Background:The Extensor pollicis longus and brevis and abductor pollicis longus muscles have evolved progressively in different primates according to the function expected from the pollux finger. Analysis of individual muscles in different primates can help our understanding of evolution. Aims and objective: The present study was undertaken to study these three muscles and to note the variations therein and to attempt to explain the existence of these variations on the probable basis of their evolutionary history. Methodology: The extensor pollicis longus, brevis and abductor pollicis longus muscles were dissected meticulously in 100 upper limbs of adult cadavers. Results: In case of extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis, 2% incidence of duplication of muscle and 1% of duplication of tendon and 1% incidence of duplication of muscle and 2% of duplication of tendon was observed respectively. In case of abductor pollicis longus 23% incidence of variation was observed. The muscle was observed to split into multiple tendons of muscles to have widespread attachment beyond the 1st metacarpal bone. Conclusion: The extensor pollicis longus with minimum variation seems to have settled in its evolutionary trajectory. In 8% of abductor pollicis longus studied, superficial and deep heads were observed. Oudenaarde states that the superficial head is used for range of movement and the deep set of fibers are used for strength of contraction. Elliot observes that the wide attachment of the abductor pollicis longus on the muscles abductor pollicis brevis and the opponens pollicis, the 1st carpometacarpal joint capsule and trapezium bone could be for better anchorage for radial deviation at the wrist joint. The extensor pollicis brevis muscle is seen as a separate muscle only in humans, hylobatids and gorillas whereas in all other primates. The chimpanzee hand seems to have evolved one step further with two extensor pollicis brveis muscles.

Background: Rouviere’s sulcus (RS) was first identified in 1924 by Henri Rouviere. It lies oblique to the anterior and inferior border of the liver and holds the right portal pedicle. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of a Medical College in Maharashtra, India, on 45 cadaveric livers. The morphological observations made were: presence/ absence RS; direction of RS (oblique/ horizontal/ vertical); sulcus type ( deep/ slit/ scar); length, width and depth; presence of right hepatic pedicle; distance of the hepatic vessels from edge of the sulcus . Results: 40 livers showed the presence of Rouviere’s Sulcus. It was absent in five specimens. Direction was horizontal in 40%, oblique in 57.5% and vertical in 2.5% .26 livers showed a deep type of sulcus, 12 showed the slit type and 2 showed scar type .29 livers showed the right hepatic pedicle entering the RS. Average length, depth, of the RS was 2.35 cm and1.07 cm respectively. The average width was 0.32cm at medial end, 0.22cm at midpoint and 0.1cm at lateral end. Present study has added the details of depth of vessels from the edge of RS, which was not recorded in earlier studies. Depth of vessels from the edge of the sulcus was average 5mm (0.5cm) for the right branch of the hepatic artery and was 12mm (1.2cm) for the right branch of portal vein. Conclusion: Rouviere’s sulcus is a reference landmark for surgeons during laparoscopic surgeries on gall bladder and during hepatic resection to avoid injuries. This study wishes to provide detailed morphological data of the Rouviere’s Sulcus to hepatobiliary surgeons including depth of hepatic vessels in the RS as an added parameter to aid them in their surgical endeavor. KEY WORDS: Rouviere’s sulcus, Anatomical Landmark, Morphology, Depth, Hepatobiliary Surgery.

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Background:The calcaneal tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body which is attached to the midpoint of the posterior surface of calcaneum. It is a frequent site of rupture, degenerative changes and inflammation.Aim: To study the anatomical and morphological details of attachment of Achilles tendon. Materials and Methods:The study was carried out on 70 adult cadaveric lower limbs in two Medical colleges. Various linear measurements were taken with the help of digital vernier caliper, accurate up to 0.01 mm.Results: Presence of Achilles tendon in all cadaveric limbs was observed in the present study. Bursa between the tendon at insertion and calcaneus was seen in all specimens. Length of tendon of gastrocnemius was observed to vary between 16.5 cm to 29.5 cm. The width at musculotendinous junction with gastrocnemius was observed to vary between 3.42 cm to 6.84 cm. Other measurements taken were minimum width, thickness at insertion, length of gastrocnemius aponeurosis medially and laterally. Conclusion:In the present study, variations in the morphology of Gastrocnemius were observed. Understanding these variations of the gastrocnemius tendon and aponeurosis will aid the surgeon in performing surgical procedures such as pedicle tendon flap for reconstructive surgery and arthroplasty, Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession (EGR), on the Achilles tendon and prevent iatrogenic complications. It is also useful to the Anatomists as it will help them integrate in their teaching the variations and thus better prepare the students for their clinical tenures/work/future.

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