A UNIQUE DISORDER OF THE STERNUM : HONEYCOMB STERNA

This article describes an uncommon example of a human sternal developmental anomaly in an anatomical specimen from the Department of Anatomy at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Dhanbad. The non-fusion of lateral ossication centres in the sternebrae caused the uncommonly recognized developmental anomaly, which results in a honeycomb-like appearance of the mesosternum. Sternal deciencies are normally under diagnosed in the clinical literature due to the fact that many instances are asymptomatic. As a result, there is a gap in our modern understanding of the development and anatomical variations of the sternum. Although in the past, large-scale CT investigations have been conducted to explore the incidence of sternal developmental anomalies. A very rare work has been reported on sternal malformations. Most of the sternal abnormalities are clinically insignicant; a lack of awareness of these variants can lead to interpretation of radiological and pathological evidence. Hence, anatomical variants are asymptomatic which is vital in nature.

Honeycomb sterna: an unusual case of a developmental abnormality in the sternum

This report details an unusual case of a human sternal developmental abnormality of an anatomical specimen part of the skeletal collection curated by University College London, Anthropology Department skeletal collection. This rarely reported developmental abnormality is caused by the non-fusion of lateral ossification centres in the sternebrae, resulting in the mesosternum having a honeycomb-like appearance. Sternal defects are typically underreported in the clinical literature as many cases being asymptomatic that they are typically diagnosed incidentally, as such there is a dearth in our current understanding of the development and anatomical variants of the sternum. Although in recent years, large-scale CT studies have investigated the prevalence of sternal developmental abnormalities, these studies have not reported sternal defects similar to the individual presented in this report. While most sternal defects are clinically uneventful, the lack of awareness of these variants can result in misinterpretation of radiological and pathological findings as such an understanding of anatomical variants even when asymptomatic is vital.

Healed Fracture of Superior Horn of Thyroid Cartilage in Autoerotic Asphyxia: An Indication of Prior Activity? A Case Report Utilizing 3D Scanning and Printing of the Larynx

Evidence of prior autoerotic asphyxia is often difficult to establish due to the decedent's efforts to hide the activity from others. In this case report, we suggest that a healed fracture of the thyroid cartilage is indicative of prior autoerotic asphyxia activity. The decedent was a 45-year-old man who was found unclothed on the floor of his bedroom with a belt ligature around the neck. A second rope ligature was loosely wrapped around the decedent's wrists, scrotum, and penis. A definitive escape mechanism was not identified, but a nearby towel and barbell weight may have comprised a possible escape mechanism. There was no known history of depression or prior autoerotic activity. Autopsy was notable for the presence of a healed fracture of the right superior horn of the thyroid cartilage. Three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning and 3D printing was utilized to preserve the anatomical findings prior to histologic sampling. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of 3D surface scanning and 3D printing for the purpose of documenting a forensic finding prior to alteration of the anatomical specimen for histologic sampling. Acute fractures of the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage are not infrequently seen in ligature hanging. Therefore, the presence of a healed fracture in the setting of autoerotic asphyxia likely indicates prior activity. Histologic sampling of the laryngeal cartilages to detect occult healed fractures in autoerotic asphyxia may be useful. Three-dimensional scanning and printing may alleviate concerns for specimen alteration due to histology sampling.

Auricular pavilion arteriography in cattle

Although bovine auricular pavilion has been considered to have large surface vessels, descriptions of its vascularization are scarce. Notwithstanding this region has been used as an alternative route of administration of drugs. With help of an Anatomical specimen, arteriography and dissection have revealed a vast vascular network in the auricle. In this sense, once considered, this knowledge is capable of minimizing prospective complications from the unsuitable use of this region for therapeutic and anesthetic procedures. This study aimed to standardize and describe the arteriography of bovine auricular pavilion in order to acquire a greater knowledge about the local vasculature. Five steers, about one-year-old and weighing about 200 kg, were used, among which three Holstein x Gir crossbred and two Gir purebred. None had lesions in the ear. Of these, two animals were submitted to the standardization of procedures for arteriographies; two others underwent the examination itself. Another bovine, from necroscopy, was subjected to dissection of the ear. The arteriographic images and anatomic dissection pictures were compared to describe anatomical relationships. Arteriography enabled the visualization of lateral, lateral intermediate, intermediate, medial intermediate auricular branches, as well as the medial auricular branch. Conversely, the dissection of the superficial cervicoauricular muscle, between the auricular pavilion and the cornual process base, indicated a poor subcutaneous vascularization of this region, contrasting the rich vascularization near the auricular pavilion. The auricular pavilion arteriography identified a complex vascular network, which in terms of a practical application precludes the administration of slow-absorption drugs in this area. Nevertheless, the dissection images showed the poor subcutaneous vascularization of superficial cervicoauricular muscle surrounding area, making this site more favorable for the administration of long-acting substances.

Plastination: A plastic, human presentation of anatomical specimen

No abstract is available