Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the meniscus

The meniscus is no longer considered the evolutionary remnant in the knee joint.Rather, it is now well established as an important structure that is integral to the complex biomechanics and proper functioning of the knee. The medial and lateral menisci form two crescent-shaped wedges of fibrocartilage between the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus.The knee joint biomechanics are based on a complex interaction of these intra-articular structures. The functions ascribed to the menisci include load transmission, shock absorption, stability, proprioception, joint lubrication, and joint nutrition. Load transmission generally is accepted as one of its primary functions. The menisci transmit a portion of the axial forces across the knee joint by converting this load into “hoop stresses.” This is accomplished by their unique shape, composition, and anatomic attachments. The menisci are relatively mobile structures and their motion during knee flexion also is determined by their shape and soft tissue attachments/constraints. Preservation of the meniscal functions is essential, and the authors review the basic anatomic and biomechanical concepts necessary to understand techniques for repair and restoration of these functions.     

Usefulness of two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography combined with surface anatomy scanning for convexity lesions

Thirty-eight patients with convexity lesions were studied prospectively with the two-dimensional time-of-flight (2D-TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) method. Of these 21 cases had additional surface anatomy scanning (SAS) and 7 cases had three-dimensional phase contrast (3D-PC) MRA. The findings were compared during surgery, and the predictability of 2D-TOF evaluated. 2D-TOF was obtained with 2 mm slice thickness after the administration of contrast media for routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cortical veins were visualized with a good resolution with a scan time of only 5 minutes. The tumor was also visible in the background, due to enhancement, and thus the tumor-vessels relation was shown. Slow-flow vessels were also adequately seen. SAS was done at the same sitting with fast spin echo (FSE) with a scan time of 3 minutes. Once both images were incorporated, information on gyri and their relation to the lesions and vasculature could be obtained from a single image. We found 2D-TOF alone, or at times in combination with SAS, useful for planning of operation for convexity lesions.     

Lymphatic drainage of the gallbladder

Based upon detailed dissections of the lymphatic system in adult cadavers, the lymphatic drainage of the gallbladder was divided into three pathways: (1) The cholecystoretropancreatic pathway, which had two routes, one running spirally from the anterior surface of the common bile duct to the right rear, and the other running almost straight down from the posterior surface of the common bile duct. These routes converged at the principal retroportal node at the posterior surface of the head of the pancreas. (2) The cholecysto-celiac pathway; this was the route running to the left through the hepatoduodenal ligament to reach the celiac nodes. (3) The cholecysto-mesenteric pathway; this was the route running to the left in front of the portal vein to connect with the nodes at the superior mesenteric root. The cholecysto-retropancreatic pathway can be regarded as the main pathway, and the principal retroportal node appeared to be critical as the main terminal node in the visceral lymphatic system of the gallbladder. These three pathways converged with the abdomino-aortic lymph nodes near the left renal vein, and the nodes in the interaortico-caval space were considered to be of particular importance. Offprint requests to: M. Ito     

垂体高度的断层解剖及MRI测量

目的：通过尸体断层标本和MRI对照测量垂体的高度，为垂体的影像学诊断提供诊断标准、材料和方法：利用35例成人尸体断层标本，在各个断面上测量垂体的高度；在103例成人冠状头颅MRI上测量垂体的高度，并按年龄和性别分为十二组。将断层标本和MRI的测量数据进行比较。结果：在断层标本上测量垂体的平均高度为5．3±0．6（4．0－7．6）mm；MRI上的平均高度为5．4±1．3（4.0－8．3）mm。两组数据比较，无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。男性垂体的平均高度为5．3±1.2（4．0－7．2）mm，女性垂体的平均高度为5．5±1．4（4．0－8.3）mm。女性垂体的平均高度大于男性。各年龄组比较显示，20岁以后，随年龄增长，垂体高度逐渐下降。结论：在MRI诊断中，垂体高度女性≥9mm，男性≥8mm可考虑垂体异常。垂体高度女性大于男性；20岁以后，随年龄增长，垂体高度有逐渐下降的趋势。     

