Indian Journal of Anatomy

The Gastrocnemius muscle is a fusiform, two headed, two joint muscle. The two heads of origin are lateral and medial head taking origin from medial and lateral condyles of femur respectively. In between the two heads tibial nerve passes. Inferiorly it forms a common tendon with the Soleus and Plataris muscles; this tendon is known as the Tendocalcaneus or Achilles tendon which get inserted to posterior surface of Calcaneum. The case was reported during routine dissection for undergraduate B.A.M.S. students at National Institute of Ayurveda Deemed University, Jaipur. The subject was 36-year-old male cadaver of North Indian origin. The accessory head was observed during the cadaveric dissection of the popliteal fossa.

The Gastrocnemius muscle was bulky. The inferolateral and inferomedial boundary of the Popliteal fossa were made by medial and lateral head of Gastrocnemius. In addition to the normal medial and lateral head an accessory head of Gastrocnemius was seen bilaterally. The accessory head (Gastrocnemius tertius ) having two bellies, superficial and deep were observed in the both lower extremity. The superficial belly of the Gastrocnemius tertius muscle had its origin from an area just above the tendon of the plantaris muscle, the deep belly from the tendon of the plantaris muscle and inserted to the lateral head of the Gastrocnemius muscle. All the heads were innervated by branches from tibial nerve. It is possible that this variant muscle could have a compressive effect on the tibial nerve and popliteal vessels, and the awareness of this may prevent its misinterpretation as a pathological structure by radiologists and surgeons.

Maxillofacial injuries are commonly encountered in the practice of emergency medicine. Trauma to the maxillofacial region mandates special attention. Maxillofacial trauma is any physical trauma to the facial region, commonly encountered by maxillofacial surgeons, and is often associated with high morbidity. Maxillofacial injuries can occur as an isolated injury or may be associated with multiple injuries in other parts of the body. This review article elaborates on maxillofacial trauma.

Objective: Eclampsia frequently complicates pregnancy, which in turn affects the placenta's macroarchitecture and functions as well as the prenatal health of both the mother and the unborn child. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the morphological changes in the placenta among eclamptic and normotensive pregnant mothers.

Methods: A Case control study was performed. Detailed clinical history was taken and placenta were collected from both 33 eclamptic and 33 normotensive mothers delivered in the labour room or operation theatre. Gross morphological analysis was performed. Results were noted and statistically analysed.

Results: The average weight, diameter, placental thickness and number of cotyledons were 427.88±65.88 grams, 15.79±1.56 centimetre, 1.87±0.50 centimetre and 11.97±2.73 in patients of eclampsia and 502.57±64.12 grams, 16.77±1.64 centimetre, 2.15±0.35 centimetre and 16.64±3.21 in normotensive patients respectively. The average weight, diameter, placental thickness, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, number of cotyledons and presence of retroplacental hematoma in cases versus controls was found to be statistically significant. The variation in shape of placenta and umbilical cord insertion was statistically insignificant.

Conclusion: Effects of eclampsia in pregnancy are reflected in gross findings of placenta, which may contribute to the further management of mother and baby.