BACKGROUND Palmaris longus is a member of superficial group of flexor compartment of forearm muscles. It is a weak flexor of wrist and tensor of palmar aponeurosis. Its absence does not affect the strength or grip. However, its anomalous variants may cause clinical syndromes. Also, its long tendon with short muscle belly favours its use in tendon grafts and repair. Since it is a highly variable muscle, its variations must be studied. The aim of the study is to evaluate the different variations in palmaris longus muscle in cadavers and its possible clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of Madurai Medical College, Madurai. 30 formalin preserved cadavers were dissected during the period 2015-2018. A total of 60 upper limbs were studied. Both female and male cadavers of all age groups were included. Specimens damaged during dissection were excluded. The anterior compartment of forearm in all specimens were dissected step by step as per the directions given in Cunningham's manual of dissection. The palmaris longus muscle was identified by tracing out its origin and insertion. Anatomical variations encountered in the due course were documented and analysed using chi square test for statistical significance. The prevalence and significance of variations from the other studies done so far have also been studied. RESULTS Bilateral absence of palmaris longus along with palmar aponeurosis which is a rare occurrence was observed in a female cadaver. Bilateral duplication of palmaris longus was noted in one male cadaver. Duplication is more common in males. Absence is more common in females. In general, Variations are more common in females.

BACKGROUND Variations in the branching of the human aortic arch have clinical significance. An Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery (ARSA) arises as the last branch of the left-sided aortic arch distal to the normally-positioned left subclavian artery. ARSA usually remains asymptomatic and is revealed incidentally either radiologically or during anatomy dissection. It is associated with several congenital cardiovascular anomalies and some chromosomal syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty cadavers were dissected and observed for aortic arch branching pattern variations during routine undergraduate dissection over a period of two years in Institute of Anatomy, Madurai Medical College, Madurai, Tamilnadu. RESULTS One case of aberrant right subclavian artery was noted. The right subclavian artery arose from the right lateral surface of proximal part of descending aorta distal to ligamentum arteriosum. It was seen to course upwards, obliquely towards the right, passing posterior to trachea and oesophagus. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve on arising from the right vagus ran transversely towards inferior pole of the right lateral lobe of thyroid gland and entered the larynx behind the cricothyroid joint. The course of right laryngeal nerve was short and non-recurrent. CONCLUSION Awareness of this anatomical variation will provide useful knowledge to anatomists, radiologists, cardiologists, vascular and thoracic surgeons and thereby prevent injury to aberrant right subclavian artery and right recurrent laryngeal nerve during radiological and surgical interventions.

INTRODUCTION Sciatic nerve is the largest and thickest nerve in the body. It arises from the lumbar plexus within the pelvis. The nerve emerges from the pelvis to enter into its component nerves-tibial and common peroneal nerve. The division normally occurs at the lower apex of the superior angle of popliteal fossa of the thigh. However the division shows variations which may be inside the pelvis or outside the pelvis When outside, the division may occur anywhere from exit to apex of the popliteal fossa where nerve normally divides. These abnormal divisions of the may be aetiological factors for the pathologies related to the nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was done on twenty cadavers used in routine dissection for the under graduate students from Kanyakumari Government Medical College, Asaripalam, Nagarcoil, Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu. The cadavers were fixed in 10% in formalin, glycerine, isopropylol, and sodium chloride solution. Of these, two cadavers showed higher division of sciatic nerve. The division has occurred at the lower border of piriform is and divided nerve has emerged from the lower border of the pyriformis. Variations were seen on both the sides in these two bodies. CONCLUSION A thorough knowledge of division sciatic nerve helps in differential diagnosis of sciatica of various origins & its management by the different treatment methods.