While there is considerable geographic variation between countries, the regional surgical workforce represents less than 4 % of the equivalent number in developed countries indicating the magnitude of the human resource challenge to be addressed.

High surgical graduate retention rates across the region indicate that the expansion of national surgical training initiatives is an effective solution to addressing the surgical workforce shortage in East, Central and Southern Africa and counters long-held arguments regarding brain drain in this region.

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The Lamina Terminalis represents an important neuroanatomical structure by which third Ventriculostomy could be performed into the subarachnoid space through the Cisterna Chiasmatica. Recent studies have indicated a role for Lamina Terminalis fenestration in approaching pathologies of the third ventricle. However, there is limited knowledge on the anatomical features, variations and the vasculature of the Lamina Terminalis in a Zambian population. This study was aimed to explore the anatomy of the Lamina Terminalis, the Cisterna Chiasmatica and its neurovascular  relationships as seen in a Zambian population and compare with the findings in the literature. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional design in which 32 post-mortem human cadaveric brains were systematically sampled. The Lamina Terminalis region was examined in 27 male cadavers and five female cadavers of age range between 25 and 66 years (mean 34.1 ± 9.2years). Data was collected using a data collection form, entered and analyzed by descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Mean and standard deviations were used to describe variables. The base of the brain was detached from the floor of the cranial cavity and the Lamina Terminalis exposed fully by retracting both optic nerves and the optic Chiasma posteroinferiorly. Thetriangular Lamina Terminalis measurements were performed as the distance between the midportion of the upper aspect of the chiasma and the lower aspect of the anterior commissure (height), which averaged 8.6 ±1.0mm. The distance between the medial edges of the optic tracts (base) averaged 13.1 ±1.1mm and the area averaged 56.9 ± 11.6mm2. The Lamina Terminalis membrane showed variations in appearance; 20 were transparent with a large dark midline gap and 10 were less translucent with a slender midline gap and two were indistinct. The Cisterna Chiasmatica was observed as a dilated subarachnoid space adjacent to the Optic Chiasma. For neurovascular relationships, 24 cadavers showed arterioles arising from the posterosuperior aspect of the anterior cerebral artery to perforate the anterior perforating substance(s), supplying the chiasma, and optic tracts; whereas, eight cadavers showed arterioles arising  posteroinferiorly and ramifying on the Lamina Terminalis. The Lamina Terminalis membrane is variably developed. There are variations in the membrane appearance, measurements and neurovascular relationships. These findings will supplement a knowledge gap in neuroanatomy and help prevent complications during Lamina Terminalis fenestration in approaching pathologies of the third ventricle.Key words: Lamina Terminalis, Cisterna Chiasmatica, Third Ventriculostomy

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Anatomical variations in the origin of the branches of the arch of the aorta are frequent. In this case report the left common carotid artery arose as a branch from the brachiocephalic artery. The left common carotid artery arose at a distance 11mm from the arch of the aorta and had an internal diameter of 9mm.

IntroductionCoronary artery anomalies are rare [1][2][3] though Anderson [4] in Grants Atlas of Anatomy states that the coronary circulation is extremely variable in detail. Coronary artery anomalies have a documented incidence range of between 0.26 % to 5.64 % in studies done using different methods in different countries [1,[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Altin et al., [12] reported that the incidence of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) varies from 0.2% to 8.4%. With the increase in the rate of cardiovascular diseases in developing countries [13] and Sub-Saharan Africa [14], knowledge of the normal and possible variations in the origin and course of the coronary arteries is indispensable and imperative in diagnosis, treatment and implementation of interventional measures [3,15,16]. Knowledge of the possible variations in the origin and course of the major coronary arteries can greatly enhance clinical outcomes [3]. Recognition and knowledge of coronary artery anomalies is important when performing angiographies and ensuring accurate angiographic interpretation [7,16].