ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE OPOSSUM (DIDELPHIS-ALBIVENTRIS) EXTRAOCULAR-MUSCLES

The anatomy of the extraocular muscles was studied in 10 adult opossums (Didelphis albiventris) of both sexes. Eight extraocular muscles were identified: 4 rectus muscles, 2 oblique muscles, the levator palpebrae superioris and the retractor ocular bulbi. The rectus muscles originate very close one to another between the orbital surfaces of the presphenoid and palatine bones. These muscles diverge on the way to their insertion which occurs at about 2 mm from the limbus. The levator palpebrae superioris originates with the dorsal rectus and is positioned dorsally in relation to it. The retractor ocular bulbi forms a cone which embraces the optic nerve and is located internally in relation to the rectus muscles. The dorsal oblique originates on the presphenoid bone and after a tendinous trajectory through a trochlea on the medial wall of the orbit, inserts into the ocular bulb. The only muscle arising from the anterior orbital floor is the ventral oblique. The main nerve supply for these muscles is the oculomotor, except for the dorsal oblique which is innervated by the trochlear nerve, and the lateral rectus which is innervated by the abducens nerve. The retractor ocular bulbi receives branches from the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve and some branches from the abducens nerve.

Comparison of accuracy between compression- and injection-molded complete dentures

Statement of problem. A clinically significant incisal pin opening may occur after processing complete dentures if a compression molding technique is used. To recover the proper vertical dimension of occlusion, a time-consuming occlusal adjustment is necessary that often destroys the anatomy of the artificial teeth. A new injection molding process claims to produce dentures that require few, if any, occlusal adjustments in the laboratory after processing.Purpose. This laboratory study compared incisal pin opening, dimensional accuracy, and laboratory working time for dentures fabricated by this new injection system with dentures constructed by the conventional compression molding technique.Material and methods. Two groups of 6 maxillary and 6 mandibular dentures were evaluated as follows: group 1 (control), Lucitone 199, compression molded with a long cure cycle; and group 2, Lucitone 199, injection molded with a long cure. Incisal pin opening was measured with a micrometer immediately after deflasking. A computerized coordinate measuring machine was used to measure dimensional accuracy of 3-dimensional variations in selected positions of artificial teeth in 4 stages of denture fabrication. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t tests were performed to compare the groups.Results. A significant difference was found in pin opening between groups (t test). Horizontal dimensional changes evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant differences between groups. However, analysis of vertical dimensional changes disclosed significant differences between the groups. There was no appreciable difference in laboratory working time for flasking and molding denture bases between the injection and compression molding techniques when polymethyl methacrylate resin was used.Conclusion. The injection molding method produced a significantly smaller incisal pin opening over the standard compression molding technique. The injection molding technique, using polymethyl methacrylate, was a more accurate method for processing dentures. There were no appreciable differences in laboratory working time between the injection and compression molding techniques.

Study of lobation and vascularization of the lungs of wild boar (Sus scrofa)

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomy of the lungs of wild boars for comparison with those of domestic swine. It was found that the right lung of the wild boar is divided into four lobes: cranial, median, caudal and accessory, whereas the left lung is divided into two lobes: cranial and caudal. In 93.4% of the cases, right pulmonary artery separates into the ascendant, descendant, median, accessory and caudal branches. In 73.3% of the cases, left pulmonary artery separates most frequently to form three branches to the cranial lobe, whereas the median lobe is generally supplied by only one arterial branch. There is a single pattern of bronchial distribution: in the right lung a tracheal bronchus leads to the cranial lobe, where it separates into the cranial and caudal bronchi and there are also bronchi to the median, caudal and accessory lobes. In the left lung, the large bronchus separates to form two branches, one of which further separates to form two branches to the cranial lobe whereas the other forms a single branch to the caudal lobe.

Interspecies variation in orbital bone structure of psittaciform birds (with emphasis on Psittacidae)

Objectives: This text presents an anatomical study of the normal bony orbital structure of a sample of different bird species belonging to the order Psittaciformes.Procedures: the bony anatomy of Psittaciformes' skulls was examined and described using cadavers of birds that were presented already dead to the Federal University of Parana, Brazil or had been euthanized for humane reasons. Dissections of the orbital cavity were performed under 2-4 x magnification, and descriptions of the orbital bones were made from observations of macerated skulls that had been boiled and cleaned. The present paper discusses the main features of the bony orbit of psittaciform birds, describing known anatomical information but also bringing new information, mainly concerning species differences that might help not only veterinary anatomists but also zoologists, clinicians, researchers, and students of veterinary ophthalmology to better comprehend this order of birds.Results and conclusions: Variations in the anatomic conformation of the bony elements of the orbit were observed in different species of Psittaciformes. Based on these differences, Psittaciformes were classified into two different groups. The first group of Psittaciformes shows an enclosed (complete) bony orbit formed by the junction of the orbital with the postorbital processes, creating a suborbital arch. The second group of Psittaciformes essentially lacked a suborbital arch, presenting an open (incomplete) bony orbit, typical of most modern birds. In the latter group, orbital and postorbital processes are present.

