We investigated the variations of the origin of the dorsal scapular artery (DSA) and its relation to the brachial plexus in 252 sides of the posterior cervical triangles of Thais. The origin of this artery on each part of the subclavian artery or other arterial branches was examined with special reference to their course in relation to the brachial plexus. The results show that the DSA originated from three sites; most commonly from the transverse cervical artery (69%) followed by the direct branching from the second (2.8%) or the third part (28.2%) of the subclavian artery. When the DSA was branched from the transverse cervical artery, its course was always posterior or above the brachial plexus. When the DSA arose from the second or the third part of the subclavian artery, it always ran in the branches of the brachial plexus in various sites. The most frequent course was to pass between the upper and middle trunks of the brachial plexus (63.2%). Other courses were far less frequent and found to pass between the anterior division of the upper trunk and the middle trunk of brachial plexus or between the roots of C8 and T1 with the frequency of 1.3 and 2.6%, respectively.

Objective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of occipitalization of the atlas among Thai dried skulls, in order to contribute to baseline awareness of this condition. Materials and methods. The skulls of 633 adult Thais from the collection maintained in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, were examined for evidence of occipitalization of the atlas. The skulls were well-preserved and did not show any traits of craniofacial deformation. The skulls for which the age and sex were unknown were excluded from the analysis. From the cadaveric records on each individual, we learned that the skulls belonged to 373 men (age of decease between 25 and 90 years), and 260 women (age of decease between 28 and 92 years). Results. Occipitalization of the atlas was detected in 2 skulls (0.32%). The first case was a male skull (54 years of age at decease), where the atlas was partially fused to the occipital bone. The second case was also a male skull (59 years of age at decease) showing complete fusion of the anterior arch of the atlas. Conclusion. The incidence of occipitalization of the atlas is low; however, if present this abnormality may cause a wide range of neurological problems. Knowledge of occipitalization of the atlas may be of substantial importance to orthopedists, neurosurgeons, physiotherapists and radiologists dealing with abnormalities of the cervical spine. Mistaken diagnoses have led to delayed treatment and at times adverse results.

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Many origins and insertions of an axillary muscular slip (also known as Langer's or axillary arch muscles) have been documented previously. In this report, we found duplicated axillary arch muscles (two variant muscular slips) originating from the inferolateral border of the right side latissimus dorsi muscle. Obviously, these axillary arch muscles can be distinguished as short and long muscular strips. While the origin was the same, the short muscular slip inserts into the fascia covering on the pectoralis minor, whereas the longer one inserts on/into the aponeurosis of pectoralis major. For the surgery in the axillary region, this rare variation should be considered a cause of surgical interventions.