PATHOMORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PALMAR APONEUROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE AND VIRAL HEPATITIS

Objective. To establish pathomorphologic peculiarities of palmar aponeurosis in the patients with Dupuytren’s contracture and concomitant virus hepatitis B and C. Methods. The data analysis of histomorphometric studies of the operation samples of 122 patients with Dupuytren’s contracture («Control» group, n=100) and Dupuytren’s contracture with virus hepatitis B and C («Hepatitis» group, n=22) were analyzed. Results. In patients of the «Hepatitis» group, the content of adiposed tissue in the palmar aponeurosis was 40.9% less (p <0.01) than in the «Control» group, and the content of dense connective tissue was 18.9% higher (p <0, 05). In all patients, arteries with the diameter up to 150 µm prevailed in the palmar aponeurosis, but in the «Hepatitis» group their percentage was reduced by 20%, with higher proportions of vessels with the diameter of 150-450 µm and the absence or recalibration of the largest arteries. In the «Control» group, the arteries had diameters from 50 to 660 µm, in the «Hepatitis» group they did not exceed 370 µm. Vessels less than 300 µm in diameter in both groups had comparable values of the Kernogan’s index. Arteries with a diameter of more than 300 microns in the «Hepatitis» group had higher values of the Kernogan’s index, which indicated a low conductance capacity compared to the vessels in the «Control» group. Most of the nerve trunks of the palmar aponeurosis in the patients of «Hepatitis» group showed signs of necrobiotic changes, i.e. fibrotic or swollen perineurium, withinflammatory cell infiltration, sometimes lost lamellar structure, and nerve fibers with signs of Wallerian degeneration. Conclusion. Obtained histomorphometric data of the tissue composition of palmar fascial fibromatosis, less amount of adiposed tissue and higher amount of dense connective one and more pronounced disorder of hemodynamics and innervation of the palmar aponeurosis in the group with concomitant virus hepatitis indicate significant effect of the liver pathology on the progression of the disease. What this paper adds For the first time, the pathomorphological features of the palmar aponeurosis have been studied in 122 patients with Dupuytren’s contracture and concomitant viral hepatitis B and C.It has been found that in patients with Dupuytren’s contracture and hepatitis in the palmar aponeurosis, the amount of adiposed tissue is reduced and the amount of dense connective tissue is increased; hemodynamic and innervation disorders are more pronounced.

Existence and features of the myodural bridge in Gentoo penguins: A morphological study

Recent studies have evidenced that the anatomical structure now known as the myodural bridge (MDB) connects the suboccipital musculature to the cervical spinal dura mater (SDM). In humans, the MDB passes through both the posterior atlanto-occipital and the posterior atlanto-axial interspaces. The existence of the MDB in various mammals, including flying birds (Rock pigeons and Gallus domesticus) has been previously validated. Gentoo penguins are marine birds, able to make 450 dives per day, reaching depths of up to 660 feet. While foraging, this penguin is able to reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour. Gentoo penguins are also the world’s fastest diving birds. The present study was therefore carried out to investigate the existence and characteristics of the MDB in Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), a non-flying, marine bird that can dive. For this study, six Gentoo penguin specimens were dissected to observe the existence and composition of their MDB. Histological staining was also performed to analyze the anatomic relationships and characteristic of the MDB in the Gentoo penguin. In this study, it was found that the suboccipital musculature in the Gentoo penguin consists of the rectus capitis dorsalis minor (RCDmi) muscle and rectus capitis dorsalis major (RCDma) muscle. Dense connective tissue fibers were observed connecting these two suboccipital muscles to the spinal dura mater (SDM). This dense connective tissue bridge consists of primarily type I collagen fibers. Thus, this penguin’s MDB appears to be analogous to the MDB previously observed in humans. The present study evidences that the MDB not only exists in penguins but it also has unique features that distinguishes it from that of flying birds. Thus, this study advances the understanding of the morphological characteristics of the MDB in flightless, marine birds.

