The carotid body and associated tumors: updated review with clinical/surgical significance.

The carotid body functions as a chemoreceptor and receives richer blood supply, by weight, than any other organ in the body. We review the literature regarding the anatomy, histology, and function of the carotid body and the incidence, functionality, and clinical relevance of carotid body tumors and paragangliomas. These lesions are often nonfunctional but can be associated with catecholamine secretion.

Conjoined twins: From conception to separation, a review.

Conjoined twins are suggested to result from aberrant embryogenesis. The two main theories proposed to explain the phenomena are fission and fusion. The incidence rate is 1 in 50,000 births; however, since about 60% of the cases are stillborn, the true incidence is approximated at 1 in 200,000.

Brachial plexus anesthesia: A review of the relevant anatomy, complications, and anatomical variations.

The trend towards regional anesthesia began in the late 1800s when William Halsted and Richard Hall experimented with cocaine as a local anesthetic for upper and lower limb procedures. Regional anesthesia of the upper limb can be achieved by blocking the brachial plexus at varying stages along the course of the trunks, divisions, cords and terminal branches. The four most common techniques used in the clinical setting are the interscalene block, the supraclavicular block, the infraclavicular block, and the axillary block.

Guillaume Rondelet (1507-1566): Cardinal physician and anatomist who dissected his own son.

The 16th century French anatomist Guillaume Rondelet will be remembered as a great naturalist and a founder of ichthyology. Little known to most is that Rondelet was a proficient anatomist and contemporary to Vesalius and in fact, both studied anatomy under Johannes Guinter. Even less known is that he established the first dissecting theatre at Montpellier and it was here that he would dissect his infant son in an attempt to identify the cause of death.

Petrus Camper: A history and overview of the clinical importance of Camper's fascia in surgical anatomy.

Petrus Camper's contributions to modern anatomical science include descriptions of the foot, upper limb, axilla, and inguinal region. His explanation of the etiology of inguinal hernias revolutionized the surgical practice of their repair. Camper's description of abdominal anatomy was an invaluable contribution to the field of abdominal surgery.

The clinical anatomy of the coronary arteries.

There are a manifold number of variations and anomalies of the origin and course of coronary arteries described in the literature. The incidence of such variations in the general population is reported to range between 0.3 and 1.

Robert Liston (1794-1847): surgical anatomist and resurrectionist with an interest in hydrocephalus.

Introduction: The Scottish surgeon Robert Liston was an accomplished anatomist of the nineteenth century. The study of anatomy during this day was often overshadowed by the so-called resurrectionists.

Conclusions: The present historic paper reviews the life and contributions of Robert Liston and discusses his fascination with childhood hydrocephalus.