The innervation supply to the vastus medialis (VM) muscle, a component of quadriceps femoris (QF), is provided by a branch of the femoral nerve (FN) running along the muscle. The course of the nerve from lumbar roots to the muscle has been described by many researchers. It is known to ride along the femoral vein, artery and saphenous nerve and enter the adductor canal (Hunter's canal), and then to divide into branches that supply vastus medialis and the knee joint. Femoral mononeuropathy is uncommon, and is usually due to compression in the spinal level. Hematoma in the psoas and iliacus muscles, drug abuse, lithotomy position and limb lengthening are the other associated reasons for a mononeuropathy of the femoral nerve. Isolated vastus lateralis (VL) atrophies have been reported by a few authors, suggesting that compression of the nerve and direct violation of the nerve with injections might be the reason for mononeuropathy. Isolated VM atrophy has not been previously reported. The purpose of the study was to identify the anatomical structures around the FN branch which innervates the VM muscle.

An anatomical study for evaluation of anterior C1-C2. To provide essential anatomic data for safer transoral odontoidectomy. The surface dimensions of the atlas vertebra and the transoral approach for odontoidectomy have been described in detail. Anterior arcus of C1 must be drilled out to reach odontoid process for transoral odontoidectomy. The thickness of anterior ring of C1 has not been studied before. Sixty, dried adult atlas and 60 axis vertebrae and ten cadaveric craniocervical specimens were measured for the following: (1) bony drilling depth (BDD), the distance from the anterior wall of anterior ring of C1 to anterior wall of odontoid; (2) minimum drilling diameter (MDD), distance of minimum C1 anterior ring removal for odontoid resection on horizontal plane; (3) maximum bony drilling diameter (MBDD), distance of maximum C1 anterior ring removal for odontoid resection on horizontal plane. Lateral border of this diameter is limited by medial borders of the lateral mass; (4) the widest odontoid diameters (WOD) on coronal sections were measured. On 60 atlas and axis vertebrae, the BDD was 7.0 +/- 1.2 mm on dry bones, the distance between the medial borders of the lateral mass (MBDD) was 16.1 +/- 1.5 mm, and the WOD on coronal sections (WOD) was 9.8 +/- 0.8 mm. On cadavers, the distance between the two edges of C1 anterior ring removal for odontoid resection (MDD) was 10.8 +/- 1.1 mm and the WOD on coronal sections (WOD) was 10.1 +/- 1.4 mm. An odontoid surgery through transoral approach is safe and feasible. A quantitative understanding of the anterior anatomy of C-1 and C-2 is necessary when considering transoral odontoid resection. In this study the authors define safe zones for anterior atlas and axis.

Intraoperative adjunctive MMC use might improve the long-term results of viscocanalostomy by facilitating subconjunctival filtration and might widen the indication range of the technique.

The peripheral, extraparotid course and localisation of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial n. is described, with variations, based on the dissection of 40 cadaver half heads. Its anatomical relationships with the ramus of mandible and facial a. are studied and morphometric features are reported. Knowledge of the accurate course and relationship of the marginal mandibular branch should help to protect this nerve from surgical injury.

Failure to block the terminal nerves of the brachial plexus, the circumferential type of incomplete axillary brachial plexus block, is the main problem of the single-injection technique. Two studies were carried out to observe the internal anatomy of the axillary sheath and the effect of different volumes of dye injected into the sheath in cadavers. In our first study, the internal arrangement of the axillary sheath and its septae were examined microscopically by slicing the sheath longitudinally and transversely. In the second study, boluses of 10, 20, and 40 cc of methylene-blue were injected into one of the compartments of the axillary sheath. The axillary sheath was dissected out and sliced transversely to observe the spread of the dye in the injected and in the adjacent compartments. The specimens of the axillary sheath were then opened longitudinally and the septae excised and examined at x10 magnification to see the effect of the various volumes of the injection bolus. This study shows that septae from the deep surface of the axillary sheath form compartments for each nerve. The septae function as barriers under physiologic conditions. By increasing the injected volume of solutions, bubble-like defects are produced in the septae in the compartments into which leakage was demonstrated.