Kraniovertebral Bileşke Kemiklerinin Morfometrik Özellikleri

Introduction: The craniovertebral junction comprises the occipital bone, atlas, axis and supporting ligaments. Surgical interventions for treatment of instability, require knowledge of morphometric properties of this area. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate adult dried human skulls to analyze morphometric features of the bones that joined the craniovertebral junction. Materials and Methods: Morphometric analysis was performed on dry bones which found in the excavations. 9 occipital bone, 18 atlas and 16 axis were measured. Differences between measurements were determined using t-tests and were considered significant at p<0.05. Results: The distance between both tips of the transverse processes (p<0.001), the distance between both outermost edges of the transverse foramen (p=0.011), the distance between both innermost edges of the transverse foramen (p=0.013), the maximum transverse diamater of the vertebral canal (p=0.014), the maximum anteroposterior diameter of the vertebral canal (p=0.014) and the width of the inferior articular facet (left p<0.001 and right p=0.005) were found significantly shorter in females atlases. The width of the dens axis (p<0.001), the height of the corpus axis (p=0.034), the distance from lateral most edge of the transvers process to midline (left p=0.049), the length of the inferior articular facet (left p=0.004, right p=0.005), the width of the superior articular facet (right p=0.007) were found significantly shorter in females axises. Conclusion: Morphometric analysis is very important in the development and improvement of surgical techniques. In this context, the results of our study can contribute to developments in this area. Keywords: Atlas, axis, occipital bone, craniovertebral junction

Unusual pectoral apparatus in a predatory dinosaur resolves avian wishbone homology

The furcula is a distinctive element of the pectoral skeleton in birds, which strengthens the shoulder region to withstand the rigor of flight. Although its origin among theropod dinosaurs is now well-supported, the homology of the furcula relative to the elements of the tetrapod pectoral girdle (i.e., interclavicle vs clavicles) remains controversial. Here, we report the identification of the furcula in the birdlike theropod Halszkaraptor escuilliei. The bone is unique among furculae in non-avian dinosaurs in bearing a visceral articular facet in the hypocleideal end firmly joined to and overlapped by the sternal plates, a topographical pattern that supports the primary homology of the furcula with the interclavicle. The transformation of the interclavicle into the furcula in early theropods is correlated to the loss of the clavicles, and reinforced the interconnection between the contralateral scapulocoracoids, while relaxing the bridge between the scapulocoracoids with the sternum. The function of the forelimbs in theropod ancestors shifted from being a component of the locomotory quadrupedal module to an independent module specialized to grasping. The later evolution of novel locomotory modules among maniraptoran theropods, involving the forelimbs, drove the re-acquisition of a tighter connection between the scapulocoracoids and the interclavicle with the sternal complex.

The coracoscapular joint of neornithine birds—extensive homoplasy in a widely neglected articular surface of the avian pectoral girdle and its possible functional correlates

A survey is given of the morphological variation of the coracoscapular joint of neornithine birds. In Mesozoic stem group representatives, the coracoid exhibits a deeply concave cotyla scapularis, which articulates with a globose tuberculum coracoideum of the scapula. This morphology is likely to be functionally related to the development of a powerful supracoracoideus muscle and the formation of a triosseal canal as a pulley for the tendon of this muscle. In neornithine birds, the coracoid articulates with the scapula either via a concave cotyla or a flat facies articularis, with the latter largely restricting movements of the coracoid to the paramedian plane. Ancestral state reconstruction suggests that a cotyla scapularis is plesiomorphic for Neornithes and that a flat facies articularis scapularis evolved at least 13 times independently within the clade. For several lineages, the transition to a flat facies articularis scapularis can be traced in the fossil record, and the replacement of a cup-shaped cotyla by a flat articular facet seems to have been due to various functional demands. Often, a flat facies articularis scapularis is associated with reduced shafts of the furcula. A weakly developed furcula enables transverse movements of the coracoid and therefore enables a restriction of the mobility of the coracoscapular joint to the paramedian plane. In taxa with a large crop, a flat facies articularis scapularis is likely to be associated with a reorganization of the pectoral musculature, whereas in procellariiform birds, the transition from a cotyla to a facies articularis appears to have been correlated with the capacity for sustained soaring without wing flapping.

