BACKGROUND Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ playing a vital role in the defense mechanism of the body and performs a unique function of filtration of blood by phagocytes. We wanted to study the morphological variations and to compare the results with previous findings and to unearth the so far unnoticed features of the spleen. METHODS This is a descriptive study. 60 human cadaveric normal spleens were studied. The morphological features of the spleen such as shape, surfaces, poles, and measurements of borders, weight, thickness, notches, fissures, lobes, lobules, hilum and accessory spleens have been studied. RESULTS Spleens showed many shapes and they were classified into 15 forms. Most of the spleens were wedge shaped [31.66%, ], followed by triangular [11.6%], rounded [10%], tetrahedral [8.3%], irregular [8.3%], oval [5%], bilobed [5%], trilobed [5%], heart shaped [3.3 %], cone shaped [1.6%], tent shaped [1.6%], orange peel [1.6%], foot shaped [1.6%], fork shaped [1.6%] and lobulated [3.3%]. Length, breadth, thickness and weight, varied between 6 cm-15 cm, 4.5 cm-11.5 cm, 1.5 cm-3.5 cm and 70-180 grams respectively. Medial and lateral ends, surfaces, borders, notches, lobes and lobules and fissures were noted in most of the spleens. In circular, irregular conical, tent shaped spleens, the borders could not be identified properly. 96.6% of spleens showed notches on their superior border. 3.4% of spleens were without notches. Notches were absolutely absent in inferior border. Fissures were noticed on both the surfaces in 11.6% of spleens. Two accessory spleens were noticed out of 60 spleens. One accessory spleen was found near the hilum. It was pea shaped and pea sized. Another accessory spleen was oval in shape situated on a deep depression on the visceral surface of the spleen connected to it by a bridge of splenic tissue and supplied by small branches of splenic artery. It measured about 3 cms. in diameter. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of different shapes of the spleen, variations in dimensions, absence/presence of notches in unusual sites, occasional presence of fissures on the surfaces, lobes and lobules and presence/absence of accessory spleens is important for physicians, surgeons, radiologists and anatomists.

Introduction: Knowledge of position of nutrient foramina of long bones can be useful in certain surgical procedures. Bone ossification, growth and healing depend on its vascularity. Nutrient artery is the main source of blood supply of bone along with periosteal arteries. The topographical knowledge of these foramina is useful in certain operative procedures, in orthopedics as well as in plastic and reconstructive surgeries. AIM: The present study aims to determine the number and position of nutrient foramen of tibia and fibula and to observe direction and obliquity of nutrient foramina. Subjects and Methods: 100 adult dry bones including 50 tibia and 50 fibula were studied. Nutrient foramina were identified with naked eyes. The obliquity was determined with hypodermic needle. The nutrient foramina location was determined by dividing total bone into segments, the locations were validated by calculating foraminal index. Results: It has been observed that 98% (49) tibia has single nutrient foramina, double nutrient foramiana present in 2%of tibia. Most of the nutrient foramina in tibia are present in upper third i.e 65% (33). Foramina index of tibia is 45.05 with standard deviation of 8.29.In fibula single foramen was observed in 46 (92%) and double foramina 2 (4) and there is no nutrient foramen in 2 (4). In 2 fibulae having double nutrient foramen, proximal foramen was directed downward and distal foramen was directed upwards. In 50% ( 25) nutrient foramina is present in posterior surface, most of nutrient are in middle third 48 (96%).mean foraminal index of fibula is 45.05 with standard deviation of 8.29. Conclusion:Our study has attempted to put together findings from different studies regarding the number and position and obliquity of nutrient foramina of leg bones .The present study will be useful for orthopedic surgeons during procedures like bone grafting and more recently microsurgical vascularised bone transplantation and new graduates to understand the importance of nutrient foramina of long bones.