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Statistical shape analysis, a relatively a new method for biological research, compares body forms by using specific landmarks determined by anatomical prominences. In this study, we aimed to identify normal facial asymmetry between the right and the left sides of the face. Facial landmark data were collected from two-dimensional digital images of 321 young healthy subjects (150 males and 171 females). These data were analysed using Euclidean distance matrix analysis. The number of significantly asymmetric linear distances between the two halves of the face was greater in females than in males. We found that the left side of the face was most commonly dominant in both males and females. Such data may be useful in establishing a database for future similar studies.

Mylohyoid bridging on the mandible is a hyperostotic variation considered as one of the cranial non-metric characteristics. Most researchers have indicated that such non-quantitative traits can be used for the investigation of population history and these traits show differences according to societies. In the present study, we investigated the incidence of mylohyoid groove bridging on 89 half-mandibles (48 right sides, 41 left sides; 39 complete mandibles, nine right and two left half-mandibles) from the Byzantine period,, dated approximately eight centuries back. We observed that the incidence of mylohyoid bridging was 8.9% for the Byzantine mandibles with no side predilection. The incidence of bridging observed in the present sample was compared with those of earlier studies. Mylohyoid bridging may be useful as a non-metric feature in population studies when used in combination with other characteristics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the shape differences in the corpus callosum (CC) and cerebellum of female relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients compared with healthy controls. This study was conducted using the magnetic resonance imaging scans of 15 control subjects, 26 RRMS, and 14 SPMS patients. The data obtained from the landmark coordinates were analyzed with statistical shape analysis. The landmarks that were chosen to determine the shape differences of the CC and cerebellum have been identified and used in previous studies. In addition to these landmarks, constructed landmarks were determined and used to assess regional shape differences better. The shapes of the CC and cerebellum showed statistically significant differences from the controls when compared with both the RRMS and SPMS patients. It was found that the deformation observed from controls to SPMS was greater than the deformation from controls to RRMS, both for the CC and cerebellum. In conclusion, this study revealed CC and cerebellar shape change in RRMS and SPMS, and showed that deformations both in CC and cerebellum advances with the disease progression. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley-Periodicals, Inc.

The aim of this study was to assess the shape differences of the corpus callosum (CC) in patients with Behçet's disease using statistical shape analysis (SSA). Additionally, an attempt was made to investigate the changes in CC size according to disease duration. Twenty-five adults with clinically diagnosed Behçet's disease and 25 age- and gender-matched controls were examined by high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging. The data obtained from the coordinate of landmarks were analyzed with Euclidean distance matrix analysis and a thin-plate spline analysis. SSA and growth curve models were performed to investigate group differences and to fit the curves. A significant difference was determined between CC shape of Behçet patients and controls (P = 0.006). Based on the analysis, a decrease occurred in the CC size of the Behçet patients as the duration of disease increased. Maximum deformations were determined in the landmarks of interior notch of the splenium, inferior tip of the splenium, posterior-most point of the CC, and topmost point of the CC. Similarly, the landmark of anterior-most point of the CC was identified as having the minimum deformation. Behçet patients had significantly different CC shapes from control subjects. The results suggest that SSA is a promising tool for distinguishing Behçet patients from normal subjects, and that it can give useful information to assist clinicians. Additionally, SSA might be applied to detect shape differences in anatomical structures that are affected by a broad range of neurological diseases.

Inter-population variation of cranial morphology, which plays an important role in human evolution studies and biological research, can be studied morphologically and metrically. Geometric morphometry compares body forms using specific landmarks determined by anatomical prominences. The aim of this study was to identify cranial shape differences between the crania of Byzantium period humans and modern humans. Variability in cranial shape was examined using the geometric morphometric technique based on landmark coordinates. Landmark coordinate data were collected from two-dimensional digital photogrammetry and were analyzed using generalized Procrustes analysis, hierarchical clustering and thin-plate spline analysis.

In this study, we aimed to (1) propose landmarks for the hippocampus in a rat brain using an experimental study and (2) investigate hippocampus shape changes in a rat brain with epilepsy using the statistical shape analysis method. We have used the statistical shape analysis method to illustrate hippocampal shape deformation due to epilepsy. Statistical shape analysis is of increasing interest to the neuroimaging community because of its potential for locating morphological changes. Nineteen rat brains (ten healthy and nine epileptic) with hematoxylin and eosin images of the hippocampus were used. The results strongly indicated that the normalized hippocampal shape of the epileptic group was different from the nonepileptic group; deformation was seen most significantly in the medial regions of the cornu ammonis (CA1 and CA3) of the hippocampus. In conclusion, our landmark-based methodology detected regional differences in the hippocampus in epilepsy. This study may serve as an initial reference for future studies on shape alteration of the hippocampus associated with certain medical conditions.

Sensations of the dorsal surface of the hand are supplied by the radial and ulnar nerves with the boundary between these two nerves classically being the midline of the fourth digit. Overlap and variations of this division exist and a communicating branch (RUCB) between the radial and ulnar nerves could potentially explain variations in the sensory examination of the dorsal hand. The aim of this study was to examine the origin and distribution of the RUCB thereby providing information that may potentially decrease iatrogenic injury to this connection. We grossly examined 200 formalin-fixed adult human hands. A RUCB was found to be present in 120 hands (60%). Of the specimens with RUCBs, we were able to identify four notable types. Type I (71, 59.1%) originated proximally from the radial nerve and proceeded distally to join the ulnar nerve. Type II (23, 19.1%) originated proximally from the ulnar nerve and proceeded distally to join the radial nerve. Type III (4, 3.3%) traveled perpendicularly between the radial and ulnar nerves so that it was not possible to determine which nerve served as its point of origin. Type IV (18.3%) had multiple RUCBs arising from both the radial and ulnar nerves. With the continual development of new surgical techniques and the ongoing effort to decrease postoperative complications, it is hoped that this study will provide useful information to both anatomists and surgeons.

Ercan, Ilker/0000-0002-2382-290X; Guney, ibrahim/0000-0001-8290-6532 WOS: 000247821500008 PubMed: 17538981 Sexual dimorphic characteristics, which play an important role in human evolution studies and biological research, can be studied morphologically and metrically. Geometric morphometrics allows a better assessment of morphological characteristics. Statistical shape analysis has a long history in neuroanatomical and other research. The aim of this study was to identify shape differences of the corpus callosum between genders. Landmark coordinate data were collected from two-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging scans of 93 homogeneously aged patients, 45 men and 48 women. These data were analyzed using Euclidean distance matrix analysis and thin plate spline analysis. The general shape variability of the corpus callosum of men was greater than that of women (men, 0.134; women, 0.097). We found no significant difference between sexes in the general shape of the corpus callosum, but we did find significant differences in the distances between some landmarks. Deformation of the corpus callosum between men to women was mainly detected in the posterior of the corpus callosum. These results serve as a reference for future studies on shape alterations of the corpus callosum associated with certain conditions.

An unusual inferior attachment of pectoralis minor muscle was found on the right side of a male cadaver. The tendinous attachment, originating only from the 5th rib, was detected during the routine practical dissections. There were no other associated features in the thoracic region of this cadaver. We believe that this variation that has not been reported previously in the literature, should be taken into consideration by the surgeons. Clin. Anat. 17:416–417, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.