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The use of Terminologia Anatomica (TA) in Latin America still remains a serious problem of scientific communication among professionals and students in the healthcare field and related sciences. The use of different terms for the same structure can lead to increased medical errors and jeopardize patient safety and satisfaction. In Latin America the current use of anatomical terminology is an academic dilemma, which translates into communication errors, and a lack of understanding, when different terms are used for the same structure. This is also true when considering texts used in anatomical teaching that have not followed the recommendations of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA). Several attempts have been made to translate the terms from Latin to Spanish, initially from the Nomina Anatomica, and later from the TA, though there were numerous final errors. Scarce knowledge of Latin may be a contributing factor, however, a number of morphologists who participated in these translations, simply did not accept the Latin terminology, insisting instead on the use of well-recognized terms in Spanish, even though these may not be correct. Thus, the objective was to review some texts used in academics in morphological sciences, particularly literature used by students in the healthcare fields. Also, some texts related to anatomical nomenclature and terminology edited by the Spanish Society of Anatomy were reviewed. Another objective is to evaluate comments and reviews of the activities and efforts realized in this area thus far, mainly in the Ibero-Latin American Symposium on Anatomical, Histological and Embryological Terminology (SILAT) in order to finally unify the TA correctly in the Spanish language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lateral plantar nerve is a terminal branch of the tibial nerve, which innervates most of the foot's musculature, and also provides sensory innervation to the sole of the foot. In this present review we address various aspects of the lateral plantar nerve from its origin to its division, emphasizing those branches that, as a result of their anatomical disposition have been identified as causing compression syndrome. Furthermore, thorough knowledge and experience of anatomical variations are essential in procedures of the plantar region. Numerous studies have been carried out to accurately describe the path and relationship of the first branches of the lateral plantar nerve. Branches originating directly from the lateral plantar nerve are for the abductor digiti minimi and quadratus plantae muscles, in addition to a lateral cutaneous branch. Among these anatomical variations it is possible to find medial calcaneal branches, common trunk for medial calcaneal branches and abductor digiti minimi muscle, vascular branches for the plantar vessels, 2 or 3 branches for the quadrate plantae muscle, common trunk for the abductor digiti minimi muscle an quadratus plantae muscle, branch for the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle, "anastomotic" branch for the medial plantar nerve and branch for long plantar ligament. Updated and absolute knowledge of the anatomy of the foot are necessary, particularly during those surgical procedures that require precision, with fewer invasive approaches and positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superficial circumflex iliac artery is a small vessel that originates, usually in the femoral artery at the femoral triangle, heading parallel to the inguinal ligament to the anterior superior iliac spine. Currently it is frequently used in free flaps for head, neck, limbs and even in penile reconstruction. We dissected 68 inguinal regions in corpses in formolized topographic anatomy courses of the Universidad de La Frontera, Chile and Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. The superficial circumflex iliac artery had a diameter of 1.42 mm on average, and the distance from its origin to the inguinal ligament was 15.1 mm. The artery originated directly from the femoral artery in 47 cases (69.1%), from a common trunk with the superficial epigastric artery in 14 (20.5%) and the lateral femoral circumflex artery in three cases (4.41%) and four other sources (5.9%). Although it has a small diameter, superficial circumflex iliac artery is important for the anatomist as well as vascular and plastic surgeons, and essential for success in obtaining a good flap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of the supernumerary muscles originated in the forearm, with the muscular belly prolonging to the hand is infrequent. Therefore, there is not much literature available regarding this subject, despite that these muscles could produce symptoms of compression at the carpal tunnel or ulnar tunnel level. We describe the presence of a supernumerary fascicle of the abductor digiti minimi muscle, located in the forearm and hand of a formolized adult male cadaver, dissected at the Anatomy Unit of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de La Frontera, Chile. The supernumerary muscle destined to the digiti minimi, originated by means of carnous fibers in the distal tertium of the forearm from the tendon of an accessory palmaris longus muscle. Closely related with the ulnar vessels and ulnar nerve, it inserted along with the abductor the digiti minimi muscle, flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle and part of the opponens digiti minimi muscle, in the proximal phalanx digiti minimi of the hand. This muscular fascicle maintained a close anatomical relation at the carpal level, with the ulnar nerve, possibly having caused an eventual compression of this nerve on its passage through the ulnar canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access of the cubital fossa to the superficial veins is very frequent, this being one of the most frequent vein puncture sites. Although it is a simple procedure, it is invasive and at times painful. The disposition of the superficial veins of the cubital area has been described by numerous authors and in diverse ethnic groups, describing many variations and various patterning. The superficial veins of the of the cubital fossa have been independently described, forming an M, N, Y or W. Numerous studies in different races and ethnic groups have demonstrated similarities and differences in the disposition of the superficial veins of the cubital fossa. In 1908 Berry & Newton determined that in 83% of British men the cephalic vein of the forearm (CVF) and the basilic vein of the forearm (BVF) were connected by the median cubital vein (MCV) Okamoto (1922) in Japanese men, determined 3 types of venous patterns. Type I where the CVF originates the MCV, the accessory cephalic vein (ACV) does not exist, and the (CVF) does not duplicate; Type II is characterized by the duplication of the CVF and a Type III, that includes the ACV which drains in the CVF. In white and black men Charles (1932) indicated that the most frequent distribution (nearly 70% of the cases), was that where the CVF and the BFV were connected by the MCV. Soller et al. (1962, 1964) in Africans from West Africa, distinguished three types of venous formations. Group I classic dispositions, types in M or apparent (38.1%) Groups II and III described as dispositions of the embryological type constitute 62% of the cases. Halim & Abdi (1974) observed 3 types in Hindus types: 1) Type I. The CVF and the BVF are connected by the MCV; Type II. The CVF drains in the BVF: the median vein of the forearm (MVF) drains in the CVF. Type III. There is no communication between the CVF and the BFV in the cubital fossa and it is subdivided in Types III A and III B. Wasfi et al. (1986) described 6 types of venous formations in Iraqis, indicating that two of them had not been mentioned previously. The most common type was the division of the MVF in two veins, one of which joined to the BVF and the other to the CVF. Del Sol et al. (1988) classified the venous formations of the cubital fossa in 5 Types: I the CVF divides into median basilic vein (BMV) and median cephalic vein (MCV), joining the BVF and ACV respectively. Type II, the CVF originates vein MCV which joints BVA, ACV does not exist. Type III there is no communication between BVF and CVF at the level of the cubital fossa, Type IV the CVF drains in the BVF and the MVF drains in the CVF. Type V other dispositions, where the classic M is included which results from the MVF division. With respect to the diameter of the veins it appears to be the consensus that depending on the type of formation of the MVF and the MCB these are of the greater diameter. The use of the MCV is recommended when it presents a similar diameter to the MBV or the MCV since the risks of puncture to other anatomical structures, such as anterior branches of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm or brachial artery are minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine some stereological parameters of the glands of the prostatic complex in the rabbit and thereby setting the basis for future morphofunctional studies. Five rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), males, adults, clinically healthy and mantained in the Biotery of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile, were used. The pelvic region was dissected and the prostatic complex of the other glands was isolated. The samples were fixed in Bouin solution for 24 hours and processed for inclusion in paraplast. Serial cuts of 5mm which were stained with hematoxilin eosin for stereological analysis. The results showed that the prostatic complex of the rabbit was composed of four glands: prostate (cranial to vesicular gland), proprostate (caudal to vesicular gland and cranial to the prostate) and two paraprostates (inferior and lateral to the prostate). The average of the glandular cells in the prostate was 7,3 × 106/ mm3 (S. D. 1,8 × 106); in the proprostate was 10,33 × 106/ mm3 (S. D. 2,45 × 106); in the right paraprostate was 13,57 × 106/ mm3 (S. D. 2,84 × 106) and in the left paraprostate was 11,91 × 106/ mm3 (S. D. 2,97 × 106). The percentage average of the glandular cells in the prostate was 14,12% (S. D. 3,01); in the proprostate was 13,56% (S. D. 3,13); in the right paraprostate was 18,80% (S. D. 3,04) and in the left paraprostate was 18,59% (S. D. 3,43). The gland of the prostatic complex show morphological differences among themselves and in particular, its stereological aspects, with paraprostates which showed an increased number of glandular cells and higher percentage of glandular tissue ( similar to the bulbourethral gland), which could indicate that each of the glands of this complex plays specific functional roles in the reproductives processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In man the calaneous tendon (CT) is the most voluminous and resistent tendon in the body: its insertion is a vital element of the foot joint mechanism as well as in a number of disorders that affect talocrural and calcaneal regions. For the present study 120 lower members (60 right and 60 left) of tormolized cadavers, adult subjects of both sexes were used. Posterior surface of the leg was disected from the joint line of the knee to the lower part of the calcaneal removing precalcaneus adipose tissue, exposing the CT. We observed that in 62 cases (51.67%) the CT was formed exclusively by fusion of aponeurosis of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. In 38 cases (31.67%) tendon of the plantar muscle contributes to the partial formation of the CT, and fully integrated in 20 cases (16.66%). Width of the CT at the soleus muscle belly end, was 12.88 mm ± 2.0 in men and 11.55 mm ± 1.6 women and density at the same level was 4.29 mm ± 0.64 in men and 4.36 mm ± 0.64 in women. Width of the CT at the posterosuperior border of the calcaneal was 17.98 mm ± 17 in men, and 17.06 mm ± 1.53 in women. CT density at the same level was 3.79 mm ± 0.61 in men and 3.93 mm ± 0.67 in women. Distance between posterosupcrior border of the calcaneal and starting point of the inserted portion of the CT was 10.99 mm ± 2.11 in men and 10.84 ± 2.71 in women. Length of the inserted portion of the CT was 17.78 mm ± 2.4 in men and 17.66 mm ± 4.75 in women. Width of the CT at the insertion level in the calcaneus bone was 28.77 mm ± 2.53 in men and 27.21 mm ± 2.93 in women. Insertional CT tendinopathy is a chronic condition in some cases requiring surgical debridement of the tendon. Therefore, knowledge of morphological aspects of the CT and its insertion is important at the time of surgical procedures of the talocrural region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to identity the origin and distribution of the circt, mflex femoral arteries (CFA) at the time of vascular reconstructive surgery. The femoral triangle contents in 92 lower extremities of formolized adult male cadavers of differen! ethnic groups, were dissected uncovering the femoral artery (FA) and its branches originating at the level of the femoral triangle. The origin of each CFA was identified determining the origin type and location. The medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) originated from the FA in 43 cases (46.7%); from the profunda femoris artery (PFA) in 41 cases (44.6%); from a common trunk formed by the PFA and CFA in 7 cases (7.6%), and in one case (1.1%) from the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA). In 75 cases (81.5%) the MCFA was most proximal than the LCFA, and in 9 cases (9.8%) it originated at the same level. The LCFA originated at the PFA in 68 cases (73.9%): from the FA in 17 cases ( 18.5%): from a common trunk formed by the PFA and CFA in 7 cases (7.6%). The origin of the LCFA was considered regardless, whether the descending branch originated therein or from the FA. Considering the presence of a number of important elements it is essential to identify the precise origin of the arteries and its eventual variations in procedures carried out in that area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]