Clinical anatomy : official journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists & the British Association of Clinical Anatomists
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Pelvic ring stability is maintained passively by both the osseous and the ligamentous apparatus. Therapeutic approaches focus mainly on fracture patterns, so ligaments are often neglected. When they rupture along with the bone after pelvic ring fractures, disrupting stability, ligaments need to be considered during reconstruction and rehabilitation. ⋯ These results were validated using plastination and the structures were identified. Pelvic ligaments are probably involved in sacral avulsion caused by lateral traction. Therefore, ligaments should to be taken into account in diagnosis of open-book injury and subsequent therapy.
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Nerve transfer is a valid surgical procedure for restoring lower-extremity function after lumbosacral plexus nerve root avulsion. We determined the anatomical feasibility of transferring the obturator and genitofemoral nerves for this purpose. The obturator, genitofemoral and femoral nerves, and the S1 and S2 nerve roots on both sides were exposed in 10 cadaver specimens. ⋯ Similarly, the number of fibers found in the S1 nerve root was in the range 5,200-8,900. The genitofemoral nerve contained approximately half the number of fibers (3,000-4,500) presenting in the S2 nerve root (4,600-8,400). The obturator and genitofemoral nerves could be suitable donor nerves for repairing lumbosacral plexus nerve root avulsion.
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Although the inferior petro-occipital vein has been recently used for vascular access to the cavernous sinus, few detailed descriptions of its anatomy are in the literature. We aimed to investigate the morphology and relationships of this vessel. Twelve latex-injected cadaveric heads (24 sides) were dissected to identify the inferior petro-occipital vein and anatomic details documented. ⋯ The inferior petro-occipital vein is present in most humans. This primarily extracranial vessel communicates with intracranial venous sinuses and should be considered an emissary vein. Knowledge of this vessel's exact anatomy may be useful to cranial base surgeons and endovascular specialists.