SUMMARY:Disturbance in the organogenesis of tongue might lead to some malformations like tongue tie, bifid tongue and hairy tongue. Severe degrees of these anomalies may cause speech impairment or periodontal defects. The present study was done on patients of the southern coastal belt of India during the past two years, on gross tongue anomalies. The results of the present study reveal that occurrence of tongue tie is 0.2% and bifid tongue is 0.3% in the southern coastal population. Since great majority of these oral anomalies have genetic basis the purpose of the present report is to highlight that these anomalies can exist without any familial background and also to suggest that environmental factor may play a role in the etiogenesis of these anomalies.

The knowledge of normal and variant anatomy of the facial nerve is essential for safe surgery of the parotid gland. The location of a parotid mass in relation to the course of the facial nerve determines whether superficial or total parotidectomies should be performed. The variant course of the facial nerve within the parotid may endanger the nerve during parotid surgeries. The present report is an attempt to help the surgeons to minimize the error that can damage the nerve without previous knowledge of such type of rare variation.

Background: With the increasing life expectancy, the population around the world is growing old at a higher rate. Ensuring their quality of life and addressing their health care needs is a major challenge ahead. Elderly women are more vulnerable and there is a dearth for information regarding their health problems in India. Therefore, this study was undertaken focusing on the health problems of rural elderly women. The objective of the study was to assess the morbidity pattern of rural elderly women.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of Shri B M Patil Medical College, Vijayapura from November 2015 to February 2016. A house-to-house survey was done and 200 women aged ≥60 years were included in the study. They were interviewed using pretested and predesigned questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. Information regarding demographic profile, present or past illness, economic history and physical activity of daily living were collected. Analysis was done using SPSS v.16 and data was represented using proportions and percentages.Results: Majority of the participants were illiterate (96.4%). Most (83.6%) of them were financially dependent. Most common chronic illness was arthritis (73.3%) and visual problem (58.8%).Conclusions: Our study reveals majority of the elderly women are suffering from one or multiple chronic illnesses. As a matter of fact, there is an urgent need to develop better health care services for the elderly women residing in rural areas.

Background: Spirituality has been integral part of medicine and health since ancient age. The extent of spiritual component in medical practice in India is largely unknown. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the extent of knowledge (awareness), attitude and practice among medical professionals regarding the role of spirituality in management of health. Objectives of the study were to study the knowledge, attitude and practices of spirituality in medical practice amongst medical professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shri B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapura from November 2015 to December 2015. 150 doctors of all specialties were interviewed using a selfreported multiple choice questionnaire, after obtaining informed consent. Information regarding demographic profile, knowledge, attitude and practices of spirituality in medical practice was collected. Analysis was done using percentages. Results: The response rate was 60% (150/250). More than 80% had a good deal of knowledge of spirituality but were unable to distinguish between spiritual practices and traditional religious rituals. 67% of them felt that spirituality may have resounding effects on psychiatric illnesses in adults. 75% of them practice spirituality in any form of self-health. Majority of the participants agreed that spirituality offers maximum health benefits in chronic diseases. Conclusions: It is evident from this study that there is a wide gap between reality and physician's perception of spirituality. Concepts regarding spirituality and it's application in health is lacking. Hence, redefining the place of spirituality in health and disease by way of conducting collaborative research by qualified and dedicated professionals is the need of the hour.