Clinical anatomy : official journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists & the British Association of Clinical Anatomists
-
The internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) plays a putative role in thermoregulation of the spinal cord. Cold cutaneous venous blood may cool, while warm venous blood from muscles and brown fat areas may warm the spinal cord. The regulating mechanisms for both cooling and warming are still unknown. ⋯ Furthermore, the walls of the proximal parts of the posterior intercostal veins contain plicae that allow the vessel to dilate, thereby allowing it to serve as a pressure chamber. It is suggested that a cold induced closure of the intercostal/azygos opening can result in retrograde blood flow from the proximal posterior intercostal vein towards the IVVP. This blood flow would be composed of warm blood from the paravertebral brown adipose tissue and blood containing metabolic heat from the muscles draining into the intercostal veins.
-
This study was designed to examine the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI) muscle from a gross anatomical perspective. The objective was to isolate and identify the OCI myodural bridge, while examining its course and contributing elements. An earlier study of the posterior cervical spine briefly reported a connection between the OCI and the cervical dura mater. ⋯ In conclusion, the OCI was attached to the dura mater in all of the 14 muscle specimens. We hypothesize that the OCI myodural bridge may play a physiological role in monitoring dural tension and preventing dural infolding. It may also contribute to certain clinical symptoms manifesting from alterations in dural tone.
-
Review Case Reports Multicenter Study
Evidence to support that adventitial cysts, analogous to intraneural ganglion cysts, are also joint-connected.
Cystic adventitial disease (CAD) is a rare condition in which cyst is found within a vessel, typically producing symptoms of vascular compromise. Most commonly located in the popliteal artery near the knee, it has been reported in arteries and veins throughout the body. Its pathogenesis has been poorly understood and various surgical approaches have been recommended. ⋯ Our review of the literature and imaging studies revealed unrecognized joint connections in CAD to the knee and other joints as well as evidence that the MGA is the conduit in cases of CAD of the popliteal artery. We believe that adventitial cysts originate in neighboring joints and dissect within articular (vascular) branches. In our opinion, the unifying articular theory and the principles introduced for intraneural ganglion cysts apply equally to common and rare sites of adventitial cysts.
-
The multisystem nature of female chronic pelvic pain (CPP) makes this condition a challenge for physical therapists and other health care providers to manage. This article uses a case scenario to illustrate commonly reported somatic, visceral, and neurologic symptoms and their associated health and participation impact in a female with CPP. ⋯ This article provides a detailed discussion of the relevant clinical anatomy with specific attention to complex interrelationships between anatomic structures potentially leading to the patient's pain. In addition, it describes the physical therapy management specific to this case, including examination, differential diagnosis, and progression of interventions.
-
Subpectoral breast augmentation surgery under regional anesthesia requires the selective neural blockade of the medial and lateral pectoral nerves to diminish postoperative pain syndromes. The purpose of this cadaver study is to demonstrate a reliable ultrasound guided approach to selectively target the pectoral nerves and their branches while sparing the brachial plexus cords. ⋯ Dissection demonstrates that the medial and lateral pectoral nerves were well stained while leaving the brachial plexus cords unstained. We show that 10 ml of an injected solution is sufficient to stain all the medial and lateral pectoral nerve branches without a proximal extension to the cords of the brachial plexus.