Association of 3D Reconstruction and Conventional Radiography for the Description of the Appendicular Skeleton of Chelonoidis carbonaria (Spix, 1824)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morphological Variation of Primary Reproductive Structures in Males of Five Families of Neotropical Bats

Bats present unique features among mammals with respect to reproduction, and although neotropical bats do not have a hibernation period, many of their reproductive characteristics vary seasonally and interspecifically. Thus, this work aimed to examine the reproductive structures of 18 species belonging to five families of Brazilian bats. The gross anatomy of the testes varied little; however, the epididymis of Emballonuridae and Vespertilionidae showed exceptional structures with a large elongation of the caudal region. We observed a wide variation in the positioning of the testes: Phyllostomidae and Noctilionidae presented external testes; Emballonuridae and Molossidae presented migratory testes that may be in intra-abdominal or external positions; and Vespertilionidae displayed scrotal testes. In the histological evaluation, we observed a different pattern in vespertilionid species, with testicular regression and sperm retention/storage in the cauda epididymis in the five species analyzed. Similar testicular regression was observed in Molossops temminckii; however, sperm retention/storage was not observed in this species. These data suggest that although the species analyzed are tropical species that do not present a prolonged period of torpor (hibernation), they still maintain a period of seminiferous tubule regression and sperm storage very similar to that observed in hibernating bats. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The taxonomic value of floral characters in Rapateaceae (Poales-Monocotyledons)

The floral anatomy of Cephalostemon, Monotrema, Rapatea, Spathanthus, and Stegolepis was studied for taxonomic purposes. All species studied share colleters between the floral parts; sepals, petals, anthers, and style covered by an ornamented cuticle; short epidermal cells with sinuous walls on the abaxial surface of the petals; tetrasporangiate anthers with phenolic idioblasts in the epidermis; endothecium with spiral thickenings; incompletely septate ovary; and anatropous, bitegmic ovules. The floral anatomy is useful not only for characterizing the family, but also for delimiting the subfamilies and genera. Sepals with silica bodies in the epidermal cells; mature anther wall composed of epidermis, endothecium, and middle layer; absence of phenolic idioblasts in the sepals, filaments, and ovary; and stylar epidermal cells with thickened external periclinal wall support Rapateoideae. Cephalostemon and Rapatea show a great number of similarities, corroborating their close relationship indicated in the phylogenetic analyses of the family. Monotrema shares few characters with the genera of Rapateoideae, corroborating its placement in Monotremoideae. Stegolepis shows several distinctive characters, probably related to the greater diversity found in this genus. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Wien.

Leaf anatomical features of three Theobroma species (Malvaceae s.l.) native to the Brazilian Amazon

As espécies de Theobroma têm importância econômica devido a sua utilização nas indústrias cosmética e alimentícia, principalmente na produção de chocolate. Entretanto, a anatomia de suas estruturas vegetativas permanece pouco conhecida. O presente estudo teve por objetivo descrever as características anatômicas de Theobroma grandiflorum, T. speciosum e T. subincanum, como contribuição ao conhecimento biológico dessas espécies, bem como, fornecer subsídios aos estudos biotecnológicos de fruteiras nativas da Amazônia. Folhas em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento foram coletadas e analisadas sob microscopia de luz e eletrônica de varredura. Nas folhas expandidas de T. grandiflorum e T. subincanum foram observados tricomas dos tipos estrelado séssil, pedunculado e glandular digitiforme. Estas espécies também foram similares quanto à morfologia da nervura central, à organização do mesofilo e à presença de grãos de amido no parênquima medular da nervura central. Tricomas glandulares claviformes e células mucilaginosas na epiderme do limbo foliar ocorreram somente em T. speciosum. A presença de tricomas secretores de mucilagem nos ápices vegetativos (coléteres) de todas as espécies estudadas é um novo registro para o gênero Theobroma.

The role of B-mode ultrasonography in the musculoskeletal anatomical evaluation of the cervical region of the dog spine

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development and evolution of the gynoecium in Myrteae (Myrtaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A radiologic morphometric study of sellar, infrassellar and parasellar regions by magnetic resonance in adults

To evaluate variations of some anatomic structures of sellar and parasellar regions and their possible differences between genders and age groups. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 380 patients were performed to analyze the dimensions of the sphenoid sinus, pituitary gland, optic chiasm, intra-cavernous carotid distances, distance between columella nasal - sphenoid sinus; and columella nasal-pituitary gland. The patients age ranged between 20 and 80 years (mean age 48 years). The study included 235 females (mean age 53 years) and 145 males (mean age 40 years). The transverse length of the pituitary, the inter-carotid distance and the height of the pituitary were similar between genders and age groups. The width and height of the optic chiasm showed differences only between females of different ages. Males presented greater distances between nasal columella and sphenoid sinus. The most common type of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was the sellar, and depending on the age group, sphenoid sinus was larger in males than females. The anatomy of the Sellar and parasellar regions is complex and varies widely within the normal range. They are a small area, rich in anatomical details affecting multiple physiological systems in the body and, therefore, have great importance in several medical fields. A better understanding of these complex structures is essential in clinical diagnosis and treatment of disease.

