Potential of P40 plastination for morphometric hip measurements

Total hip replacement has become one of the most successful surgical operations over the past 25 years. The duration of a total hip prosthesis depends on primary stability, and many studies have tried precisely to evaluate hip joint morphology to obtain excellent contact between bone and prosthetic component. This study performed a morphometric analysis of the human hip joint using, for the first time, the P40 plastination procedure. We cut 42 hip joint compounds into slices 3 mm thick; for exact distance measuring the sections were scanned into the computer. The following mean measurements for hip geometry were obtained: vertical diameter of acetabulum 4.894±0.274 cm, depth of acetabulum 1.643±0.245 cm, femoral head radius 2.268±0.149 cm, femoral neck length 4.3670±0.528 cm, acetabular perimeter 6.711±0.434 cm, vertical diameter of labrum acetabulare 4.759±0.476 cm, depth of labrum acetabulare 2.599±0.395 cm, sum of femoral head and neck lengths 6.759±0.550 cm, hip axis length 11.859±1.007 cm, femoral neck axis length 10.12±0.555 cm, and femoral neck diameter 3.349±0.276 cm. All of these data reveal a significant gender difference. Our aim was to indicate an unconventional and new method of gaining morphometric hip data by using plastination.     

The attachments of the conus elasticus to the laryngeal skeleton: Physiologic and clinical implications

The attachments of the inferior and dorsal extensions of the lateral parts of the conus elasticus (CE) are not fully understood. A re-investigation was done in plastinated serial sections of 20 adult human larynges. The CE consists of a coherent sheet of connective tissue fibers dividing into two layers toward the inferior anchorage to the cricoid arch, and the posterior anchorage to the cricoid lamina. Caudally, the medial fiber layer is continuous with the submucous fibro-elastic membrane of the trachea and is not connected to the cricoid cartilage. The lateral caudal fiber layer is attached to the superior rim of the cricoid arch. Dorsally, both layers of the CE are fixed to the cricoid lamina, the lateral sheet to the lateral edge of the cartilage, the medial sheet to its anterior perichondrium near the midline. Towards the cricoarytenoid joint, the dorsal extension of the CE divides into a caudal and a cranial sheet including a fold of adipose tissue at the base of the arytenoid cartilage. The cranial layer extends towards the vocal process, the caudal layer radiates into the joint capsule and may therefore influence the complicated joint mechanics. The firm attachments of the CE to the cricoid cartilage probably counteract deformations of the CE during phonation. An insufficient fixation of the CE may contribute to an obstruction of the airways causing sleep apnea. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Meckel腔MRI与薄层断面解剖学研究

目的对Meckel腔进行MRI与塑化切片对照研究,获得正常影像学和断层解剖学资料.方法采用生物塑化技术制作横断位、矢状位和冠状位各1例薄层切片,并完成60例正常人Meckel腔MRI扫描,对Meckel腔的形态进行对比观察,并测量其大小.结果Meckel腔的形态、大小在塑化切片与MRI上有良好的对应关系,Meckel腔左右两侧前后径分别为(1.33±0.20)cm、(1.37±0.24)cm,上下径分别为(1.28±0.20)cm、(1.22±0.18)cm,横径分别为(0.61±0.13)cm、(0.60 cm±0.14)cm,左右冠状面断面面积分别为(0.47±0.12)cm2、(0.45±0.13)cm2,在性别、年龄和左右侧间均无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论MRI能够准确显示Meckel腔的形态、大小,是评价Meckel腔的准确的影像学技术,塑化切片能够为其断面影像学的进一步研究提供解剖学基础.     

Vein of Galen aneurysm: anatomical study of an adult autopsy case

We present a case of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation in an adult, the rupture of which caused a fatal hemorrhage. Macroscopic examination, together with plastination of specimen with S10, and microscopic examination showed connection of the aneurysm with the right thalamoperforating artery and, bilaterally, with the posterior choroidal and mesencephalic arteries. Histology also showed thinning of the aneurysmal wall, due to marked reduction of the muscular media at the point of rupture, and its connection with an arteriovenous malformation of the left thalamus. A review of the anatomy of the Galenic system shows that the medullary veins curve at an acute angle to form the paired internal cerebral veins, with a sudden change in flow and that, from late fetal life, the vein of Galen curves around the splenium to enter the straight sinus at an angle opposing its flow. Based on anatomical study and a review of the literature, we suggest that aneurysmatic dilatation of the vein of Galen may result from a combination of pathological and predisposing anatomical factors. The anatomical characteristics of the origin of the internal cerebral veins and of the entry of the vein of Galen into the straight sinus make particularly susceptible to the hemodynamic effects of arteriovenous shunts the vein of Galen itself, which is situated in the cisterna ambiens, an anatomical space that does not impede its enlargement.     

