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The term Metaverse ("meta" defined as beyond, transcendence or virtuality, and "verse" meaning universe or world) denotes a "virtual reality space" for anatomy teaching. To ascertain how many anatomists are familiar or are using this adjunct in teaching, we conducted a short survey at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA). Interestingly, only six respondents (9.4%) had used a Metaverse for teaching anatomy. Moreover, the vast majority of attendees were anatomy educators or basic science faculty, but not practicing physicians/surgeons or other actively practicing health care professionals; a group where this technology has been used much more commonly. The present manuscript was authored by anatomy educators, practicing physicians and other actively practicing health care professionals with backgrounds in diverse medical fields, that is, anatomists, medical doctors, physician assistants, dentists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, veterinarians, and medical students. Many of these authors have used or have been exposed to a Metaverse in the clinical realm. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to better understand those who are knowledgeable of a Metaverse and its use in anatomy education, and to provide ways forward for using such technology in this discipline., (© 2022 American Association of Clinical Anatomists and British Association of Clinical Anatomists.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought difficult times to anatomy educators and medical/dental students. Under normal circumstances, gross anatomy classes give students opportunities to touch and observe human bones and cadaveric tissues, thus enhancing their understanding; such morphology is difficult to learn from textbooks alone. As many studies have shown, three-dimensional (3D) technologies used in online lectures can serve as alternatives to real specimens for providing knowledge of anatomy. However, such technologies are often expensive. The goal of this study was to create 3D anatomy models for online lectures using a free cellphone app. Free application software (Qlone) was used to create 3D anatomical models. The extracranium and intracranium of adult skull, fetal skull, mandible, temporal bone, second cervical vertebra, and ilium were all scanned and exported to the computer in 3D format. A total of 53 anatomical structures were evaluated by nine observers. Although the 53 structures used in this study did not include all the structures that students need to learn, visibility was good/acceptable for most of the 53. The free and simple 3D scanning app used in this study could enable anatomy educators to provide better content to students during online lectures., (© 2021 American Association of Clinical Anatomists.)

Our goal was to evaluate a new air dissection technique for the spaces of the head and neck using fresh-frozen cadavers. Eight sides from four fresh-frozen Caucasian cadavers were used in this study. Compressed air was initially placed into the pterygomandibular space while simultaneously observing the spaces of the head and neck. Subsequently, the pterygomandibular space on the contralateral side of the specimen was insufflated and observations made. For these methods, simultaneous observation of mediastina and lungs was made using intrathoracic endoscopy. On all sides, the buccal, submental, sublingual, parotid, parapharyngeal, and retropharyngeal spaces were insufflated on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides. Deviation of the larynx and trachea was observed externally and deviation of the mediastinum and lungs via intrathoracic endoscopy. We introduced air dissection into spaces of the head and neck. This new technique might help students, teachers, dentists, medical doctors, and other healthcare providers to better understand the three-dimensional anatomy of the spaces of the head and neck and their communicating pathways. Clin. Anat. 33:207-213, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The 16th century French anatomist Guillaume Rondelet will be remembered as a great naturalist and a founder of ichthyology. Little known to most is that Rondelet was a proficient anatomist and contemporary to Vesalius and in fact, both studied anatomy under Johannes Guinter. Even less known is that he established the first dissecting theatre at Montpellier and it was here that he would dissect his infant son in an attempt to identify the cause of death. In this article, we review the life and contributions to anatomy of Rondelet., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Benjamin Hobson was a British missionary and physician who lived in China for twenty years. He founded multiple hospitals in Southern China and used his knowledge of Western medicine to educate Chinese doctors. He wrote several medical textbooks in Chinese of which the first was the A New Theory of the Body (1851). The illustrations from his book were renditions and originals