The measurements were taken on 50 donated embalmed cadavers. The findings were noted after meticulous dissection. Results: The origin of splenic artery is from splenic artery in all cases. In relation to pancreas the splenic artery had suprapancreatic course in 74%followed by anteropancreatic in 18%, intrapancreatic in 6% and retropancreatic in 2%.In two cadavers the stem of the artery divided into two or three branches which has either suprapancreatic or anteropancreatic course. The splenic trunk divided into two primary branches in 84% and three primary branches 16%.Superior polar artery was present in 28%, inferior polar artery was present in 42%and in 12% both superior and inferior polar arteries were seen. The mean distance of the point of division of splenic artery from the hilum was 4.308 cm and minimum was 3.1 cm. It is found that primary branches and polar branches of splenic artery divide the spleen into segments. In our study the segmental branches were 2 in 84% and 3 in 16%. Conclusion: Knowledge of splenic arteryhas the clinical significance in planning and conducting procedures such as partial or total splenectomy, splenic embolisation, splenography and surgical and radiological procedures of upper abdominal region to avoid any complications.

Keywords: Splenic artery; Branching pattern; Hilum; Course; Splenectomy.

Introduction: The opening present at the lower end of sacral canal is known as sacral hiatus. The anatomy of sacral hiatus and its variations are clinically important during administration of Caudal Epidural Block (CEB) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OBGY), Orthopedic, Urology and General surgery practices. The success and reliability of CEB depends upon the sound knowledge of anatomical variations of sacral hiatus. Thus the present study was undertaken to find the variations in dry human sacra of Maharashtra region. Aim: To study the morphometry and variations of sacral hiatus. Methods: 138 adult, grossly normal dry human sacra of Maharashtrian origin were collected from anatomy department of various medical colleges in Maharashtra. Results: Inverted U was the most common observed shape. The most common site of apex and base was observed at S4 i.e. at fourth sacral spine and at the level of S5 i.e. at fifth sacral spine respectively. The length/Height of sacral hiatus most commonly ranged between 11-20 mm (42%). The width of sacral hiatus most commonly ranged between 11-15 mm (53.6%). The Anteroposterior (A-P) Diameter of sacral hiatus most commonly ranged between 3-6 mm (70.3%). Conclusion: The knowledge of variations in the shape, level and measurements of sacral hiatus will help in the effective and successful caudal epidural block (CEB) practices which are commonly used in various surgical practices.

Keywords: Morphometry; Sacral hiatus; Caudal epidural block.

Introduction: Among all the congenital anomalies, disorders of the CNS are the most severe, difficult to understand its etiology, and predict its clinical presentation and course. 75% of fetal deaths and 40% of deaths within the first year of life are secondary to CNS malformations. Aims & Objectives: To study the incidence, pattern and outcome of CNS anomalies in newborns. To established the possible etiological factors and relationship of various antenatal factors. Materials & Methods: All babies were examined within 24hrs of birth & followed up to 72hrs, any anomaly detected confirmed by required investigations. Study Period and design: January 2012 to June 2013. Cross-sectional study (prevalence study). Statistical analysis: Analyzed by simple statistical techniques and tests of significance including Chi-square tests were applied. Results: There were total of 10294 newborn of which CNS malformations were 151 patients with 188 anomalies(1.46%). Most frequent CNS malformations was anencephaly 55/188 (29.25%) followed by Hydrocephalus 51/188 (27.13%), spina bifida (19.15%), Meningocele/meningomyelocele (12.77%), encephalocele (3.19%), agenesis of corpus callosum (3.72%). Male were most commonly involved than female (84% v/s 67%). 107/151 (70%) mother did not have preconceptional and antenatal folic acid supplementation. 15/151 (30%) mother had antenatal history of anaemia.  Incidence was more in maternal age > 30 years and multiparity. Incidence of congenital anomalies was more in preterm (41.8/1000) as compared to full term (10/ 1000). 50 newborns (33.11%) expired within few hrs. Conclusion: Maternal age and parity are important risk factor andpreterm and low birth weight babies are at high risk of CNS Malformations.

Keywords: Congenital central nervous system; Malformations; Newborn; Prevention; Prenatal diagnosis.

Introduction: Oral cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the world. Oral habits like smoking, chewing tobacco, gutkha, etc. are documented as initiators of dysplastic changes in the oral mucosa. Aims: To study the buccal mucosa of smokers by exfoliative cytology and to assess the cytological and nuclear changes therein. Objectives: To study the buccal mucosa of smokers for early detection of precancerous lesions of oral cancer thus helping in better treatment and prognosis. Materials & Methods: The study included examination of buccal mucosa followed by scrapping and making smears thereof. The study sample consisted of 100 smokers and 100 controls. The buccal smears thus prepared were stained by Papanicolaous method. The nuclear changes like micronucleation, binucleation, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, pyknosis and condensed chromatin were observed using binocular microscope. Results: A significant increase in micronucleation and binucleation of cells was observed in smokers. Conclusion: We conclude that tobacco smoking produces cellular alterations in the buccal mucosa. These precancerous lesions can be picked up using exfoliative cytology as early as 10-15 years prior to their malignant transformation. Exfoliative cytology is a non-invasive method which can be used for mass screening of the population for early detection of precancerous lesions of the buccal mucosa.

Keywords: Buccal mucosa; Exfoliative cytology; Smoking; Tobacco; Micronuclei.