Background: Variations in bone are common. Atlas vertebrae are especially subject to variation and are of clinical importance because of its close relation to vertebral artery. Bony spur can arise from the posterior margin for the groove of vertebral artery and form bridges known as ponticles. The bridges can be posterior, lateral or posterolateral. If the bridge is complete it is known as arcuate foramen. These variations can predispose to vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
Study of extensor tendons in forearm, dorsum of hand and their intertendinous connections was conducted in 70 upper limbs (35 right and 35 left) from Govt. Thoothukudi Medical College, Tamilnadu, India. Variations in the extensor tendons of fingers, both proximal and distal to the extensor retinaculum were analyzed. The arrangement of extensor pollicis longus and brevis tendons were traced up to base of proximal phalanx and extensor expansion at the level of proximal as well as base of phalanx, they were found to be single or doubled. Extensor indicis were single tendon in most of the specimens. The extensor digitorum gave off single tendon to the index finger, double tendons to the middle finger and triple tendons to the ring finger. The extensor digiti minimi often had single or double tendon to the little finger distal to extensor retinaculum, in those cases contribution from the extensor digitorum tendon slip to the little finger were absent. Three types of juncturae tendinum were identified between the tendons of extensor digitorum in the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th inter metacarpal spaces of hands. The extensor indicis tendon was always observed to lack juncturae tendinum. Type I juncturae tendinum was seen in the 1 st inter metacarpal space. Type II was seen in the 3 rd intermetacarpal space. Type III was identified in the 4 th intermetacarpal space. Knowledge of these variations may help surgeons while performing tendon repair or transfer. Surgeons should keep in mind about the existence of these variations for better diagnosis and reconstructive procedures.
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