Indian Journal of Anatomy

During a routine dissection of an adult male cadaver for academic purpose two Profunda  Femoris Arteries (PFA) were seen arising from Femoral Artery (FA). Both were following an  expected course. Double PFA is an extremely rare anatomical variation, only a few such cases  are reported.  The two PFA, upper and lower were found to be arising 2 cm and 5 cm from Mid Inguinal Point (MIP) respectively. A thorough knowledge of variations of PFA is of great importance to avoid complications during surgical procedures.  The variations in PFA and its branches are very common and largely associated with one another. The PFA has an important role in collateral blood flow in atherosclerotic occlusive  disease. The common femoral artery is frequently accessed by radiologists and surgeons and is easily  accessible to catheterization. Knowledge of the Anatomy and variations in PFA is very important for surgeons to avoid any iatrogenic injury to the patient. 

The muscular abnormality in the flexor compartment of forearm is less common compared   to that of extensor compartment. The anatomical variations and abnormalities of muscles of the  forearm and hand have become significant because of new imaging techniques. An unusual  and complete additional flexor digitorum profundus muscle to index finger was found bilaterally during routine dissection of a 61 year old male cadaver. Length of additional muscle  was approximately 15 cm with spindle shaped belly and long tendon (belly length 5cm, tendon 10 cm. width of belly was 1cm). In provisions of Clinical and functional significance; the knowledge of abnormalities of  muscles and their tendons are important to the clinician in appropriate detection of etiology for symptoms and management of the patient. Acknowledgment of such variations could be useful for the clinicians, hand surgeons and plastic surgeons.  

Context: Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is well known congenital anomaly of the upper urinary   tract. It is occurring in approximately 0.25% of the general populations and two to three times more frequently in men than in women. Isolated HSK can be isolated, remain undiagnosed until adulthood. Aims: The present study reports gross and histological findings of horseshoe kidney detected during autopsy. Settings and Design: All clinical autopsies which were carried out during 2017 to 2022 at Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, India and during gross examination and dissection of kidney specimen were carried out. Methods and Material: Amongst 2524 clinical autopsies which were carried out during 6 years  of period 2017 to 2022 at Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, India gross examination  and dissection, was performed and renal anomaly was noticed. Statistical analysis used: No.  Results: During period of six years study, we noticed a total 3 cases of horseshoe kidneys. On gross examination the lower poles of kidneys were fused to form the isthmus in all 3 cases. On   histological examination, in all above cases kidneys showed global glomerulosclerosis, cloudy change in tubules, areas of subcapsular fibrosis with lymphocytic infiltration. Conclusions: Horseshoe kidney is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the upper  rinary tract. Many times it may function normally and  remain unnoticed/ asymptomatic till adulthood causing no harm. An isolated finding of a horseshoe kidney is generally considered benign. Such cases incidentally come to notice due to other medical or surgical scenarios or at the autopsies. 

Anomalies of the cervical vertebrae affect their function. Fusion of vertebrae is one such   anomaly in which the two vertebrae appear structurally and functionally as single one. This  study, aimed to find the incidence of the fusion of the cervical vertebrae, examined 200 dry adult cervical vertebrae of either sex in the Department of Anatomy, NRI Medical College, Andhra Pradesh, India. The clinical significance of this study has been thus discussed.

ackground and Aims: The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It originates from    the Sacral plexus. The nerve exits the pelvis by passing through the greater sciatic foramen,  usually below the piriformis muscle. Its terminal division into Common Peroneal nerve and  Tibial nerve may however occur at different levels. The purpose of this study is to identify variation of bifurcation of Sciatic nerve and its relation to piriformis muscle which may lead to various clinical manifestations.Material and Methods: Ten formalin fixed cadavers, comprising of twenty lower lim bs and ten specimens of lower limbs with intact gluteal and thigh regions were used for this study.  Gluteal region and posterior compartment of the thigh were dissected. The sciatic nerve was exposed and bifurcation level of sciatic nerve and its relations were noted and photographed. Results: In 53.33% cases sciatic nerve divided near upper angle of popliteal fossa. 26.66%  showed sciatic nerve division in middle of posterior thigh, while division of the sciatic nerve  at upper one third of posterior thigh was seen in 13.33%. Only in 6.66% the common peronealnerve passed through piriformis muscle and the tibial nerve passed below the piriformis muscle. Conclusion: The anatomical variations of sciatic nerve can lead to piriformissyndrome, coccydynia, sciatica and muscle atrophy. A good knowledge about these variations are  necessary for surgeons and clinicians to avoid surgical complications, prevent failure of sciatic block and prevent sciatic nerve injury during deep intramuscular injections.