两种塑化材料对断层解剖标本制作效果的比较

目的:研究2种不同塑化材料制作的断层解剖标本的差异.方法:分别采用硅橡胶技术和聚酯共聚体技术制备人体断层标本,并进行比较.结果:硅橡胶技术所制备的标本不透明;聚酯共聚体技术制备的断层解剖标本半透明.硅橡胶材料制备的断层标本不适于研究组织纤维走向和筋膜结构,适用于标本防腐保存;聚酯共聚体材料制备的断层标本可以清晰地显示组织的纤维走向和筋膜结构,同时标本的厚度均匀,表面平滑,硬度较高.结论:聚酯共聚体材料制备的断层标本优于硅橡胶材料,此方法将会发展成为断层解剖学研究的常用技术.     

E12 sheet plastination: Techniques and applications

Plastination is an anatomical technique that consists of replacing the liquids and fat of specimens by reactive polymers through forced impregnation in a vacuum. These are then polymerized to achieve the final result. E12 sheet plastination involves epoxy resin impregnation of thin (2–4 mm) and ultra‐thin (<2 mm) tissue sheets, producing dry, transparent, odorless, non‐toxic and long‐lasting sheets. E12 sheet plastination techniques were reviewed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and SciELO databases, and manual searches. After searching, 616 records were found using the online and manual searches (MEDLINE, n: 207; EMBASE, n: 346; SciELO, n: 44; Manual search: 23). Finally, 96 records were included in this review (after duplicates and articles unrelated to the subject were excluded). The aim of this work was to review the E12 sheet plastination technique, searching for articles concerning views of it, identifying the different variants implemented by researchers since its creation by Gunther von Hagens, and to identify its applications from teaching and research in anatomy to morphological sciences. Clin. Anat. 31:742–756, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Using and respecting the dead human body: An anatomist's perspective

In his stimulating article enquiring into what the living owe the dead, Wilkinson (2013, Clin. Anat. DOI: 10.1002/ca.22263 ) sought to unpack a range of ethical questions of considerable interest to anatomists. In this, he looked closely at the extent to which we are or are not to respect all the prior wishes of the deceased, and the implications of this for the role of the family in providing consent, the use of unclaimed bodies, and the public display of bodies. Some of his conclusions challenge widely encountered views by anatomists. In this response I have re‐visited these topics in an attempt to ground his arguments in the experience of anatomists, by emphasizing the many intimate connections that exist between each of these areas. The following emerge as issues for further debate. I accept that the wishes of the deceased are preeminent, so that authorities should make every effort to abide by these. This reiterates the importance of body bequests over against unclaimed bodies, and provides a context for assessing the role of family consent. This has repercussions for all activities employing dead bodies, from the dissecting room to public plastination exhibitions. In determining the extent to which the wishes of the deceased are followed the input of other interested parties is a relevant consideration. An ethical assessment of the public display of bodies needs to take into account the nature of the plastination process. Clin. Anat. 27:839–843, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Skin ligaments: regional distribution and variation in morphology

Skin ligaments (SL) (L. retinacula cutis) are present extensively in the face, hands, feet, and in breast tissue, but have seldom been reported elsewhere in the body. The traditional histological view of the subcutaneous region is that it comprises a matrix of loose connective tissue devoid of fibrous specializations. The purpose of this study was to determine the structure and distribution of skin ligaments. Eight embalmed cadavers (3 males, 5 females, 69-90 years of age) were used in this study. Tissue was prepared using the E12 plastination technique. Macroscopic and microscopic examination demonstrated the widespread presence in the limbs and most of the rest of the body of fibrous strands linking the base of the dermis and the superficial fibers of the underlying deep fascia. The morphology and distribution of these skin ligaments were similar in the individuals examined. Variations in the structure of the skin ligaments depended on the presence of underlying muscle, neurovascular bundles, intermuscular septa and adipose tissue. We conclude that skin ligaments are complex fibrous structures that are present over most of the body. They form an extensive peripheral network in the subcutaneous fat. These 'ligaments' seem to provide an anchorage of skin to deep fascia that is flexible and yet resistant to mechanical loading from multi-directional forces. The use of the E12 plastination technique coupled with fluorescent confocal microscopy has been of benefit in visualizing and delineating SLs from other soft tissue structures in three planes.