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Objective: Fossa cranii posterior is a small area where most vital structures are located in. Knowledge of the surgical threedimensional anatomy of the region is important for the intervention of pontocerebellar angle tumors and acoustic neurinomas. In this study, the origin of the labyrinthine artery, its course, diameter, relationship with cranial nerves and variations were evaluated. Methods: 10 Male cadaver heads fixed with 10% formalin in Ege University School of Medicine Department of Anatomy was opened asterion centered with drill. The structures were dissected from superficial to deep by passing through the drilled hole. Deep structures of fossa cranii posterior were found, labyrinthine artery was evaluated with endoscope camera and photographed with metric. Results: Labyrinthine artery arised from anterior inferior cerebellary artery on 6 sides and basilar artery on 12 sides. Basilar artery origined labyrinthine arteries coursed with facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerve; and entered internal auditory meatus. One double and one triple labyrinthine artery variation was found. The mean diameter of labyrinthine artery was 0.46±0.19 mm on the right side and 0.58±0.43 mm on the left side, excluding two samples with multiple variations. Conclusion: Fossa cranii posterior is a difficult area to work because of containing number of vital structures, the structures in the region being highly variable and the surgeon has a very limited space to work. To know the anatomical features of the labyrinthine artery, and its related structures, is important in terms of understanding the three-dimensional anatomical structure and variations of the region where minimally invasive surgical techniques are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Left atrium (LA) and left atrial pulmonary venous anatomy have clinical importance for atrial fibrillation (AF) and cardiac tumor surgery. A detailed anatomic knowledge of these structures may faciliate clinical evaluations. The aim of this study was to assess LA size and to demonstrate other anatomic features of LA with pulmonary vein openings in normal population., Methods: This descriptive laboratory study was performed in 56 hearts of adult formalin fixed cadavers. The number of pulmonary vein openings into LA was recorded. Different patterns of pulmonary vein openings were described such as common ostium and additional vein., Results: The roof of LA was determined as flat (75%), convex (14.3%) or concave (10.7%) in specimens. A roof pouch was present in 8.9% of specimens. The diameter of LA roof, the anteroposterior LA diameter and the LA diameter between septum and lateral wall were recorded. Thin areas on the atrial wall were observed in front of a light source around left atrial appendage orifice. Septal band was found in 7.1% of specimens. Five different patterns of pulmonary vein openings were recorded: The common arrangement, the unilateral common ostium, the unilateral additional vein, the additional vein on both side and the complex type were observed respectively in 41 specimens (73.2%), 10 specimens (17.9%), three specimens (5.4%), one specimen (1.8%) and one specimen (1.8%)., Conclusion: It is expected that the data from present study will be a guide to the clinicians during the surgical approaches or radiologic examinations of LA and pulmonary vein openings into LA.

Objective: The left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important anatomic region since it is a source of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although this anatomic and clinical relation it has received little attention until recent years., Methods: This descriptive laboratory study was performed in 56 hearts of adult formalin fixed cadavers. The morphological characteristics of LAA were recorded. The distances between the orifices of left superior pulmonary veins (LSPV), circumflex artery, left anterior descending (LAD) artery, mitral valve and LAA were also measured in this study., Results: The morphological appearance of the LAA was classified into two different ways. There were two types according to the first classification: slender like a crooked finger (in 73.2%) and stump-like (in 26.8%). The lobe number of LAA was two in 64.3% specimens and three in 35.7%. The types of LAA were Cactus (24%), Chicken Wing (12%), Windsock (38%) and Cauliflower (26%) according to the second classification. The LAA orifice was oval-shaped in 37.5% and round-shaped in 62.5%. The bridge on the orifice was determined in one specimen. The longest diameter of LAA orifice was 16.5±4 mm. The presence of accessory left atrial appendage was observed in one specimen. The distance between LAA orifice and oval fossa was 27.5±5.5 mm., Conclusion: We highlighted the anatomic features of LAA and LAA orifice. LAA diameters, shape and the relation between neighboring structures in relation to atrial fibrillation and surgical approaches were discussed.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between the deep peroneal nerve and the dorsalis pedis artery to help ensure a safer surgical approach in flap surgery., Methods: The dissection of 36 cadaver lower limbs was undertaken to describe the relationship of the deep peroneal nerve to the dorsalis pedis artery in the anterior tarsal tunnel and on the dorsum of the foot., Results: Four distinct relationships of the deep peroneal nerve to the dorsalis pedis artery were determined. In type 1 (36.1 percent), the artery was medial to the deep peroneal nerve in the tunnel and medial to the medial terminal branch below the tunnel on the dorsum of the foot. In type 2 (25.0 percent), the artery was medial to the deep peroneal nerve in the tunnel and lateral to the medial terminal branch below the tunnel on the dorsum of the foot. In type 3 (30.6 percent), the deep peroneal nerve and the artery were crossing over each other at multiple levels. In type 4 (8.3 percent), no medial terminal branch was observed. The artery was medial to the lateral terminal branch., Conclusions: The dorsalis pedis neurovascular island flap contains both the dorsalis pedis artery and the deep peroneal nerve. Because the design of a neurovascular free flap requires detailed knowledge of the nerve and vascular supply, the data presented here will help surgeons during the surgical approaches to the foot and ankle.