Sex Wise Morphometrical Studies on the Mid Thoracic Ribs of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

Background: The Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) is regarded as one of the biggest antelopes in Asia and safeguarded beneath the IUCN since 2003 and under safeguard of ‘Schedule III’ of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This study focused on the detailed gross morphometrical study of mid thoracic ribs of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus).Methods: The present morphometrical study was carried out in six specimens of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of either sex. The measurements of various parameters of ribs were taken with the help of weighing machine, thread, scale and digital Vernier’s calliper. Result: It was found that the average diameter of the head of the fourth rib was found to be 2.56±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 2.53±0.01 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 2.59±0.01 cm. The average cranio-caudal diameter of the cranial articular facet of the head of 5th rib was found to be 0.97±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 0.95±0.02 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 1.00±0.01 cm. The average diameter of the tubercle of sixth rib at the dorso-ventral aspect was found to be 1.66±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 1.64±0.02 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 1.69±0.02 cm. Similarly, the average minimum length of the neck of sixth rib at the cranial aspect was found to be 0.68±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 0.65±0.02 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 0.70±0.01 cm. The average diameter of vascular groove of seventh rib at the proximal aspect was found to be 0.56±0.01 cm in adult Blue bull. Further, it was measured as 0.52±0.01 cm in females that was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was found to be 0.60±0.01 cm.

An acquired plica-induced notch in the medial femoral condyle in a patient with medial patellar plica syndrome: a case report

Background An inflamed and thickened medial patellar plica (MPP) caused by repeated mechanical irritation from trauma or overuse leads to impingement between the anterior medial femoral condyle and the medial articular facet of the patella and produces pain or clicking, which is known as MPP syndrome. In patients with MPP syndrome, cartilage damage may occur depending on the shape of the MPP and the duration of the impingement. Case presentation Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in a 17-year-old male patient with MPP syndrome showed a hypertrophic MPP along with an abnormal notch in the articular surface of the medial femoral condyle. We considered that the impinged hypertrophic plica between the anterior medial femoral condyle and the medial articular facet of the patella resulted in cartilage damage on the articular surface of the medial femoral condyle. However, during arthroscopic surgery, we found that the cartilage of the notch, which was located beneath the MPP, was completely intact. We concluded that this abnormal notch had developed gradually in the MPP without cartilage damage. Conclusions Surgeons should be mindful that acquired plica-induced notches in the articular surface of the medial femoral condyle can present in patients with MPP syndrome.

A Morphometric and Morphological Study on Dry Adult Cuboid Bones

Introduction: Precise biometric data of cuboid and calcaneocuboid joint are not discussed very distinctly in the text books of Anatomy. A better knowledge of the joint surfaces of cuboid and biometric data would generate a three dimensional modeling of the calcaneocuboid joint and would help in the management of Cuboid Syndrome. Aim: To study about morphological and morphometric analysis in adult dry cuboid bone. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of a Medical College using 60 dry cuboid bones from museum. Each bone was observed for its morphometric analysis as well as its pattern of calcaneal and metatarsal articular facets. Results were statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)software, version 19. Students t-test was applied to find the difference between the mean values of the parameters. Results: Mean medial length of cuboid was 33.41 mm, lateral length was 19.73 mm, height was 26.17 mm, length index was 169.33, vertical and transverse diameters of calcaneal articular facet were 24.24 mm and 16.45 mm respectively, vertical and transverse diameters of metatarsal articular facet were 21.32 mm and 13.85 mm respectively, depth of peroneal groove was 0.63mm. Concavo-convex facet with posteromedial projection and oval or reniform in shape (Type 1A) was the most common calcaneal articular facet and convex pattern was the most common metatarsal articular facet of cuboid. Conclusion: Morphological characterisation of articular facet of cuboid and its morphometric analysis help to understand the degree of movement at calcaneocuboid joint, its associated pathologies and instabilities.

Anatomy and evolution of the pectoral filaments of threadfins (Polynemidae)

The most remarkable anatomical specialization of threadfins (Percomorphacea: Polynemidae) is the division of their pectoral fin into an upper, unmodified fin and a lower portion with rays highly modified into specialized filaments. Such filaments are usually elongate, free from interradial membrane, and move independently from the unmodified fin to explore the environment. The evolution of the pectoral filaments involved several morphological modifications herein detailed for the first time. The posterior articular facet of the coracoid greatly expands anteroventrally during development. Similar expansions occur in pectoral radials 3 and 4, with the former usually acquiring indentations with the surrounding bones and losing association with both rays and filaments. Whereas most percomorphs typically have four or five muscles serving the pectoral fin, adult polynemids have up to 11 independent divisions in the intrinsic pectoral musculature. The main adductor and abductor muscles masses of the pectoral system are completely divided into two muscle segments, each independently serving the pectoral-fin rays (dorsally) and the pectoral filaments (ventrally). Based on the innervation pattern and the discovery of terminal buds in the external surface of the filaments, we demonstrate for the first time that the pectoral filaments of threadfins have both tactile and gustatory functions.