BACKGROUND: Nasal alar cartilage constitutes the main component of the lower 1/3 of the nose, that is, nose tip, nose wing, and nasal columella, its structure has a decisive role on the nose shape, especially the tip of the nose shape. The intensive study on nasal alar cartilage will help deepen our understandings of nasal alar cartilage morphology, structure and function, and help clinicians to correctly handle the lesions of nose and the lower part and to carry out medical beauty. OBJECTIVE: By observing external nasal anatomy, to clarify the histological role of nasal alar cartilage on nose shape, especially the nasal tip shape.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Experimental observation of repeated measurement was conducted at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from September 1~(st) to 26~(th), 2006.MATERIALS: Well-preserved bodies of 15 fresh adult, containing 10 males and 5 females were used in this study.METHODS: To fully observe the fine structure of external nose, 30 sides of 15 external noses were dissected, and autopsy started from the medium dorsum of nose, layered anatomy, to observe various layers and the characteristics of the layers with blood vessels, focusing on observation of in vitro pre - and free post-nasal alar cartilage morphology, and measurement and recording were performed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Big foot medial alar cartilage, lateral feet and the angle of inside and outside legs were measured.RESULTS: Alar cartilage was open for a pair of backward "u"-shaped thin cartilage plate, and lateral nasal cartilage was located below and anteriomedialis the nose, was composed of medial and lateral crus and fornix, with thin body shape, unfixed structure. The shape of fornix was difficult to accurately describe; most presented wavy or folded. Lateral crus presented diamond-shaped or long strip, (16.21±2.71) mm in length, (8.45±1.72) mm in width, (1.09±0.18) mm in thickness. Cephalic rim intersected lower edge of lateral nasal cartilage, and slightly covered the lower edge of the lateral nasal cartilage, so that the two were overlapped, but also only the intersection without overlapping. Lateral crus constituted the base of nasal wings. Narrow medial crus formed nasal tip and the frame of front nasal columeila, showing posteroinferior curve or S shape, (13.06±2.16) mm in length, (3.79±0.58) mm in width, (1.02±0.18) mm in thickness. The left and right medial crus in the middle were connected by connective tissue, and in the same way connected to the anterior margin of the lateral nasal cartilage. Medial and lateral crus in the nasal tip showed an acute angle intersection, its angle (75.25±11.17)°. The medial and lateral crus intersected in the nasal tip and formed the fomix of the greater alar cartilage. The bilateral cornix constituted the frame of the nasal tip. CONCLUSION: Meager nasal alar cartilage is composed of the medial crus, lateral crus and fornix, which determined the nose shape, especially the nasal tip shape. External nose plastic surgery should pay attention to the protection of nasal alar cartilage.

Objective To explore the anatomical basis for clinical application of the compound flap pedicled with arterial arch of palpebral margin by observing eyelid blood supply and anatomical structure and to prove that it is an ideal method of repairing the eyelid defect for clinical application. Methods 15 adult cadavers (30 eyelids) were dissected. The origin, course, branches, diameters and vessel networks of palpebral margin arterial arch were observed particularly. 30 cases of eyelid marginal defect were reviewed and the therapeutic effect of this method evaluated. Results Eyelid was constituted by 5 layers: skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, tarsal plate and conjunctival layers. Most eyelid vessels were mutually anastomosed to form a constant vessel network. Palpebral margin arterial arch and peripheral arterial arch were formed by dorsal nasal artery branches and lacrimal artery branches, both of which nourished the eyelid tissue. All the compound flaps of 30 cases survived completely without any complications. All cases obtained satisfactory results functionally and esthetically. Conclusions The arterial arch of palpebral margin is constant and the blood supply of the compound flap is reliable. It can repair full eyelid defect with the same kind of tissue, and obtain satisfactory appearance. It is an ideal method of repairing the eyelid defect.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA in Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury and roles of Schwann cells and MIF in macrophages activation and nerve regeneration.

METHODSFifty SD rats were divided into 10 groups. One group served as normal control. The rest were anesthetized with 3% sodium pentobarbital (30 - 60 mg/kg, i.p) and sciatic nerves were transected distal to the obturator tendon respectively 1 h, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 10 d, 14 d, 17 d and 21 d before being killed. Sciatic nerves were resected and connective tissues excised. Schwann cells were obtained by digesting the nerve tissues with trypsin and collagenase. RNA was isolated and reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out. cDNA was analyzed by automatic system and the parameters were assessed to define the status of MIF mRNA expression in different groups.

RESULTSThe level of MIF mRNA started to increase 12 h after the nerve transection. The level remained high from day 7 up to 10 after the injury. During the period from days 10 to 21, MIF mRNA decreased slowly to the pre-transection level.

CONCLUSIONAfter peripheral nerve injury, Schwann cells can secrete MIF which may play a pivotal role as an immunomodulatory cytokine in macrophage activation and inflammatory reaction.

Animals ; Female ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; genetics ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Schwann Cells ; metabolism