PLICATULOSTREA, A NEW GENUS OF PLICATULIDAE (BIVALVIA: PECTINOIDEA) FROM THAILAND

Plicatulostrea onca, a new genus and species of Plicatulidae, is described based on shell and anatomy. The samples were collected under intertidal rocks at Kungkrabaen Bay, Thailand. Plicatulostrea differs from other plicatulids mainly in lacking undulations or shell sculpture, by long projections of the hinge teeth of the right valve and extreme body compression. Plicatulostrea onca has a radially arranged spots at the shell surface and typical plicatulid anatomy, differing mainly by the richness of papillae on the mantle edge and by invasion of the gonad along the mantle lobes. Some comments on the anatomy of the family are also provided.

The skull of the Upper Cretaceous snake Dinilysia patagonica Smith-Woodward, 1901, and its phylogenetic position revisited

The cranial anatomy of Dinilysia patagonica, a terrestrial snake from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina, is redescribed and illustrated, based on high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and better preparations made on previously known specimens, including the holotype. Previously unreported characters reinforce the intriguing mosaic nature of the skull of Dinilysia, with a suite of plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters with respect to extant snakes. Newly recognized plesiomorphies are the absence of the medial vertical flange of the nasal, lateral position of the prefrontal, lizard-like contact between vomer and palatine, floor of the recessus scalae tympani formed by the basioccipital, posterolateral corners of the basisphenoid strongly ventrolaterally projected, and absence of a medial parietal pillar separating the telencephalon and mesencephalon, amongst others. We also reinterpreted the structures forming the otic region of Dinilysia, confirming the presence of a crista circumfenestralis, which represents an important derived ophidian synapomorphy. Both plesiomorphic and apomorphic traits of Dinilysia are treated in detail and illustrated accordingly. Results of a phylogenetic analysis support a basal position of Dinilysia, as the sister-taxon to all extant snakes. The fossil taxa Yurlunggur, Haasiophis, Eupodophis, Pachyrhachis, and Wonambi appear as derived snakes nested within the extant clade Alethinophidia, as stem-taxa to the crown-clade Macrostomata. The hypothesis of a sister-group relationship between Dinilysia and Najash rionegrina, as suggested by some authors, is rejected by the results of our analysis.

A novel approach for the treatment of pelvic abscess: transrectal endoscopic drainage facilitated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery access

Postoperative pelvic abscesses in patients submitted to colorectal surgery are challenging. The surgical approach may be too risky, and image-guided drainage often is difficult due to the complex anatomy of the pelvis. This article describes novel access for drainage of a pelvic collection using a minimally invasive natural orifice approach. A 37 year-old man presented with sepsis due to a pelvic abscess during the second postoperative week after a Hartmann procedure due to perforated rectal cancer. Percutaneous drainage was determined by computed tomography to be unsuccessful, and another operation was considered to be hazardous. Because the pelvic fluid was very close to the rectal stump, transrectal drainage was planned. The rectal stump was opened using transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) instruments. The endoscope was advanced through the TEM working channel and the rectal stump opening, accessing the abdominal cavity and pelvic collection. The pelvic collection was endoscopically drained and the local cavity washed with saline through the scope channel. A Foley catheter was placed in the rectal stump. The patient's recovery after the procedure was successful, without the need for further intervention. Transrectal endoscopic drainage may be an option for selected cases of pelvic fluid collection in patients submitted to Hartmann's procedure. The technique allows not only fluid drainage but also visualization of the local cavity, cleavage of multiloculated abscesses, and saline irrigation if necessary. The use of TEM instrumentation allows safe access to the peritoneal cavity.

Supracerebellar transtentorial approach-resection of the tentorium instead of an opening-to provide broad exposure of the mediobasal temporal lobe: anatomical aspects and surgical applications Clinical article

Object. The aim of this study was to describe the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe and the supracerebellar transtentorial (SCTT) approach performed not with an opening, but with the resection of the tentorium, as an alternative route for the neurosurgical management of vascular and tumoral lesions arising from this region. Methods. Cadaveric specimens were used to illustrate the surgical anatomy of the mediobasal region of the temporal lobe. Demographic aspects, characteristics of lesions, clinical presentation, surgical results, follow-up findings, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed for patients referred to receive the SCTT approach with tentorial resection. Results. Ten patients (83%) were female and 2 (17%) were male. Their ages ranged from 6 to 59 years (mean 34.5 +/- 15.8 years). All lesions (3 posterior cerebral artery aneurysms, 3 arteriovenous malformations, 3 cavernous malformations, and 3 tumors) were completely excluded or resected. After a mean follow-up period of 143 months (range 10-240 months), the mean postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 4.9. Conclusions. Knowledge of the surgical anatomy provides improvement for microsurgical approaches. The evolution from a small opening to a resection of the tentorium absolutely changed the exposure of the mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe. The SCTT approach with tentorial resection is an excellent alternative route to the posterior part of mediobasal aspect of the temporal lobe, and it was enough to achieve the best neurosurgical management of tumoral and vascular lesions located in this area. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2011.12.JNS111256)