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The absence of the musculocutaneous nerve represents a failure of the nerve to depart from the median nerve during early development. During a routine dissection of a 66-year-old white female cadaver, a bilateral absence of the musculocutaneous nerve was observed in the upper limbs. Muscles of the anterior flexor compartments of the arms including biceps brachii and brachialis were supplied by branches of the median nerve. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm also branched from the median nerve. In a clinical case of a particularly high median nerve injury, a variation of an absent musculocutaneous nerve may not only result in typical median nerve palsy of the forearm and hand, but palsy in the arm that would manifest as deficiencies in both shoulder and elbow flexion as well as cutaneous sensory loss from the lateral forearm.

Anatomical variations of the inferior vena cava, including the double inferior vena cava or isolated left inferior vena cava, are uncommon and of great clinical importance. Inferior vena cava variations signify predisposition to deep vein thrombosis and may complicate retroperitoneal surgeries including abdominal aortic surgery. Failure to recognize such variations may predispose a patient to life- threatening complications. This prospective anatomical study assessed 129 cadavers for variations of the inferior vena cava. One of the 129 cadavers (0.78%) possessed a double inferior vena cava and none (0%) possessed an isolated left inferior vena cava. The left-sided inferior vena cava was of a larger diameter than that of the right-sided inferior vena cava - opposite of what would be seen in a Type III duplication. Therefore, this observation expands the three-type classification system to include a Type IV duplication.

This article summarizes technical aspects of preparing printable 3D anatomical models created from radiological data (CT, MRI) and discusses their usefulness in surgery of the human skull. Interdisciplinary approach to the capabilities of the 3D printers, and the materials used for manufacturing 3D objects oriented on replicating anatomical structures has created new possibilities for simulating and planning surgical procedures in clinical practice settings.

The objective of this study was to provide a morphometrical analysis of the accessory spine which exists within the lumen of the foramen ovale, and to find out if that structure could mechanically irritate the mandibular nerve. A bifid spine was perceived in the macerated skull of an adult individual. It was located in the anterior part of the left foramen ovale. The overall length of the spine was measured as 1.8 mm. The spine has the homogenous structure, and show high level of mineralization. We conclude that the accessory spine did not compress the mandibular nerve, and the foramen ovale provided enough space for the nerve passage. Probably, these structures remained in anatomical accordance without causing any neurological symptoms.

The current study evaluates the passage of the atlantal segment of the vertebral artery through the atlas to the cranial cavity in the case of occipitalisation, and searches for potential bony obstacles that constrict the lumen of the vertebral artery. Morphometric analysis was performed of the ossified atlanto-occipital articulation of the dry adult male skull, particularly in the region of the posterior arch of the atlas. The distance between the floor of the right groove for the vertebral artery and the occipital bone was measured using a digital sliding caliper. On the left side, measurements of the diameters of the inlet and outlet of the canal for the vertebral artery were performed using the same technique. Fusion of the left portion of the posterior arch of the atlas with the occipital bone caused significant narrowing of the space around the normally existing groove for the vertebral artery, and converted it into the canal. The size of the intracranial opening of the canal for the vertebral artery was measured as 3.8 mm x 4.7 mm, whereas the inlet to the canal was 5.4 mm x 7.0 mm. The diameter of the canal decreases, particularly at the entrance into the cranial cavity; therefore, compression of the vertebral artery within the canal seems to be possible.

Fractal exponents ($d$) for human cranial sutures are calculated using the box counting method. The results were found around $d = 1.5$ (within the range $1.3\div 1.7$), supporting the random walk model for the suture formation process. However, the calculated dispersion above the estimated accuracy suggests that other mechanisms are also present. Similar numbers were obtained for both the sagittal and coronal sutures, with the coronal sutures displaying a better scaling. Our results are compared with estimations published by other authors., Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures

The authors have studied the morphological differences of sutural areas in human skulls at distinct stages of obliteration. A computed tomography aided with computer algorithm of tonal correction was applied to visualise structural changes in the sutural areas that are correlated with sutural ossification. The results of our study suggest that obliteration of cranial sutures is accompanied by local fluctuations of bony density in sutural areas, gradual unification of structural density towards ectocranium. When the obliteration proceeds, the sutural gap ceases. The laminas and diploic layers of the two opposing bones become a single structure of increased integrity.