Items tagged “anatomy”

Crossed renal ectopia is said to be present when the kidney is seen in the opposite retroperitoneal space. It is more common for the left kidney to be ectopically located on the right side. More than 85% of these get fused resulting in crossed fused renal ectopia. Less than 15% cases are non-fus...

The inguinal ligament (also known as Poupart's ligament or the fallopian ligament) is a fibrous band extending from the anterior superior iliac spine to the pubic tubercle. It is an important anatomical landmark and denotes the transition of the pelvis to the lower limb. Gross anatomy The ingu...

The pyrimidalis muscle is a small paired triangular muscle of the lower anterior abdominal wall that is rudimentary and variably present in humans. Summary origin: pubic symphysis and pubic crest insertion: linea alba at the midway point between umbilicus and pubis innervation: ventral T12 s...

The rectouterine pouch (TA: excavatio rectouterina 3), also known as the rectovaginal pouch, cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas, is an extension of peritoneum between the posterior wall of uterus and the rectum in females. It is the most dependent part of the peritoneal cavity and is analogous to th...

The hepatic artery proper, also known as the proper hepatic artery (PHA), is the continuation of the common hepatic artery after it gives off the gastroduodenal artery. Just prior to the porta hepatis it divides into the left and right hepatic arteries. Gross anatomy Course The hepatic artery...

The radius (plural: radii) is one of the two long bones present in the forearm, located laterally in the supinated anatomical position. It has a smaller proximal end and enlarges to a larger distal end (opposite to the ulna).  Gross anatomy Osteology The proximal radius comprises the articula...

The lacrimal gland lies in the superolateral aspect of the orbit. It is part of the lacrimal apparatus and is responsible for tear production.  Gross anatomy The lacrimal gland is roughly almond-sized and located anteriorly in the superolateral aspect of the extraconal space of the orbit. It h...

The internal capsule (TA: capsula interna) is a deep subcortical structure that contains a concentration of afferent and efferent white matter projection fibers. Anatomically, this is an important area because of the high concentration of both motor and sensory projection fibers 1,2. Afferent fi...

The nervus intermedius, also known as intermediate nerve of Wrisberg, is a part of the facial nerve (CN VII) which contains somatic sensory, special sensory, and visceral motor (secretomotor) fibers 1. Gross anatomy Nuclei superior salivatory nucleus 7 forms the parasympathetic root (general...

The axis is the second cervical vertebra, commonly called C2. It is an atypical cervical vertebra with unique features and important relations that make it easily recognisable. Its most prominent feature is the odontoid process (also know as the dens or peg), which is embryologically the body of...

The scapula (plural: scapulae) is a roughly triangular shaped bone of the pectoral girdle with several articulations connecting to the humerus and clavicle.  Gross anatomy Osteology The main part of the scapula, the body, consists of a somewhat triangular-shaped flat blade, with an inferiorly...

The cervical spine (often shortened to C-spine) is the upper part of the spine extending from the skull base to the thorax at the level of the first vertebra with a rib attached to it. It normally consists of seven vertebrae. Its main function is to support the skull and maintain the relative po...

The seventh cervical vertebra, C7, also known as the vertebra prominens, shares similar characteristics of the like typical cervical vertebra C3-C6, but has some distinct features making it one of the atypical vertebrae. The name vertebra prominens arises from its long spinous process, which is ...

Of the seven cervical vertebrae, C3 through C6 have typical anatomy, while C7 looks very similar. C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) have very distinct anatomical features. For a basic anatomic description of the structure a generic vertebra, see vertebrae. Gross anatomy small, oval-shaped vertebral bod...

The talus (plural: tali 4), historically known as the astragalus, is a tarsal bone in the hindfoot that articulates with the tibia, fibula, calcaneus, and navicular bones. It has no muscular attachments and around 60% of its surface is covered by articular cartilage.  Gross anatomy The talus h...

The calcaneus, also referred to as the calcaneum, (plural: calcanei or calcanea) is the largest tarsal bone and the major bone in the hindfoot. It articulates with the talus superiorly and the cuboid anteriorly and shares a joint space with the talonavicular joint, appropriately called the taloc...

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a normal foetal interatrial connection which can persist into adult life. This can cause stroke due to paradoxical embolus. Terminology PFO is an anatomical variant due to persistence of a normal foetal structure rather than a malformation, in contradistinction ...

The Eustachian valve, also known as the "valve of the inferior vena cava", is a ridge of variable thickness in the inferior right atrium. It is a remnant of a fetal structure that directed incoming oxygenated blood to the foramen ovale and away from the right atrium.   Radiographic features In...

Cervical spine ligaments ordered from anterior to posterior include: anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) anterior atlanto-occipital membrane apical ligament alar ligaments (paired) cruciate ligament of the atlas longitudinal band: joins the body of the axis to the foramen magnum transver...

The flexor retinaculum (also known as the transverse carpal ligament) is a rectangular-shaped fibrous band located at the volar aspect of the hand, near the wrist. Gross anatomy The flexor retinaculum encloses and forms the roof of the carpal tunnel. The ulna aspect of the flexor retinaculum f...