No abstract

Introduction: Accurate knowledge of the normal and variant arterial anatomy of the facial artery is important for vascular radiology and will provide an anatomical basis to assist surgeons in performing maxillo-facial surgeries successfully. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed faces of unknown sex adult cadavers were dissected following the Cunningham's manual of practical anatomy, volume 3. The age of the cadavers was not noted. Results: The variations in the facial artery were grouped under three categories following the classification of Bayramet.al, 2010. Type I category-Facial artery terminated as angular artery ; Type II category-facial artery terminated as superior labial ; Type III-Facial artery terminated as inferior labial .In present study (type-II) is seen. Premasseteric branch was observed. Discussion: Niranjan NS (1988) observed the variations of facial artery in 50 hemi-faces. According to him, facial artery terminated as angular artery in 68 % of hemi-faces, lateral nasal artery in 26% of hemi-faces, Superior labial artery in 4% of hemi-faces and 2% terminated at the alar base 12. In present study facial artery terminates as superior labial artery. A study conducted by Magden et.al (2009) , on the premasseteric branch, suggested that in 3% cases the diameter of premasseteric branch was larger than the facial artery. Conclusion: This study shows that the variation in the branching pattern of facial artery variations, which help in avoiding the mishaps during certain surgical procedures.

Sternal foramen is a congenital oval defect at the lower third of the sternum that is usually asymptomatic & occurs due to incomplete fusion of multiple ossification centres. During our routine osteology classes, a sternum with a foramen in the lower part of its body measuring about 11mmx10mm was found. Knowledge about such variation is important as it has risk of life threatening complications like pneumothorax or even pericardial or cardiac puncture during sternal biopsy or acupuncture.