from William Cheselden's Anatomical Tables (1730) and Osteographia (1733).The Japanese version of Hobson's work appeared in Japan during the bakumatsu period (1853-1867), when Japan ended its isolationist foreign policy and began opening itself to the West. During this time, many books from Europe were translated into Chinese to then find their way into Japan. The Chinese anatomy textbook by Hobson (Quanti Xinlun) was instrumental in introducing Western anatomic knowledge to the Chinese and thereby catalyzing a significant change in the practice of medicine in China. A Japanese translation (Zen Tai Shin Ron) of this text published in the 19th century is reviewed., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Buntaro Adachi (1865-1945) was a Japanese physician, anatomist, and anthropologist and is most remembered for his study on human anatomic variation. At the end of 19th Century, one of the main focuses in anthropology was the comparison between the races. In Japan, anthropological studies of the origin of the modern Japanese race were carried out by Adachi and others. Adachi believed that differences went beyond the bones that were commonly studied in his day and, therefore, investigated soft tissues of the body. Two products of his intense study of variation of human anatomy were Das Arteriensystem der Japaner (The Arterial System of the Japanese) published in 1928 and Das Venensystem der Japaner (The Venous System of the Japanese) published in 1933 and 1940. These books received much attention and were praised by anatomists and anthropologists around the world. Even now, these books are invaluable as references for human anatomic variation. Herein, we provide an overview of the life and achievements of Buntaro Adachi and to our knowledge, this is the first such review in the English language., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective  Many external anatomical landmarks have been used for approximating deeper, intracranial structures. Herein, we evaluate the attachment of the longissimus capitis (LC) on the mastoid process as a landmark for the underlying sigmoid sinus. Methods  Adult cadavers underwent dissection of the posterior occiput with special attention to the attachment of the LC muscle. Once the periphery of the muscle's tendon of attachment was determined, a burr hole was made in this area and evaluated internally for its relationship to the sigmoid sinus. Results  From an intracranial view, burr holes on all sides were over the sigmoid sinus and just slightly lateral to the center of the sinus. The distance from the midline to the medial border of the insertion of the LC had a mean of 63.0 ± 7.2 mm. The width of the tendon of insertion of the LC on the mastoid process had a mean of 17.6 ± 5.7 mm. The length of the tendon insertion of the LC had a mean of 14.7 ± 4.7 mm. The distance from the inferior border of the insertion of the LC to the tip of the mastoid process had a mean of 6.2 ± 4.5 mm. Conclusion  To our knowledge, use of the attachment site of the LC on the mastoid process as an external landmark for the underlying sigmoid sinus has not previously been reported. Based on our cadaveric findings, the sigmoid sinus is centered under the attachment of the LC regardless of the width of its tendon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to reveal the detailed anatomy of mental nerve branches to the inferior labial glands. Methods: Embalmed cadaveric heads were used in this study and the mental nerve branches to the inferior labial glands were dissected. Branches to the glands were then excised for histological observation. Results: On all sides, the inferior labial glands were innervated by small branches arising from mental nerve branches that innervated the lower lip. No nerve branches to the inferior labial gland crossed the midline. Histological observation found that the tissue to the inferior labial gland were composed primarily of nerve fibers with a small number of surrounding vessels. Histological findings in examined specimens were consistent. Conclusion: The inferior labial glands were innervated by small branches of the mental nerve to the lower lip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomy and definition of the petroclinoid ligament (PCL) and its relationship with the abducens nerve are variably described. The goal of this study was to clarify the anatomy of the PCL and better elucidate its relationship with the abducens nerve. Thirty-six sides from 18 fresh-frozen adult cadaveric heads were used in this study. Specimens were all Caucasian and derived from 10 males and 8 females. The mean age at death was 79 years. Dissection of the PCL and abducens nerve was performed using a surgical microscope. The anterior and posterior attachments of the PCL, and position of the abducens nerve were noted. Subsequently, the width, thickness, and length of the ligament, and diameter of the abducens nerve were measured. Thirty-one sides (86.1%) were found to have a PCL, on two sides (5.6%), the PCL was ossified, and on three sides (8.3%), the PCL was absent. The width, thickness, and length of the PCL ranged from 0.54 to 3.39, 0.07 to 0.49, and 3.27 to 17.85 mm, respectively. No PCL had an anterior attachment onto the posterior clinoid process but rather, the clivus. Therefore, based on our findings, the PCL would be better described as the petroclival ligament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An accessory foramen around the mandibular foramen is called an accessory mandibular foramen (AMF). The clinical anatomy of the AMF has not been well described. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical anatomy of the AMF for a better understanding of its implication during ramus surgeries. Methods: Twenty-two sides fresh-frozen cadaveric heads with a mean age of 76.2 ± 14.4 years at death underwent dissection. The neurovascular bundles passing through the AMF were observed. Additionally, a hemi-face of a latex injected embalmed cadaver was dissected medially to laterally and the neurovascular bundles of the AMF investigated. Results: A unilateral foramen, bilateral foramina, and absence of foramina were found in 45.4%, 18.2%, and 36.4%, respectively. The origin of the neurovascular bundle entering the AMF was a branch of the maxillary artery in 20% and a tributary of the inferior alveolar vein in 80%. In the latex embalmed cadaver, the AMF was found to contain a branch from the maxillary artery and a tributary of the maxillary vein. Conclusion: Given the practical meaning of the specific AMF located in the operative field of the ramus osteotomy, we suggest these be named "foramina for ramus osteotomy." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The superficial anterior atlanto-occipital ligament (SAAOL) is a narrowband located anterior to the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane. Nearly forgotten, it has not been well described in older anatomical textbooks and is missing in the current anatomical literature. As all of the binding structures of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) are important in maintaining stability, this study aims to clarify the anatomy and potential function of the SAAOL. Materials and Methods: The CCJ from ten fresh-frozen cadavers was studied. These specimens were derived from three males and seven females, and the age at death ranged from 57 to 91 years (mean, 79.8 years). The length, width, and thickness of the SAAOL were measured. In five specimens, the force to failure was recorded. Results: The SAAOL was found between the anterior tubercle of the atlas and the occiput and located as central thick fibers in front of the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane in 9 (90%) specimens. In one specimen, the vertical band to the occipital bone did not attach to the anterior tubercle of the atlas, but extended to the anterior aspect of the axis. The mean length, width, and thickness of the SAAOL were 19.8, 6.2, and 0.6 mm, respectively. The force to failure for the ligament was 38.8 N. Conclusion: The SAAOL was a constant structure of the anterior atlanto-occipital joint. This ligament seems to be a secondary stabilizer of the CCJ by limiting the extension of CCJ. Knowledge of this ligament may help in further understanding of craniocervical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background The course of the nerves along the nasal septum has not been clearly studied, and surgical procedures such as rhinoplasty require a more detailed topography of the nerve supply inside the septum. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the distribution of the internal nasal branch of the infraorbital nerve inside the nasal septum and to define the relationship between it and the nasal cartilages. Methods Fourteen sides from eight fresh frozen and embalmed Caucasian cadaveric heads were dissected. The specimens were derived from three males and five females. The ages of the cadavers at death ranged from 65 to 84 years. The course of the internal nasal branch and its relationship between the nasal cartilages were observed using a surgical microscope. Results On all sides, the internal nasal branch approached the medial crus of the major alar cartilage from behind and traveled anteriorly below the medial crus of the major alar cartilage while giving off anterior inferior septal, middle inferior septal, and posterior inferior septal branches. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, we suggest that procedures of the nasal cavity such as rhinoplasty could be modified to avoid injuring the main trunk of the internal nasal branch of the infraorbital nerve inside the nasal septum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background and aim The auriculotemporal nerve (ATN) is one of the branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, which gives rise to many branches to the retromandibular and temporal regions. Of these, the superficial temporal branch can occasionally be the cause of migraine headaches and auriculotemporal neuralgia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the anatomy of the superficial temporal branch, which has never been described in detail. Methods A total of 14 sides of cadaveric heads were used for this study. The number of superficial temporal branch was counted, and the horizontal and vertical distances from the middle of the tragus to the branching point were measured. Results Three of 14 sides had two main trunks, and 11 sides had one main trunk. Each of the duplicated ATN had already branches into two main trunks as they left the retromandibular space. The number of superficial temporal branches ranged from two to seven. The vertical and horizontal distances from the middle of the tragus to the branching point of the superficial temporal branch ranged from 6.19 to 25.65 mm and from 3.45 to 11.88 mm, respectively. The communicating branches occasionally formed a loop or so-called “ansa,” and a double ansa was identified in one case. Conclusions These data can provide surgeons a better view of the course of these distant branches, so that skin incisions can be better planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the popularization of dental implant surgery, there has been considerable research on the lingual foramen using cone-beam computed tomography. Anatomical research has also revealed that the arteries entering the lingual foramina are branches of the submental and sublingual arteries. There have been no reports, however, of the submental or sublingual artery entering the mandible from the lingual foramen, perforating it, and then distributing to the inferior labial region. A 69-year-old man who donated his body to our department in 2015 was dissected. The mandible with overlying soft tissue of the mental region was resected and examined with microcomputed tomography, which showed that the canal perforated from the lingual foramen to the midline of the labial cortical plate. The canal was thus named the median perforating canal. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no other reports of a perforating artery of the mandible, so this case is thought to be rare. Hence, the existence of perforating arteries, such as in the present case, should be taken into consideration in preoperative diagnoses such as for dental implant surgery. Thus, the fusion of anatomical and radiological study is useful and necessary to understand surgical anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies suggest that the nerve to the mylohyoid muscle could have a cutaneous branch. However, its clinical relevance has rarely been discussed because there is insufficient evidence for it. Our aim in this study was to investigate the anatomy of the cutaneous branch of the nerve to the mylohyoid muscle and extend the discussion to surgical management. Twenty sides from ten embalmed cadaveric heads were dissected to identify the cutaneous branch of the nerve to the mylohyoid muscle. The cutaneous branch was traced up to its termination. The cutaneous branch was observed in 90% and classified into types I and II. In type I, the terminal trunk reached the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. In type II there were two types of terminal trunks, superior and inferior branches, which were identified on all sides. The number of the terminal trunk was one in 23.1% (type I; 6/26) and two in 76.9% (type II; 20/26). The terminal points of the cutaneous branch were all located within a 3 cm × 2 cm rectangular segment in the center of the submental area. We propose a new dermatome including the nerve to the mylohyoid muscle in the center. Understanding the cutaneous branch of the nerve could help surgeons to prevent iatrogenic sensory loss of the submental area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Most sources conclude that the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) is a purely motor nerve. There are some reports that suggest a sensory component, although the exact nature of such sensory fibers has yet to be elucidated. With such discrepancies in the literature and with well-established pain syndromes of unknown etiology following SAN injury, the authors performed the present study to better clarify this anatomy. Materials and methods. The entire accessory nerve was harvested from 10 adult cadavers. Samples were then submitted for immunohistochemical analyses. Results. Occasional microganglia cells were identified along the SAN in all specimens. These ganglia were most numerous along the intracranial segment of the SAN, but none was found along the cranial rootlets of the accessory nerve. Conclusions. Neuronal cell bodies were identified along the course of the SAN in human cadavers. Although the function is not certain, such cells have been found in other animals to be nocioceptive in nature. Pending further study, these cells may be found to be involved in enigmatic pain syndromes thought to arise in the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the life of the physician and theologian Michael Servetus and to discuss his analysis of the pulmonary circulation. Writers have praised Servetus for his commitment to educating his colleagues about what he heralded as the truth, and criticized him for his perceived arrogance. Servetus made contributions to the fields of geography, astrology, theology, and medicine. This paper refers to the translation of a portion of Servetus' book Christianismi Restitutio by Charles D. O'Malley. