Bilateral origin of the internal thoracic artery from the third part of the subclavian artery a case report

The routine use of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) as a conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery has highlighted the need to appreciate this vessel’s anatomic variations. The usual origin of this vessel is from the first part of the subclavian artery, occasionally from the second and rarely from the third. Henriques-Pino and Prates described a unilateral origin from the third part on the left and Vorster et al on the right. Our cadaveric case report presents an unusual bilateral origin of the ITA arising from the third part of the subclavian artery in a 25-year-old Black South African female. The ITA arose from the ventral aspect, 7.3 cm on the right side and 8.5 cm on the left side from the origin of the subclavian artery, and inclined acutely inferiorly and medially, anterior to the distal attachment of the scalenus anterior m., followed the inner border of the first rib for a short distance and, thereafter, continued its usual course in the thorax. This appears to be the first case report presenting a bilateral origin of the ITA from the third part of the subclavian artery.     

Origin and incidence of xiphoid branch of the internal thoracic artery

The study presents the incidence of a variant terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery (ITA). The ITA’s were cannulated in situ, injected with coloured latex and dissected together with its branches in 62 cadavers. Unlike the usual termination of the ITA bifurcating into the musculophrenic and superior epigastric arteries, this third branch arose from the medial border of the ITA at the level of the 6th costal cartilage. As it descends it inclines medially towards the angle between the xiphoid process and the 7th costal cartilage, giving off 2 or 3 fine branches to the lower sternum. It then passes deep to this angle and can be observed on the anterior surface of the xiphoid process, terminating in fine branches distributed to the inferior aspect of the xiphoid cartilage. It is proposed that this branch at the “trifurcation” of the ITA be termed the xiphoid branch. This branch was noted in 61.3%. An incidence of 30.7% was seen on the right and 21% on the left with bilateral presence in 9.7%. The xiphoid branch contributes to the supply to the lower sternal region and may be of special importance when the collateral supply to the region is compromised in the event of the internal thoracic or superior epigastric artery damage or when used as a conduit in coronary artery by-pass grafts.     

Lateral costal branch of the internal thoracic artery

The lateral costal branch (LCB) of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) was studied because its presence sometimes may reduce the blood flow of the ITA when it is used for myocardial revascularization (Singh and Sosa, 1981). The ITA of 90 cadavers of adults of both sexes, whose ages ranged from 20 to 84 years, was studied after neoprene latex injection to determine its incidence, its relation to the phrenic nerve and first rib, its diameter, and the distance between the origin of the ITA and the origin of the LCB. We found the LCB in 16.6% of the cases, with bilateral presence in 5.5%. Unilateral rightside incidence was 11.1%, and left unilateral incidence was not observed. The LCB originated from the ITA in all cases, with a distance of origin along the ITA of 23.7 + 6.7 mm on the right side and 29.5 ± 6.4 mm on the left side. The mean diameter of the LCB was 1.7% ± 0.8 mm. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

翻转胸廓内动脉冠状动脉旁路术的实验研究

目的 研究翻转胸廓内动脉用于冠状动脉旁路术的可行性。方法 对１０具成人尸体胸廓内动脉的特性进行观察,并测量左、右各助间点到ＩＴＡ起点、冠状动脉左前降支中点的距离。结果 于近端切断胸廓内动脉可以保证该动脉逆向供血,血供来源于下位肋间动脉、肌隔动脉和腹壁上动脉。左侧第３肋间以下的各肋间中点,到ＩＴＡ起点处的长度明显长于其到冠状动脉左前降支中点的距离;右侧第４肋间以下的各肋间中点,到ＩＴＡ起点处的长距离     

Accessory inferior thyroid artery and internal thoracic artery originating from the thyrocervical trunk

During the routine dissection of an 87-year-old Caucasian male cadaver, an accessory inferior thyroid artery originating from the left suprascapular artery was detected. In addition to the existence of inferior and superior thyroid arteries, a third thyroid artery arising from the left suprascapular artery was present at the left of these arteries; this artery was determined as the accessory inferior thyroid artery. Again, the left internal thoracic artery arose from the thyrocervical trunk. The internal thoracic artery originated near the thyrocervical trunk’s origin point and descended vertically. The thyrocervical trunk ended near the medial border of the anterior scalene muscle after giving rise to the inferior thyroid, transverse cervical and suprascapular arteries.     

