Accessory spleens (AS) may be formed during embryonic development when some of the cells from the developing spleen are deposited along the path from the midline, where the spleen forms, over to its final location on the left side of the abdomen. An accessory spleen is usually near the spleen's hilum, but it may be embedded partly or wholly in the tail of the pancreas. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and distribution of AS during routine forensic autopsies. AS were investigated in 720 consecutive autopsy cases. Fifty-four AS were found in 48 (6.7%) cases. AS were found in hilum of the main spleen in 28 cases, the great omentum in 13 cases, the pancreas in 5 cases, and the pelvis in 2 cases. There were two AS in two cases and three AS in another two cases. Awareness of the possible presence of AS is important because when splenectomy is performed for some conditions such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, failure to remove the AS may result in the failure of the condition to resolve. Additionally, during medical imaging, AS may be confused for enlarged lymph nodes or neoplastic growths. In conclusion, autopsy series are useful for determining the incidences and the other features of AS in different populations, in addition to those studies using CT scans and those studies obtained during laparoscopic or open surgeries.

The course and branches of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) were dissected in 140 human fetal arms. The MCN entered the superior, middle, and inferior part of coracobrachialis in 43%, 37%, and 17% of arms, respectively, and the remaining 3% did not pierce coracobrachialis. The motor branches to biceps were classified as follows: Type 1 (83.6%): a single branch that bifurcated to supply the two heads of biceps; Type 2 (14.3%): two separate branches each innervating one head of biceps; Type 3 (2.1%): a single branch that bifurcated to supply each head of biceps plus an additional branch that innervated the distal part of biceps. The motor branches to brachialis were classified as follows: Type 1 (93.6%): a single branch to brachialis; Type 2 (6.4%): a single branch that bifurcated into two branches both supplying brachialis. Communications between the MCN and the median nerve (MN) were observed in 10% of specimens, of which three types (A, B, C) could be identified depending on their origin and union. In the most frequently observed type (B, 50% of cases) the communicating branch arose from the proximal part of the MCN and joined the MN in the middle or distal part of arm. The data presented here will be of use to surgeons, especially pediatric surgeons who undertake surgical procedures in the axilla and arm. Clin. Anat. 22:337-345, 2009. V V C 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The presence of MB, MBL and degree of luminal narrowing were not associated with the age and gender. Deepness and thickness were a major determinant of significancy of systolic obstruction by MBs.

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SUMMARY:The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the maxillary artery (MA) and its branches. Fourteen sides of Turkish adult cadavers were dissected. The specimens were classified according to the relation between MA and the lateral pterygoid. After the removal of the lateral pterygoid, parts and branches of MA were exposed. We classified the branching patterns of MA in the pterygopalatine fossa. The calibers and lengths of the arteries, and the distance between the zygomatic arch and MA, and between the infratemporal crest and MA were measured. The MA was found superficial to the lateral pterygoid in 57.2%. The inferior alveolar artery (IA) was arisen from MA before the middle meningeal artery (MM) in 35.7%, after MM in 35.7%. The IA and MM were arisen from the same area of MA in 14.3 %. In other two cases IA was arisen from the beginning of MA (14.3%). According to the contours of third portion of MA, we classified "Y" type (50%), "intermediate-T" type (14.3%), and "M" type (35.7%). This reinvestigation of the clinical anatomy of MA may provide useful information to the head and neck surgeons, dentists, neurosurgeons and radiologists related with this region.

The mental foramen and lingual vascular canals are related to vessels and nerves in the mandibular body. The aim of the present study was to determine the number and location of these structures and to make measurements of them. The archived Multidetector Computed Tomography images of 100 adult (15- to 70-year-old) patients were evaluated retrospectively. The diameters of the mental foramens and their distances from the front, back, upper and lower reference points were measured. The distribution of mental foramens with respect to the teeth was also researched. The presence of lingual vascular canals, and the number of median and lateral canals was determined, and the length of the median lingual vascular canals measured. All measurement parameters were analyzed by gender, side and age group. Eleven patients demonstrated a total of 15 accessory mental foramen. Median lingual vascular canals were observed in 100% of cases, with lateral lingual vascular canals determined in 32%. Significant differences were observed in the results of different gender groups (P < 0.05); in contrast, no significant difference was observed related with age or side. Accessory mental foramen was determined mostly in males, and unilaterally on the right side; also, the distances of mental foramen, except the distance from the back border of the mandible (P < 0.05), were found to be higher, bilaterally, in males. Variation of mental foramen, as well as the presence, position and size of lingual vascular canals can be clearly investigated by multidetector computed tomography. A preoperative knowledge of the positions of neurovascular and bone structures is very important for preventing complications that may occur during or after operations.

These results show differences from classical definitions regarding the muscular branching patterns of the median and ulnar nerves. We suggest revisiting the classical descriptions of innervation patterns of pronator teres, palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles, since the variations observed in their innervation patterns are more diverse than has been described.

The MDCT was found to be a reliable method for the detection of mandibular morphometry when compared with the results of other radiographic images studies.