外侧眉下垂的解剖力学研究

目的:探讨外侧眉下垂与该区肌肉力学的关系,为眶周年轻化手术提供更加详实的解剖依据。方法:对10%福尔马林固定的成人尸头33侧进行大体和显微解剖观察。结果:下垂眉形组的额肌宽度在内眦间连线头侧3.0cm水平为(53.04±3.85)mm,5.0cm水平为(59.71±3.82)mm,明显窄于非下垂眉形组相应水平的(56.14±4.29)mm和(63.23±5.40)m(mP<0.05)。下垂眉形组眼轮匝肌外侧束出现率为87.5%,明显大于非下垂组的52.9%(P<0.01)。结论:外侧眉缺少额肌的支持及眼轮匝肌外侧束的出现是外侧眉下垂的重要原因之一。     

正常喉区的CT解剖研究

喉的解剖较复杂,从CT图象上分辨更为困难。木文通过比较尸体喉区的断层解剖标本,从4个不同的平面,描述了喉区各结构形态大小的变化,并讨论其分布特征,这将有助于临床CT的诊断。     

Ostial PV Isolation:

Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by elimination of spike potentials has been reported to cure drug refractory atrial fibrillation. Because of the heterogenous morphology of the PVs, sequential electroanatomic reconstruction of the PVs was performed in 39 patients (group A), who underwent subsequent PV isolation by interruption of all conductive myocardial fibers by distinct RF current applications using a "lasso" approach. In group B (157 patients), only biplane two-dimensional fluoroscopy was performed to guide the diagnostic and the ablation catheters. After reprocedures (in 7% of patients in group A and 22% of group B), which depicted a recurrence of a spike potential inside or at the ostium of  >1 previously isolated PV in all restudied patients, stable sinus rhythm was documented in 69% of patients in group A and 60% of patients in group B. Reasons for the relapse of the previously eliminated spike potentials include a temporary ablation effect and a too distal interruption of the conducting myocardial fiber. Detailed knowledge of the individual three-dimensional morphology enhanced the clinical success rate of PV isolation but is time-consuming using CARTO   (8.0 ± 1.7 vs 5.0 ± 1.6, P < 0.001)   . Further technical improvement to fuse the individual three-dimensional anatomy and the electrophysiological markers to a composed "electroanatomic" map may overcome this limitation in the future. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:1624–1630)     

指屈肌腱腱纽的显微解剖 Ⅱ、腱纽的动脉和神经

本文解剖观察了30只手共150个手指的腱纽内动脉和神经。进入肌腱的动脉和神经都是手指两侧的指掌侧固有动脉和指掌侧固有神经的分支,它们穿过腱纤维鞘裂孔进入腱纽,然后再分支到屈指肌腱。动脉和神经在进入腱纽的起始处有脂肪团,可作为寻找腱纽内动脉与神经的标志。至拇指腱纽的动脉和神经是在第一指骨底至第一指骨头之间进入腱鞘,其它的指一般一个手指有四组动脉、两组神经分别进入每个手指的四型腱纽,而进入腱鞘的位置分别在:一指底,一指中间1/3与远侧1/3的交接处,二指底,二指头。其中Ⅱ、Ⅳ型的动脉有神经伴行。     

谈《正常人体学基础》教材及教学方法改进

本文介绍了《正常人体学基础》教材的特点,讨论了本学科教学应注意的问题,强调了要充分地使用标本模型、挂图及多媒体教学,讨论了本学科的学习方法.     

Human brain atlas: For high-resolution functional and anatomical mapping

We present the new computerized Human Brain Atlas (HBA) for anatomical and functional mapping studies of the human brain. The HBA is based on many high-resolution magnetic resonance images of normal subjects and provides continuous updating of the mean shape and position of anatomical structures of the human brain. The structures are transformable by linear and nonlinear global and local transformations applied anywhere in 3-D pictures to fit the anatomical structures of individual brains, which, by reformatting, are transformed into a high-resolution standard anatomical format. The power of the HBA to reduce anatomical variations was evaluated on a randomized selection of anatomical landmarks in brains of 27 young normal male volunteers who were different from those on whom the standard brain was selected. The HBA, even when based only on standard brain surface and central structures, reduced interindividual anatomical variance to the level of the variance in structure position between the right and left hemisphere in individual brains. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.