A Cadaveric study on Rectus Sternalis muscle and its clinical significance in Western part of Tamilnadu state (Kongunadu region)

Background: Rectus sternalis is considered as an unusual accessory or supernumerary muscle which appears either unilateral or bilateral in the anterior thoracic wall of human beings. It varies in length, breadth, thickness and incidence among different races and in both sexes. Regarding its origin and insertion still a clear conclusion has not been reached because some authors says it originates and ascends for insertion while some of them opines it originates and descends for insertion. Clinically, its presence also leads to false diagnosis such as Breast tumours, lipoma etc. Aim of the study: To find out the presence of Rectus sternalis muscle in the anterior chest wall during routine dissection. Materials and Methods: 37 well embalmed and preserved cadavers of both sexes which is used for routine dissection to Phase-I MBBS students were taken into condideration. The pectoral region on either side of sternum was dissected in layers and visualised for the presence of Rectus sternalis. Results: Among 37 cadavers dissected, Rectus sternalis was found in the pectoral region of a male and a female cadaver. In male it appeared bilateral, whereas in female it is unilateral. In both the cases it lie superficial to pectoralis major. Conclusion: The incidence of Rectus sternalis reported from our study was 5.4%. In the earlier days it lead to misdiagnosis and made great challenge to radiologists and surgeons, but now-a days with advancement in imaging techniques its presence can be detected clearly thus avoiding unnecessary expenditure and invitro techniques. Clinically it is also used as pedicle flap in breast reconstructive surgeries. KEY WORDS: Cadaver, Dissection, Pectoral region, Rectus sternalis, sternocleidomastoid.

Supernumerary muscle of tarsal tunnel: a case report

Supernumerary muscles are an infrequent fmding during dissections around the ankle. This report focusses on the finding of one such muscle which was found in the tarsal tunnel of the left lower limb unilaterally during routine dissection of a 70 year old male cadaver in Bankura Sammilani Medical College, West Bengal.This supernumerary muscle had a single head of origin from the flexor hallucis longus and posterior intermuscular septum and was traced to its insertion into the flexor digitorum accessorius in the sole and hence was named flexor digitorum accessorius longus, and its relations with the neurovascular bundle were noted. Flexor digitorum accessorius longus may be a cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome so it should be kept in mind during its management. It may also produce symptoms mimicking soft tissue tumors. Thus knowledge of this muscle will be of utmost importance to anatomists, clinicians, radiologists and athletes.

A CLINICO-ANATOMICAL REPORT OF AN ACCESSORY MUSCLE FASCICLE EMANATING FROM SARTORIUS MUSCLE. Informe anatomo-clínico de un fascículo muscular accesorio que emana del músculo sartorio

Los fascículos musculares accesorios se observan raras veces en relación al músculo sartorio (MS) de la extremidad inferior. La descripción del caso existente informa una presencia poco común de un fascículo muscular accesorio visto pasar del MS al músculo vasto medial (VM) encontrado unilateralmente en la cara anterior del muslo derecho de un cadáver masculino indio adulto. La anomalía fue observada por accidente mientras se mostraba la cara extensora del muslo a los estudiantes de pregrado. Deseamos llamar la atención sobre los diversos aspectos de los usos clínicos de tal músculo supernumerario. Los ecografistas deben ser conscientes de la posible presencia de fascículos musculares accesorios mientras investigan esta región antes de la anestesia o de la exploración de esta área. Este músculo accesorio poco común se debe citar en los textos clínicos para advertir a los cirujanos reconstructivos y a los radiólogos. Accessory muscle fascicles are rarely observed in relation to the sartorius muscle (SM) of the lower extremity. The existing case description reports a rare presence of an accessory muscle fascicle seen to pass from the SM to the vastus medialis muscle (VM) found unilaterally in the anterior aspect of the right thigh of an adult Indian male cadaver. The anomaly was observed accidentally while demonstrating the extensor aspect of the thigh to the undergraduate students. We wish to bring attention to the various aspects of clinical usages of such a supernumerary muscle. Ultrasonologists should be aware of the possible presence of accessory muscle fascicles while investigating this region prior to anesthesia or exploration of this area. This unusual accessory muscle should be cited in clinical texts for cautioning the reconstructive surgeons and the radiologists.

UNILATERAL RECTUS STERNALIS MUSCLE: A CASE REPORT.

The Rectus Sternalis muscle is a small supernumerary muscle occasionally present in the anterior thoracic wall. During routine dissection for undergraduate medical students we observed a unilateral left sided rectus sternalis present on the anterior thoracic wall.The knowledge about this variation is very useful for morphologists and anatomists. The presence of this muscle may be mistaken by surgeons, radiologists and physicians for tumor on mammogram or during mastectomy which may increase unnecessary burden on their patients.