Abs1~'actPurpose: To study the use of colour Doppler imaging (CDI) for the measurement of maximum and mean tendon velocity. Recent studies showed that CDI, normally used for blood flow examinations, can be used for the imaging of tendons at the hand and wrist l'Cgion. Although other modalities are available for imaging of the musculo-skeletal system, in vivo measurements of the velocity of tendon excursion are not possible. Methods: The flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon of 16 healthy volunteers was measured bilaterally at two levels (wrist and thenar). A splint from the fingers along the proximal lower arm was applied. The thumb was fixed to the splint from the first phalanx to allow flexion of the interphalangeal (IP) joint only. Pulsed CDI was used for the measurements. The maximum and mean velocities of the FPL tendon were measured at spectrum display mode during continuous voluntary contractions. At least 10 sequential Doppler peaks (era/s) were recorded at every trial. The measurements were repeated three times. Paired t-test and correlation coefficients were calculated between levels on the same side and the opposite side. Results: No significant differences were found between two levels of the same hand and of the opposite hand. As expected, the data revealed variations in the inter-individual tendon velocities. Conclusions: The velocity of the excursion of the FPL tendon can be measured with CDI with good reproducibility. It is expected that velocity measurements can be used in the future for the assessment of other tendons affected by various disorders.

The musculus extensor digiti medii proprius and musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus are anomalous extensor muscles of the hand. During the routine dissection of a white male cadaver a musculus extensor digiti medii proprius was seen on both hands and a musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus was seen on the left hand. The extensor medii proprius has a belly originating from the distal third of the ulna near the extensor indicis proprius and its tendon is inserted into the dorsal aponeurosis of the middle finger on both hands. On the left hand there was another anomalous muscle (musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus) which originated from the distal end of the radius, carpal ligaments and carpal joint capsule and inserted on the tendon of the extensor digiti medii proprius. This case is a multivariation of the hand extensor muscles and a musculus extensor digitorum brevis manus inserting on the musculus extensor digiti medii proprius has not been reported previously.

During the routine dissection of an 86-year-old Caucasian male cadaver, an accessory inferior thyroid artery originating from the left suprascapular artery was detected. In addition to the existence of inferior and superior thyroid arteries, a third thyroid artery arising from the left suprascapular artery was present at the left of these arteries; this artery was determined as the accessory inferior thyroid artery. Again, the left internal thoracic artery arose from the thyrocervical trunk. The internal thoracic artery originated near the thyrocervical trunk's origin point and descended vertically. The thyrocervical trunk ended near the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle after giving rise to the inferior thyroid, transverse cervical and suprascapular arteries.

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