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Background: Communications between the median, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves in the arm, forearm and hand were reported in adult cadaveric and electrophysiological studies. These communicant branches may lead conflicting clinical and electrodiagnostic outcomes. While there are many studies on adult patients or cadavers, there is poor regarding foetuses. The present study was conducted to examine the frequencies of these communications and their coexistences in human foetuses.Materials and Methods: Anterior aspect of the forearms of 50 foetuses (29 females, 20 males, and 1 unknown) were dissected bilaterally (totally 100 sides) for this purpose.Results: Communications between the median and the musculocutaneous nerves in the arm were found unilaterally in 4%. Communications from the median to the ulnar nerve in the forearm were encountered unilaterally in 22%, and bilaterally in 12%; from the ulnar to the median nerve in the hand unilaterally in 28%, and bilaterally in 12%. Coexistence of all these variations was not encountered in any foetus. But coexistence of two different types of communicant branch was encountered in 4%.Conclusions: Precise knowledge of nerve communications, variations and rate of coexistences in foetuses may have significance for clinicians and researchers dealing with subjects in foetal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the right and left sides of the carotid foramen (CF) to determine its precise location according to certain anatomical landmarks. MATERIALS and METHODS: Twenty human dry skulls were included in the study. A digital caliper and a digital image analysis software were used to obtain direct anatomical numerical values. Then, the same parameters on dry skulls were assessed with computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: CF was found to be round shaped (62.5%), oval shaped (32.5%), and tear-drop shaped (5%). In all cases, the position of CF was seen as just postero-laterally of the foramen lacerum. According to the jugular foramen, CF was seen to be anterior in 85% and antero-medial in 15% of the cases. Regarding the morphometric values of the surface area, the length and width of CF were observed to be 37.86±11.24 mm2, 8.02±1.09 mm, and 6.86±0.90 mm at direct anatomical measurements and 39.69±10.07 mm2, 7.89±1.14 mm, and 6.41±0.90 mm at CT, respectively. The angles between the supramastoid crest-CF-zygoma root and the supramastoid crest-CF-mastoid process were determined as 37.11±6.87° and 42.22±6.40° at direct anatomical measurements and 36.59±4.94° and 43.71±4.55° at CT, respectively. CONCLUSION: A significant difference in sides was not observed in relation with the numerical data of CF obtained from CT or from direct anatomical measurements of dry skulls. Moreover, a significant difference was not found between radiological and direct anatomical measurements. Therefore, precise radiological assessment of this region by an experienced neuroradiologist may be assumed as a fundamental need for successful surgeries of the skull base, in addition to thorough anatomical knowledge of neurootologists and neurosurgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]