Internal Structural Connections in the Popliteal Muscle Tendon Complex and Their Clinical Significance

Background:The popliteal muscle-tendon complex (PMTC) belongs to the deep structure of the posterolateral complex (PLC) of human knee, which plays an important role in the posterolateral stability of the knee joint. At present, the anatomical relationship between the popliteal muscle and its adjacent structures remains controversial, especially the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and popliteal muscle. The revealation of anatomical connection between the popliteus muscle and its deep structures could provide an anatomical basis for the reconstruction of the PLC injury.Methods: To observe and analyze the relationship between popliteal muscle and the PCL, posterior meniscofemoral ligament (PMFL), lateral meniscus and articular capsule (AC). The dissection of 7 cases of adult human knee joint fixed with formalin, and 9 cases of sagittal P45 plastinated section of the knee joint were involved in this study. Results: For the popliteal muscle, the anatomical dissection showed that at the posterior edge of the platform of the lateral condyle of the tibia, at the tendon-muscle transition, from medial to lateral, separately sent out: dense connective tissue to connect with the PCL, dense fiber bundles to connect with the PMFL, and dense connective tissue band to connect the lateral meniscus. Meanwhile, the results of the P45 section revealed that the popliteal muscle fascia ran superiorly over the posterior edge of the tibialintercondylar eminence, andturned forward to be integrated into the PCL. Laterally, near the posterior edge of the lateral tibial plateau, the popliteal tendon penetrates through the articular capsule, where two dense fiberous bundleswere given off upwards by the popliteal tendon: one was the ventral fiber bundle,which ran superiorly over the posterior edge of the tibial plateau and then moved forwards to connect with the lateral meniscus; the dorsal fibersbundle ascended directly and participated in the AC.Conclusion: Popliteus muscle was connected with PCL, AC, lateral meniscus, and PMFL via the dense connective tissues near its tendon-muscle transition.

Existence and Features of the Myodural Bridge in Gentoo Penguins: a morphological study

Recent studies have evidenced that the anatomical structure now known as the myodural bridge (MDB) connects the suboccipital musculature to the cervical spinal dura mater (SDM). In humans, the MDB passes through both the posterior atlanto-occipital and the posterior atlanto-axial interspaces. The present authors suggest that the MDB has important physiological functions in humans. The existence of the MDB in various mammals, including flying birds (Rock pigeons and Gallus domesticus) has been previously validated. Gentoo penguins are marine birds, able to make 450 dives per day, reaching depths of up to 660 feet. Gentoo penguins are also the world’s fastest diving birds. The present study was therefore carried out to investigate the existence and characteristics of the MDB in Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), a non-flying, marine bird that can dive. While foraging, this penguin is able to reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour. For this study, six Gentoo penguin specimens were dissected to observe the existence and composition of their MDB. Histological staining was also performed to analyze the anatomic relationships and characteristic of the MDB in the Gentoo penguin. In this study, it was found that the suboccipital musculature in the Gentoo penguin consists of the rectus capitis dorsalis minor (RCDmi) muscle and rectus capitis dorsalis major (RCDma) muscle. Dense connective tissue fibers were observed connecting these two suboccipital muscles to the spinal dura mater (SDM). This dense connective tissue bridge consists of primarily type I collagen fibers. Thus, this penguin’s MDB appears to be analogous to the MDB previously observed in humans. The present study evidences that the MDB not only exists in penguins but it also has unique features that distinguishes it from that of flying birds. Thus, this study advances the understanding of the morphological characteristics of the MDB in flightless, marine birds.

Anatomy of inferior end of palatopharyngeus: its contribution to upper esophageal sphincter opening

Purpose The palatopharyngeus is one of the longitudinal pharyngeal muscles which contributes to swallowing. It is reported that the palatopharyngeus has muscle bundles in various directions and with attachment sites, and each muscle bundle has a specific function. Although previous reports suggest that the palatopharyngeus is partly interlaced with some parts of the inferior constrictor, the precise relationship remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the precise manner of the connection between the palatopharyngeus and inferior constrictor, and to examine the histological characteristics of this connection. Methods We examined 15 halves of nine heads from Japanese cadavers (average age: 76.1 years); 12 halves, macroscopically, and three halves, histologically. Results Our observation suggests that the palatopharyngeus spreads radially on the inner aspect of the pharyngeal wall. The most inferior portion of the palatopharyngeus extended to the inner surface of the cricopharyngeal part of the inferior constrictor. Histological analysis showed that the inferior end of the palatopharyngeus continued into the dense connective tissue located at the level of the cricoid cartilage. The dense connective tissue not only covered the inner surface of the inferior constrictor but also entered its muscle bundles and enveloped them. Conclusion Therefore, the palatopharyngeus interlaced the cricopharyngeal part of the inferior constrictor through the dense connective tissues. The findings of this study show that the palatopharyngeus may act on the upper esophageal sphincter directly and help in its opening with the aid of the pulling forces in the superolateral direction.