Anatomical Sciences

Circum-nasal and nasal cavity morphology add to the picture of the Sima de los Huesos specimens as, at one level, representing a distinct morph and, at another, displaying individual variation. They developed a robust, midlinegrooved, three-dimensional spinal ridge lying anteriorly in the nasal cavity floor that was distended posteriorly over the nasal cavity floor, and, typically, an expansive, three-dimensional patch of rugose bone on the nasal cavity wall where a conchal crest would otherwise lie. They vary, for example, in degree of topographic relief of the nasal cavity wall, expression of the spinal ridge, and development of nasal crests and fossae. Lacking an anterior nasal spine, Sima specimens differ from extant and most fossil Homo sapiens, some specimens

An imaginary line measurement of the thorax is important for clinical need. There are several imaginary anatomical lines on the thorax that can be measured directly using a tape meter, such as: midclavicular line, midaxilla line, chest width, chest circumference, distance of incisura jugularis sterni to the processusxiphoideus, intermidclavicular line, the upper thoracic dome and the lower thoracic dome. The objective of this article is to provide information on the average anatomical imaginary line value on the thoracic of the adult male. The data was then used for manufacturing of a thoracic anatomical phantom. Some marks of imaginary lines formed by clavicula, costae, and sternum were used as a reference in measurement. The anatomical imaginary line measurements were performed using a tape meter directly on 10 adult male samples, and carried out based on Chest X ray image of the same samples on a Computer Radiography (CR) workstation computer. Both measurements were then analyzed; ultrasonography examination was used to get soft tissue thickness for correction. Average values for midclavicular line variable of measurement using a tape measure was (29.10 ± 1.80) cm and the average value for the midclavicular line variable of measurement using Chest X ray on a CR workstation computer was (21.24 ± 0.73) cm. The average values for the variables intermidclavicular line measurement using a tape measure was (19.60 ± 0.69) cm and the average value for the variable intermidclavicular line of measurement using Chest X ray on a CR workstation computer was (16.53 ± 1.19) cm. The average values for the variables distance between incisura jugularis sterni to processus xiphoideus on the measurement using the tape meter was (20.40± 1.95) cm and the average value of the same variable measurement using Chest X ray image on the CR workstation computer was (18.32± 1.48) cm. From the three variables that can be seen for midclavicular line variables there is a difference 7.86 cm between measurements using a tape meter and X Ray image sample on the CR workstation. The difference for intermidclavicular line is 3.07 cm and the different for variable of distance between incisurajugularissterni to the processus xiphoideus is 2.10 cm. Ultrasonography (USG) examination result of soft tissue thickness was (3.08 ± 0.65) cm. There is a difference in the measurement results using tape meter with the measurement at Chest X ray image at the CR workstation about the imaginary line of the thorax. I. INTRODUCTION Anatomical imaginary line measurements of the thorax are useful for clinical necessities. There are several imaginary anatomical lines on the thorax that can be measured directly using a tape meter, including midclavicular line, distance incisurajugularissterni to processus xiphoideus, distance between midclavicular [1]. As a correction, ultrasound examination was used to obtain soft tissue thickness. The imaginary line of thoracic anatomy is an imaginary line for clinical guidance to know the normal border of the organ anatomy in thoracic cavity, for examples of the boundaries of the heart, liver and lung. Enlargement of organ can be seen from the organ's boundary with the imaginary line of anatomy. Measurement of cirtometry for healthy adult men during respiration was conducted to see correlation between cirtometry with lung volume. Measurements was performed using elastic tape meter in the axilla area, xiphoid and umbilical processes at rest, maximal inspiration and maximal expiration of the sample under supine circumstances [2]. An imaginary line anatomical line such as midclavicularlinea, the intermidclavicular and distance between incisura jugularis sterni to processusxiphoideus can also be measured on the Chest X ray, Posteroanterior position. On Chest X Ray examination, Posterior Anterior (PA) is a standard position for examination on the thorax. The results of the radiographs on the Chest X Ray examination of the PA position will be visible as actual conditions. To obtain enough inspiration, standard position of the PA with the patient standing is required. Recognition of these lines as normal radiological anatomy is important given that abnormal appearances may indicate disease. In addition, it allows development of an appropriate differential diagnosis before obtaining further imaging [3]. A good quality PA chest radiograph is an important indicator of the cardiac size. However, Chest X Ray image is still more accessible and feasible for most of the physicians. Chest X Ray image and echocardiography are also used for determination of the heart size [4]. The objective of this work is to provide average anatomical imaginary lines value on the thoracic of the adult male. The data can be used for manufacturing of a thoracic anatomical phantom.

Due to disparity regarding the age at which skeletal maturation of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis occurs in forensic and biological literature, this study provides recalibrated multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) age standards for the Australian (Queensland) population, using a Bayesian statistical approach. The sample comprises retrospective cranial/cervical MSCT scans obtained from 448 males and 416 females aged birth to 20 years from the Skeletal Biology and Forensic Anthropology Research Osteological Database. Fusion status of the synchondrosis was scored using a modified six-stage scoring tier on an MSCT platform, with negligible observer error (κ = 0.911 ± 0.04, ICC = 0.994). Bayesian transition analysis indicates that females are most likely to transition to complete fusion at 13.1 years and males at 15.6 years. Posterior densities were derived for each morphological stage, with complete fusion of the synchondrosis attained in all Queensland males over 16.3 years of age and females aged 13.8 years and older. The results demonstrate significant sexual dimorphism in synchondrosis fusion and are suggestive of intra-population variation between major geographic regions in Australia. This study contributes to the growing repository of contemporary anthropological standards calibrated for the Queensland milieu to improve the efficacy of the coronial process for medico-legal death investigation. As a stand-alone age indicator, the basicranial synchondrosis may be consulted as an exclusion criterion when determining the age of majority that constitutes 17 years in Queensland forensic practice.

