Background: Portal vein drains blood from the abdominal part of alimentary tract, spleen, pancreas and gall bladder to the liver. It is normally formed by the union of superior mesenteric and splenic veins behind the neck of pancreas. Knowledge of variations regarding the formation of portal vein is very useful for surgeons to perform pancreas and duodenum and liver surgeries and for the interventional radiologist for catheter-based interventions. The objectives of this study are to disclose the variations in formation of hepatic portal vein and to measure the length of portal vein in cadavers. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on 40 embalmed cadavers in the Department of Human Anatomy, KIST Medical College, Lalitpur Nepal after taking ethical approval. The pattern of portal vein formation and its tributaries were identified and photographs were taken. The pattern of portal vein formation was classified as: Type I: Portal vein formed by the confluence of superior mesenteric and splenic vein ; Type II: portal vein formed by the confluence of superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric vein . Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.Results: Type I pattern of portal vein formation was observed in 31 cadavers (82.5%) while Type II pattern was observed in 5 cadavers (12.5%). Average length of portal vein was 50.58mm. Conclusions: Portal vein shows variations in the pattern of formation which should be taken into consideration during pancreatico-duodenal surgeries and in the interpretation of abdominal angiographs.Keywords: Length; portal vein; variations.

Background: Median nerve is generally formed in axilla, as one of the branch of brachial plexus. It is formed by the union of medial and lateral roots which are the branches of me­dial and lateral cord respectively. The knowledge of origin, course and area of distribution of median nerve is important for the anatomist, the neurologist and also for correction of traumatic injuries that are related to brachial plexus. The main objective of this study is to observe different variations in median nerve formation in cadavers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 formalin fixed adult human ca­davers in the Department of Anatomy, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur Ethical approval was taken. Altogether, 50 specimens were enrolled in the study by convenient sampling method. The calculation was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 (SPSS). Results: In this study the formation of median nerve was observed to be normal in 78% of the cases. In 20% cases three roots were forming the median nerve and in 2% cases four roots were present. Among these variations in 18% cases the additional roots were observed to be given by the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. Conclusions: This study concludes that most of the median nerve forms in axilla by the union of two roots with few variations.

Background: The sciatic nerve is formed in the pelvic cavity and leaves the cavity through the greater sciatic foramen below the piriformis muscle. It terminates by giving tibial and common peroneal (fibular) nerve near the superior angle of the popliteal fossa. Awareness of variations in bifurcation of sciatic nerve is significant during deep intramuscular gluteal injections, clinical conditions such as piriformis syndrome, sciatica, coccygodynia and muscle atrophy. The main objective of this study was to highlight the site of bifurcation of sciatic nerve. Methods: An observational cross–sectional study was performed in the Department of Anatomy of KIST medical college & Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal. The data was collected after ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee. 50 specimens were taken in the study by convenient sampling method. Sciatic nerve was observed in respect to its site of bifurcation. Results: Out of 50 lower limbs, in 30 specimens (60%) the sciatic nerve showed bifurcation near the superior angle of popliteal fossa. 20 lower limbs (40%) showed variations,of which eight limbs (16%) showed division of nerve prior to its exit in the gluteal region, eight limb (16%) showed division in upper 2/3rd of back of thigh and four limbs (8%) showed division of the nerve in the popliteal fossa. Conclusions: This study concludes that the majority of sciatic nerve divides at the superior angle of the popliteal fossa while some divided into other regions such as pelvis, thigh & popliteal fossa.

Background: Median nerve is generally formed in axilla, as one of the branch of brachial plexus. It is formed by the union of medial and lateral roots which are the branches of me­dial and lateral cord respectively. The knowledge of origin, course and area of distribution of median nerve is important for the anatomist, the neurologist and also for correction of traumatic injuries that are related to brachial plexus. The main objective of this study is to observe different variations in median nerve formation in cadavers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 formalin fixed adult human ca­davers in the Department of Anatomy, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur Ethical approval was taken. Altogether, 50 specimens were enrolled in the study by convenient sampling method. The calculation was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 (SPSS). Results: In this study the formation of median nerve was observed to be normal in 78% of the cases. In 20% cases three roots were forming the median nerve and in 2% cases four roots were present. Among these variations in 18% cases the additional roots were observed to be given by the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. Conclusions: This study concludes that most of the median nerve forms in axilla by the union of two roots with few variations.