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The detailed nervous system in the mandibular bone cannot be observed on computed tomography. Dental professionals need to understand the running route of the inferior alveolar nerve and can do so by using gross anatomical dissection. However, the nervous system is difficult to dissect and visualize clearly because it is surrounded by a hard cortical plate. To develop an educational material for dental professionals, we visualized the inferior alveolar nerve by using the decalcification technique. We believe that the use of this device can lead dentists to better understand the nervous anatomy of the mandibular bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sacral dorsal rami form the posterior sacrococcygeal plexus (PSCP), which has been scantly studied. This study's goal was to clarify the PSCP s detailed anatomy and discuss its clinical relevance. Ten sides of 5 fresh-frozen cadavers were dissected for this research. After the muscles covering the sacrum were removed, the PSCP was identified and traced under the operating microscope until the entire plexus was exposed. The contributions to this plexus and its relations to surrounding anatomic structures were recorded. The PSCP was found on all sides and was composed of a medial trunk (MT), communicating branches, and a lateral trunk. Each sacral dorsal ramus's MT formed a series of loops created by adjacent sacral dorsal rami placed between the transverse tubercles and the posterior sacral foramina. The MT, communicating branches, and lateral trunk demonstrated potential entrapment sites. To our knowledge, this is the first anatomic study that provides detailed images that indicate 3 potential sites where surrounding structures could entrap the PSCP. Knowledge of its detailed anatomy might help in better understanding low-back pain, targeting pain sources and guide spine surgeons for avoiding injury to these nerves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle cluneal nerves (MCNs) are stated to arise from the sacral dorsal rami of S1 to S3 and supply the gluteal skin, but their detailed anatomy is unclear and often variably depicted and described. Therefore, the goal of this study was to revisit the anatomy of the MCNs and provide a clearer picture of their morphology. Five fresh-frozen Caucasian cadavers (10 sides) (2 men and 3 women) were dissected for this study. The sacral dorsal rami from each posterior sacral foramen were identified and traced laterally to identify the MCNs. The contribution, pathway, and distribution of the MCNs were investigated. Each sacral dorsal ramus joined to form the posterior sacrococcygeal plexus. A total of 25 MCNs were identified. The MCNs were formed by the sacral dorsal rami of S1-2 in 48% (12/25), S1-3 in 4% (1/25), S1-4 in 20% (5/25), S2-3 in 8% (2/25), and S2-4 in 20% (5/25). The MCNs pierced the gluteus maximus by 2 different pathways and supplied the gluteal skin or the gluteus maximus muscle. We clarified the anatomy and variations of the MCNs and revisited its current nomenclature. Such knowledge might improve diagnoses and invasive procedure outcomes in patients with pathology in the region of the MCNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Distal branches of the C1 nerve that travel with the hypoglossal nerve have been well investigated but relationships of C1 and the hypoglossal nerve near the skull base have not been described in detail. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate these small branches of the hypoglossal and first cervical nerves by anatomic dissection. Methods Twelve sides from 6 cadaveric specimens were used in this study. To elucidate the relationship among the hypoglossal, vagus, and first and cervical nerve, the mandible was removed and these nerves were dissected under the surgical microscope. Results A small branch was found to always arise from the dorsal aspect of the hypoglossal nerve at the level of the transverse process of the atlas and joined small branches from the first and second cervical nerves. The hypoglossal and C1 nerves formed a nerve plexus, which gave rise to branches to the rectus capitis anterior and rectus capitis lateralis muscles and the atlanto-occipital joint. Conclusions Improved knowledge of such articular branches might aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pain derived from the atlanto-occipital joint. We believe this to be the first description of a branch of the hypoglossal nerve being involved in the innervation of this joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]