胸椎上关节突基底外1/3点为椎弓根进钉点的应用解剖

目的:研究胸椎上关节突基底外1/3点与椎弓根的解剖关系,为胸椎椎弓根穿钉提供一种新的定位方法。方法:选取45具成人干燥骨标本(男25具,女20具),测量胸椎上关节突基底外1/3点至相应椎弓根上缘、下缘、中轴线垂直距离,至内缘、外缘、中轴线水平距离,最适内倾角度、最适尾倾角度、最大内倾角度、最大尾倾角度。据测量结果设置穿钉参数,在5具尸体上模拟穿钉,CT评价螺钉位置。结果:各组长度、角度之性差比较无显著统计学意义(P>0.05)。胸椎上关节突基底外1/3点在椎弓根上缘、下缘、内缘、外缘所成框内,与椎弓根中轴线接近;最适内倾角度T1￣T3为25°,T4￣T10为15°,最适尾倾角度10°,据此参数在5具尸体上模拟穿钉均获成功。结论:胸椎上关节突基底外1/3点作胸椎椎弓根穿钉定位点,具有准确、可靠、简单实用等优点,是一良好的解剖定位标志。     

肩胛背动脉在肩胛骨内侧缘体表投影的解剖学研究

目的　通过对成人肩胛背动脉的解剖学观察及测量,研究从体表标志确定肩胛背动脉走行路线。 方法　解剖尸体26具（共52侧）,显露肩胛背动脉,测量肩胛背动脉直径及其与肩胛骨内侧缘距离,所得数据经SPSS12.0统计软件处理。 结果 肩胛背动脉与肩胛骨上角距离为(0.34±0.25) cm,与肩胛冈内侧端为(1.58±0.41) cm,与肩胛骨下角为(3.45±0.28) cm,得出肩胛背动脉走行于肩胛骨内侧缘内侧,在距离肩胛骨上角0.34 cm、肩胛冈内侧端1.58 cm、肩胛骨下角3.45 cm三点处做一连线,该连线即为肩胛背动脉的体表投影。 结论 肩胛背动脉的体表投影为医务工作者应该掌握的知识要点,可避免操作过程中的动脉损伤,并可为确定肩胛背动脉皮瓣的中轴核心提供解剖学依据。     

Abnormal origin of internal thoracic and vertebral arteries

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability of the origin of the internal thoracic and vertebral arteries after a cadaver demonstrated abnormal origins for both vessels. The arteries were studied in 60 adult cadavers and measurements taken to adjacent structures. In one cadaver the right internal thoracic artery originated from the third part of the subclavian artery (one of 120 arteries; 0.83%). The same cadaver presented with the left vertebral artery originating directly from the aortic arch between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Two other cadavers also presented with abnormal vertebral arteries, making it three of 60 left vertebral arteries (5%). These results are comparable to the established range in the literature. The internal thoracic artery is used for revascularization in coronary artery diseases and as this area is also used for subclavian vein catheterization, it is important to be aware of this rare variation concerning the internal thoracic artery. This study reports an important variation in the origins of the internal thoracic and vertebral artery in a singular cadaver. Clin. Anat. 11:33–37, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Typology of the subclavian and axillary lymphatics

Detailed dissections were performed bilaterally on 90 human adult cadavers to obtain more accurate data on the course and origin of the subclavian lymphatics and especially of the subclavian lymphatic trunk. We classified these into four types from the morphology. Type A (46.1 %): The subclavian lymphatics were located along the medial edge of the subclavian vein edge close to the lateral thoracic wall. In this type, the subclavian lymphatics consisted of the subclavian node chain, interconnecting vessels, and short lymph trunks. Type B (20.0%): A large connecting vessel ran along the lateral edge of the subclavian vein or on the subclavian artery, with the result that the trunk was located away from the thoracic wall. In the Type B configuration, the vessels originated from the nodes near the origin of the thoracoacromial artery. Type C (21.7%): The Type B large collecting vessel was observed with the Type A subclavian lymphatics. Type D (12.2%): Lymph vessels were too fine to be found and dissected in the subclavian lymphatics. These observations provide critical information for an unproved clinical examination and lymphatic resection of breast cancer. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The superior group of vessels in the falciform ligament: anatomical and radiological correlation

