ObjectivesThe goal of our study was to analyze the prevalence of variations, branching patterns, and histology of the ulnar nerve (UN) in Guyon’s canal to address its importance in hand surgery, particularly decompression of the UN.MethodsFifty fresh cadavers were dissected bilaterally, and the nerve in the area of Guyon’s canal was visualized. Samples for histology were also taken and prepared. The collected data were then analyzed.ResultsMorphometric measurements of the hands and histological studies were not found to have significant differences when compared by left or right side or by sex. Three major branching patterns were found, with division into deep and superficial UN being the most common (85%). Additional findings included a majority (70%) presenting with a cutaneous branch within the canal and/or with an anastomosis of its distant branches with those of the median nerve (57%).ConclusionThe UN is most commonly found to divide into a superficial and deep ulnar branch within Guyon’s canal. However, additional branches and anastomoses are common and should be taken into careful consideration when approached during surgery in the area, particularly during decompression procedures of Guyon’s canal.

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The aim of this study was to describe the branches and arterial supply of the recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH) in order to provide detailed information to neurosurgeons operating in this area of the brain. A total of 70 human brains (39 male and 31 female) obtained from cadavers (aged 31-75 years) during routine autopsies were examined; brains from individuals who died due to neurological disorders were not included in the study. Immediately after dissection the arteries were perfused with acrylic paint emulsion through the circle of Willis or electively through the RAH. Brains were fixed in a 10 % solution of formaldehyde and sectioned; the sections were analyzed under a stereoscopic light microscope (magnification 2-40×). The RAH was present in 138 hemispheres with a mean of 1.99 per hemisphere. Mean RAH length was 25.2 mm and the mean diameter, in its place of origin, was 1 mm. Between two and 30 (mean 9.4) branches originated from the stem of the RAH. Each branch then divided into 2-40 smaller branches (mean 19). Primary branches were divided and named in accordance with their course and arterial supply. Primary RAH branches include the anterior perforating substance, sylvian fissure, olfactory, frontal, hypothalamic, optic tract and connecting branches. Left and right hemispheres were asymmetrically supplied by RAH branches, but none of these discrepancies were of statistical significance.

Background: Many reports have previously indicated the vast number of anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinuses, e.g. presence of the recesses. Notwithstanding, there are a few crucial neurovascular structures directly neighbouring with the sinuses. The following research aimed to evaluate frequency prevalence of the carotid canal's protrusion into the sphenoid sinuses in adult population. Materials and methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses of 296 patients (147 females, 149 males) were analysed in this retrospective study. The patients did not present any pathologies in the sinuses. Spiral CT scanner Siemens Somatom Sensation 16 was used in the standard procedure in the option Siemens CARE Dose 4D. Results: Protrusion of the carotid canal was found in the majority of the patients-55.74%, more frequently in males (65.1% of the patients) than in females (46.26% of the patients). The said variant-regardless of gender-was noted more often bilaterally (41.55% of the cases: 29.93% females, 53.02% males) than unilaterally (14.19% of the cases: 16.33% females, 12.08% males). In the unilateral type (regardless of gender), the protrusion was more common for the left sphenoid sinus-10.81% of the patients (12.24% females, 9.4% males) than for the right-3.38% of the patients (4.08% females, 2.68% males). Conclusions: Complicated structure of the paranasal sinuses, derived from the high prevalence of their anatomical variations, may perplex routine surgical interventions. Henceforth, referral for a CT scan is imperative in order to abate the risks associated with an invasive procedure in the said region.

This article has been peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance.It is an open access article, which means that it can be downloaded, printed, and distributed freely, provided the work is properly cited. Articles in "Folia Morphologica" are listed in PubMed.