Authors report here a survey of medical student feedback on the effectiveness of two different anatomy curricula at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. Undergraduate medical students seeking the Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery (M.B.B.S.) degrees were divided into two groups by the duration of their respective anatomy curriculum. Group 1 students had completed a longer, 18-month curriculum whereas Group 2 counterparts followed a shorter, 12-month curriculum. Students' responses to a questionnaire were studied. Analysis of feedback from Groups 1 and 2 contrasted the effectiveness of the two anatomy curricula. The coverage of gross anatomy was rated adequate or more than adequate by 98% of Group 1 and 91% of Group 2. A desire for greater emphasis on gross anatomy teaching was expressed by 24% of Group 1 and 50% of Group 2 (P 5 0.000). Two-thirds of all students felt that the one-year program was not adequate, and 90% of Group 1 and 74% of Group 2 felt that clinically oriented anatomy teaching required more emphasis. Dissection was helpful or very helpful for 94% of Group 1 and 88% of Group 2. This study suggests that a better understanding of gross anatomy was gained from a course of longer duration (18 months with 915 contact hr vs. 12 months with 671 contact hr). Students who completed the longer anatomy course had greater appreciation of the need for clinically oriented anatomy teaching and dissection.

Human anatomy education relies heavily on the use of high-quality images of cadaveric dissections for student reference. Despite continual advances in the available camera equipment for digital photography, depth of field remains a limitation when photographing anatomical specimens. To circumvent this issue, some anatomists use focus-stacking algorithms to enhance depth of field in anatomical images. Focus-stacking is a commonly used technique in microscopy whereby image processing software is used to fuse multiple digital images with different focal planes to create a single image with an extended depth of focus. This procedure aims to improve the quality of images used in anatomical education; however, objective evaluation of image quality is notoriously difficult. This is largely due to an inability to code algorithms that adequately parallel the human visual system (HVS). For this reason, subjective assessment has remained the gold standard for image quality evaluation. The goal of this study was to determine if focus-stacked images were superior to non-focus-stacked images in subjective image quality. For this comparison, focus-stacked cadaveric images were paired with identical non-focus-stacked controls (25 focus-stacked, 25 non-focus-stacked) and analyzed for image quality by human subjects. Participants ranked the images on a slider labelled with five adjectives: " Bad " , " Poor " , " Fair " , " Good " , and " Excellent " , and scores were converted to integers between 1-100 for analysis. Overall, focus-stacked images received a significantly higher overall subjective rating (78.34mm ± 1.14) than non-focus-stacked images (68.04mm ± 1.71; p < 0.01). Focus-stacked images were also chosen more frequently (64.44%) than non-FS images (6.67%; p < 0.01) in side-by-side comparisons. These data suggest a preference for focus-stacked photographs for clarity and quality in cadaveric imaging. Ultimately, the purpose of capturing cadaveric images is to include them in educational material directed toward human anatomy students. Therefore, a difference between perceived image quality may have important implications for the creation of high quality educational material in human anatomy and student learning.

Anatomy departments across Africa were surveyed regarding the type of curriculum and method of delivery of their medical courses. While the response rate was low, African anatomy departments appear to be in line with the rest of the world in that many have introduced problem based learning, have hours that are within the range of western medical schools and appear to be well resourced. Human body dissection is a constant and strong aspect of the majority of the courses surveyed. The staff to student ratio appears to be relatively high in Africa, but in many of the responding African institutions, there appears to be little difficulty in attracting suitable faculty (including those who are medically qualified) to teach anatomy. Retaining this faculty, in some cases, may be difficult because of a global demand for anatomy educators. Anat Sci Ed 1:111–118, 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.

Anatomy departments across Africa were surveyed regarding the type of curriculum and method of delivery of their medical courses. While the response rate was low, African anatomy departments appear to be in line with the rest of the world in that many have introduced problem based learning, have hours that are within the range of western medical schools and appear to be well resourced. Human body dissection is a constant and strong aspect of the majority of the courses surveyed. The staff to student ratio appears to be relatively high in Africa, but in many of the responding African institutions, there appears to be little difficulty in attracting suitable faculty (including those who are medically qualified) to teach anatomy. Retaining this faculty, in some cases, may be difficult because of a global demand for anatomy educators.

Introduction: Median nerve is formed in axilla by contributions from medial and lateral cords of brachial plexus. It descends in the arm, forearm and then through carpal tunnel in close conjunction with flexor tendons of forearm. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy. Median nerve cross sectional area (CSA) and ratio of nerve major axis to minor axis (flattening ratio) serve as potential diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome. Median nerve cross sectional area and flattening ratio (FR) can be assessed by ultrasonography (US). Aim of the study was to assess median nerve by US and tabulate mean values for CSA and FR in asymptomatic population. This would serve to limit the cut-off values that differentiate asymptomatic nerves from neuropathic nerves. Material & Methods: Study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, KGMU, Lucknow. Fifty randomly selected asymptomatic volunteers (undergraduate students: 30 males, 20 females) participated in the study...