AIM: The purpose of this study was to clarify the anatomical detail of the superior group of vessels in the falciform ligament in terms of the relationship with the internal thoracic vessels, inferior phrenic vessels, and the intrahepatic portal vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: (1) Anatomical study: we dissected eight adult human cadavers (seven normal and one cirrhotic liver) to determine the relationship between the superior group of vessels in the falciform ligament, the internal thoracic vessels, and the inferior phrenic vessels. (2) Clinical study: we determined the origin and destination of the superior group of veins demonstrated in 8 of 4,006 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent the contrast enhanced CT scans. RESULTS: (1) Anatomical study: the superior group of vessels anastomosed the right (n = 4), left (n = 2), and both (n = 2) internal thoracic vessels. They also anastomosed the left (n = 4), right (n = 1), and both (n = 2) inferior phrenic vessels. (2) Clinical study: the origin of the veins was identified as the left medial branch (n = 4), left lateral branch (n = 1), both the lateral and medial branches (n = 1), and the vein from the umbilical portion (n = 2) of the left portal vein. The drainage vein was identified as the left (n = 3), right (n = 2), and the both (n = 1) internal thoracic veins. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the anastomoses between the superior group of vessels of the falciform ligament, the internal thoracic vessels, the inferior phrenic vessels, and the intrahepatic portal vein. These pre-existing anastomoses would develop as porto-systemic shunt in patients with portal hypertension.     

The lateral thoracic artery passing through duplicated axillary vein: A case report

The axillary vein is a large‐blood vessel that lies on the medial side to the axillary artery. The veins of the axilla are more abundant than the arteries and their variations were extremely common. During educational dissection, a rare form of the axillary vein accompanying arterial variation was founded in left arm of 70‐year‐old female cadaver. The axillary vein was divided into two large veins, anterior and posterior axillary veins according to their anatomical position. The lateral‐thoracic artery arose from the second part of the axillary artery and passed through the gap of duplicated axillary vein. Before the lateral‐thoracic artery passed through the gap of duplicated axillary vein, the lateral‐thoracic artery gave‐off an additional branch, which descended superficial to the anterior axillary vein. It surrounded the anterior axillary vein as annular form and the diameter of surrounded part of the anterior axillary vein became narrow. This novel case was reported and its clinical implications of such a variant were discussed. Clin. Anat. 26:1014–1016, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Bilateral duplicated internal jugular veins: case study and literature review

A rare bilateral duplication of the internal jugular vein (IJV) was discovered during cadaveric dissection. From each jugular foramen, a single IJV descended to the level of the hyoid bone then divided into medial and lateral veins. The medial IJVs traveled in the carotid sheath; the lateral IJVs coursed posterolateral to the sheath across the lateral cervical region (posterior triangle) of the neck. On the right side, medial and lateral IJVs entered the subclavian vein separately. C2-C3 anterior rami and the suprascapular artery passed between the medial and lateral IJVs. The right external jugular vein passed aberrantly between the heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) into the subclavian vein anterior to the lateral IJV. On the left side, the medial IJV drained into a large bulbous jugulovertebrosubclavian (JVS) sinus that received six main vessels. The lateral IJV diverged posterolaterally toward the border of the trapezius muscle, received the transverse cervical vein, and then turned sharply anteromedially to drain into the JVS sinus. The lateral IJV also gave an aberrant additional large vein that passed laterally around the omohyoid muscle before entering the JVS sinus. The left external jugular vein paralleled the anterior border of SCM before passing posterolaterally to terminate in the JVS sinus. Jugular vein anomalies of this magnitude are very rare. Determining the frequency of multiple IJVs is hampered by inconsistent terminology. We suggest that IJV duplication differs from fenestration anatomically and, potentially, developmentally. Criteria for characterizing IJV duplication and fenestration are proposed. The mechanism of development and the clinical significance of multiple IJVs are discussed.     

