Clinical anatomy : official journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists & the British Association of Clinical Anatomists
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The menisco-femoral ligaments were studied in 60 knees from 30 dissecting room cadavers. The anterior horns of the menisci were attached to the intercondylar area of the femur by discrete antero-medial or antero-lateral menisco-femoral ligaments, separate from the anterior cruciate ligament, in 15% of knees for each meniscus, more frequently than previously appreciated; these anterior horn ligaments may exacerbate a meniscal tear. The posterior horn of the lateral meniscus was connected with the intercondylar area of the femur in 100% of knees. ⋯ We propose renaming these the pre-cruciate postero-lateral menisco-femoral ligament and post-cruciate postero-lateral menisco-femoral ligament, respectively, to avoid confusion with the ligaments of the anterior horns. The menisco-femoral ligaments may function in controlling movement of the menisci, especially during rotation of the knee. The posterior horn of the medial meniscus has no direct femoral attachment and this may be a factor in the increased risk of injury to this meniscus.
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Superior laryngeal nerve anaesthesia is frequently used to facilitate endotracheal intubation in the awake patient. We have modified the transcutaneous approach to this nerve block to employ a short bevel needle. This improves tactile perception in performing the procedure thus simplifying identification of the correct depth of injection. ⋯ Resistance to the passage of the short bevel needle was provided by the lateral glossoepiglottic fold, not the thyrohyoid membrane as we had expected. Of 40 injections, 39 were deemed successful for a success rate of 97.5%. We conclude that this is a simple and highly successful technique for performing superior laryngeal nerve anaesthesia.
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A survey of U. S. departments of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry shows that 39% of the respondent anatomy departments reported declines in the numbers of graduate students taking the human gross anatomy course. Similarly, 42% of the departments reported decreases in the numbers of graduate students teaching human gross anatomy. ⋯ The percentages of departments reporting increases in students taking or teaching their courses was 6% for human gross anatomy and 0% to 19% for physiology and biochemistry courses. To reverse this trend the establishment of specific programs for the training of gross anatomy teachers is advocated. These new teachers will be available as the need for them is increasingly recognized in the future.
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One hundred eighty-one dissected hands were examined to study the pattern of extensor tendons on the dorsum of the hand. Extensor digitorum often had multiple tendons for the middle and ring fingers. Its contribution to the little finger was usually by a bifurcating tendon common with that of the ring finger. ⋯ It was always linked to extensor digitorum either by receiving one or part of its tendon or by an intertendinous connection. Two accessory muscles were seen, one was extensor indicis brevis replacing the proper muscle. The other, the extensor medii brevis, was distributed to the middle finger.