A case of right partial and double internal jugular veins

We present a very rare case of right partial and double internal jugular veins, found in an 86-year-old Japanese female cadaver during a student dissection practice session in 2002 at Osaka Dental University. In this case, the right internal jugular vein separated into medial and lateral branches at a level with the middle of the fifth cervical vertebra. Both branches had the same thickness as an internal jugular vein and poured into the right subclavian vein. A slender venous space slit was formed by these two branches and the right subclavian vein. The inferior belly of the right omohyoid muscle and the inferior root of the right ansa cervicalis passed through the superior region in this venous space. To our knowledge, this case has never been reported previously. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the incidence based on existing references for similar cases and speculated on the development based on our findings. We considered the medial branch was the right internal jugular vein and the lateral branch was the communicating branch between the external and internal jugular veins.     

The superior epigastric artery does not pass through Larrey's space (trigonum sternocostale)

The passage of the superior epigastric artery (SEA), the terminal branch of the internal thoracic artery (ITA), through the inferior orifice of the thorax differs in different reports. According to some, it passes through Larrey's space (trigonum sternocostale), therefore through a diaphragmatic orifice, but according to others it passes in front of the diaphragm and the transverse abdominal muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the position of the SEA in its thoracoabdominal segment. We carried out a series of 14 dissections (10 on embalmed cadavers and 4 on unembalmed cadavers), and a study of images from the Visible Human Project. Dissections always led to the same conclusions. After having dissected the trigonum sternocostale, we observed that no vascular element was present in the space, which was obstructed downwards by the parietal peritoneum and limited forwards by the aponeurosis of the transverse abdominal muscle. Inferior digitations of transversus thoracis were joined with the transversus abdominis. The SEA passed in front of the plane formed by these two muscles while the sternal and costal parts of the diaphragm were behind this plane. Whatever the level of the section of the Visible Human Project, there was always a musculoaponeurotic plane between Larrey's space and the superior epigastric artery and both veins. Larrey's space, or trigonum sternocostale, was limited medially by the lateral border of the sternal part of the diaphragm, laterally by the medial border of the costal part of the diaphragm, and anteriorly by the musculoaponeurotic plane formed by the transversus thoracis above and the transversus abdominis, below without a clear boundary between those muscles. The SEA, the terminal branch of the ITA, passed in front of this musculoaponeurotic plane.

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Electronic Supplementary Material The french version of this article is available in the form of electronic supplementary material and can be obtained by using the Springer Link server located at . This work was the subject of two reports for the Applied Anatomy Certificate at the Faculty of Medicine Lyon-Nord     

Morphological study of the ansa cervicalis and the phrenic nerve

Morphological features of ansa cervicalis and phrenic nerve were studied in 106 cadavers. Ansa cervicalis was located medial to the internal jugular vein in 63% (medial type) and lateral to the vein in 33.7% (lateral type). Ansa cervicalis was derived from a combination of C1-C4 spinal segments, with C1-C3 being the most frequent pattern (87.5%). In >60% the ansa was bilaterally symmetrical. The distribution of medial and lateral types was equal on left and right sides of the body. The segmental composition of the inferior root was higher in the medial type and also on the left side of the body. In the lateral type the branches that formed the inferior root frequently (75%) formed a common trunk before joining the superior root, but in 74.8% of the medial type they joined the superior root independently. The phrenic nerve was derived from C4 and C5 in 52%. The C4 segment was present in the phrenic nerve in all cases except one. Additional phrenic components that pass anterior to the subclavian vein were defined as accessory phrenic nerves and found in 28.7%, while those passing posterior to the same vein were defined as secondary phrenic nerves (19.8%). Most of the accessory phrenic nerves contained a C5 segment and the nerve to subclavius was the commonest source. Various relationships between the ansa cervicalis and the phrenic nerve are investigated and, based on these findings, two separate classifications for the two nerves are suggested.     

右肺肺段和亚肺段支气管和血管的矢状断层解剖学研究

目的：研究右肺肺段和亚肺段支气管和血管在矢状断面上的配布规律.方法：利用15例胸部连续矢状断层标本和2例多层螺旋CT图像,追踪观察了右肺肺段和亚肺段支气管和血管,并据此寻找在矢状断面上划分右肺肺段的方法.结果：在右主支气管杈层面上,右肺上叶动脉发出尖段动脉和前段动脉,右肺下叶支气管向后发出上段支气管、向下发出内侧底段支气管.在叶间动脉层面上,右肺上叶支气管发出尖、后、前段支气管,基底干支气管发出前、外侧和后底段支气管.在叶间动脉分叉层面上,后段静脉居前、后段支气管之间,尖段静脉与前段静脉合成尖前静脉,中叶支气管分为外、内侧段支气管,下叶动脉发出的段级动脉居相应支气管的上方.在右心房右侧第二层面上,右肺上、中叶的支气管和血管已为亚段级,在右肺下叶内,肺段支气管居中,其上、下方分别为相应的肺动脉和肺静脉.结论：在矢状断面上,右侧肺段内支气管和血管相对集中,且容易显示其发出处和长轴,故矢状断面是显示右肺肺段和亚肺段支气管和血管的优势断面.     

The osteo-muscular dorsal scapular (OMDS) flap. Anatomic basis of a new pedicled flap for mandibular reconstruction

The fibula free flap has become the dominant free flap for all mandible reconstructions, except in case of severe peripheral vascular disease. In these cases we propose to use the pedicled osteo-muscular dorsal scapular flap as an alternative technique. This flap is an original technique, it is pedicled on the dorsal scapular vessels with harvesting of the medial border of the scapula and the lateral part of the rhomboid muscles. We carried out an anatomic study of the scapular region on 33 subjects in order to describe the surgical landmarks of the dorsal scapular pedicle. We determined the feasibility of this technique using a ten fresh cadavers and performed this flap on three patients. In most cases (58%), the dorsal scapular artery passed very close to the superior angle of the scapula and ran lateral to the medial border of the scapula, in 42% of cases the artery divided into a lateral branch which stayed deep to the medial border of the scapula and a medial branch which ran deep to the rhomboid muscles. In all cases an anastomosis between the dorsal scapular artery and the descending branch of the transverse cervical artery was present. In this technique, after harvesting the medial border of the scapula and the lateral part of the rhomboid muscles, the flap has been transposed in the cervical region through a tunnel under the superior part of the trapezius. This technique has been used in three patients after lateral resection of the mandible. The functional results were good, allowing the preservation of the scapular elevation.     

劈胸骨柄同时锁骨离断T2、T3前入路应用解剖学研究

目的　探索安全显露和处理T2、T3椎体的理想前入路方式。 方法 对30例（60侧）经福尔马林固定、红色乳胶灌注的成人尸体标本采用劈胸骨柄同时锁骨部分切断术模拟脊柱T2、T3椎体前入路手术。在该入路中,寻找不同的间隙,暴露可能的椎体节段。 结果　将左颈动脉鞘（左颈总动脉、左颈内静脉、左迷走神经及其颈心支）、左锁骨下动脉、胸导管、颈交感干及左纵隔胸膜一起向外侧牵拉,向内侧牵拉气管、食管、左喉返神经及其分支,向下牵拉左头臂静脉的方式,30例标本均能清楚的显露T1上缘至T3下缘,部分（6例）可达T4中部。 结论　劈胸骨柄和锁骨部分切断入路中,可找到一种显露和处理　T2、T3椎体的安全间隙方法。     

Intracranial course and relations of the hypoglossal nerve: An anatomic study

This anatomic study describes the course and intracranial relations of the hypoglossal n. in 32 cadavers. The rootlets of the nerve emerged as a fan-shaped distribution (23.44%) or in two bundles (76.56%) and converged towards the hypoglossal canal in the subarachnoid space before piercing the dura mater. In 76.57% of cases the rootlets pierced the dura mater in two separate apertures, less commonly through the same aperture (21.87%), and in rare cases through three individual apertures, as in one of our cases. The distance between the two apertures varied from 0.6 mm to 8.7 mm. Commonly, the two bundles converged together and left the skull through one foramen in the skull. However, in some cases (28.12%), the hypoglossal canal was divided in two by a small bony spicule. In 23.45% of cases the initial course of the posterior inferior cerebellar a. (PICA) passed between the two bundles of the hypoglossal n. before ascending towards the lateral border of the fourth ventricle.