Acupuncture Points ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; Hand Bones ; anatomy & histology ; Humans

INTRODUCTIONThe superficial and deep palmar arterial arches are the main sources of blood supply to all structures in the human hand, and variations in these arterial arches are quite common. Although several studies have reported diameters and variations of these arches, to the authors' knowledge, no study has correlated such changes to handedness in adults. It is likely that dominance may play a role in arterial variations, such as those seen in the diameter or number of arteries formed in the palmar arches, much like in other areas of the human body. This cadaver study was conducted to determine any such association.

METHODS42 formalin-fixed hands were dissected to expose the superficial and deep palmar arches. These arches were then thoroughly examined for any variations between the dominant and non-dominant hands. All cadavers were noted to be right-handed as per hospital records.

RESULTS19 complete superficial arterial arches (right hand 14; left hand 5) were found in the 42 hands dissected.

CONCLUSIONMost complete superficial palmar arches were found in the dominant hand of the cadavers studied, and therefore, handedness may have a role to play in determining palmar arterial arch variations in humans. Due to dominance or handedness, some arteries may likely persist into adulthood while others may become obliterated, thus leading to variations. Dissection of foetal hands may help to shed more light on the persistence or obliteration of various arteries after birth. Knowledge of such variations may prove helpful for surgeons during hand surgeries.

Cadaver ; Functional Laterality ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Hand Deformities ; Humans ; Radial Artery ; anatomy & histology ; Ulnar Artery ; anatomy & histology

The corticospinal tract (CST) is the most important motor pathway in the human brain. Detailed knowledge of CST somatotopy is important in terms of rehabilitative management and invasive procedures for patients with brain injuries. In this study, I conducted a review of nine previous studies of the somatotopical location and arrangement at the brainstem in the human brain. The results of this review indicated that the hand and leg somatotopies of the CST are arranged medio-laterally in the mid to lateral portion of the cerebral peduncle, ventromedial-dorsolaterally in the pontine basis, and medio-laterally in the medullary pyramid. However, few diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have been conducted on this topic, and only nine have been reported: midbrain (2 studies), pons (4 studies), and medulla (1 study). Therefore, further DTI studies should be conducted in order to expand the literature on this topic. In particular, research on midbrain and medulla should be encouraged.
Brain Stem/*anatomy & histology ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Hand/innervation ; Humans ; Leg/innervation ; Medulla Oblongata/anatomy & histology ; Pons/anatomy & histology ; Pyramidal Tracts/*anatomy & histology/physiology ; Tegmentum Mesencephali/anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo build three-dimensional (3-D) visible model for surgical treatment of infection of fascial spaces of hand.

METHODSSerial thin cross-sections (0.2 mm) of hand were made by cryomicrotome, and the thin cross-sections of metacarpal parts were observed. A personal computer was employed to reconstruct 3-D model of metacarpal fascial space.

RESULTSThe shapes, locations and adjacent relations of the mid-palmar space, thenar space and metacarpal bones were displayed clearly from computerized 3-D model, which could be the cross-reference of the cross-sections expediently.

CONCLUSIONThe computerized 3-D reconstruction of metacarpal fascial spaces can provide some guidance for surgical treatment of infection and other diseases of metacarpal fascial spaces.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional

BACKGROUND: The hand anatomy, including the complicated hand muscles, can be grasped by using computer-assisted learning tools with high quality two-dimensional images and three-dimensional models. The purpose of this study was to present up-to-date software tools that promote learning of stereoscopic morphology of the hand. METHODS: On the basis of horizontal sectioned images and outlined images of a male cadaver, vertical planes, volume models, and surface models were elaborated. Software to browse pairs of the sectioned and outlined images in orthogonal planes and software to peel and rotate the volume models, as well as a portable document format (PDF) file to select and rotate the surface models, were produced. RESULTS: All of the software tools were downloadable free of charge and usable off-line. The three types of tools for viewing multiple aspects of the hand could be adequately employed according to individual needs. CONCLUSION: These new tools involving the realistic images of a cadaver and the diverse functions are expected to improve comprehensive knowledge of the hand shape.
Anatomy, Regional ; Cadaver ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Hand Strength ; Hand ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Muscles ; Visible Human Projects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the digit length ratio (DLR) and male fertility in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing an electronic sliding caliper, we measured the lengths of the index finger (D2), middle finger (D3), ring finger (D4) and little finger (D5) of both the right and left hand of 136 infertile males in Ningxia, 45 of them with normal and the other 91 with abnormal semen, including 28 cases of oligozoospermia, 10 cases of obstructive azoospermia (OA) and 53 cases of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). We calculated the DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5 and compared them among different groups.

RESULTSThe mean values of FLR presented a pattern of D2:D3 < D2:D4 < D3:D4 < D2:D5 < D4:D5 in the infertile males. DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand were significantly higher in the abnormal than in the normal semen group (t = 2.56, 2.48, 3.57, 2.85, 2.53; P < 0.05); those of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand presented a pattern of NOA > oligozoospermia > OA > normal semen group, while that of D3:D5 presented a pattern of NOA > OA > oligozoospermia > normal semen group. The NOA group showed a significantly higher DLR of the right hand than the normal semen group in D2:D3, D2:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5, the oligozoospermia group in D2:D4, D3:D5 and D4:D5, and the OA group in D2:D3 (P < 0.05). The D4:D5 DLR of the right hand was remarkably higher in the Han than in the Hui ethnic group (t = 2.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigher DLRs of D2:D3, D2:D4, D2:D5, D3:D5 and D4:D5 of the right hand were associated with lower fertility in infertile males in Ningxia. And the D4:D5 FLRs of the right hand may be different between Hui and Han infertile men in Ningxia.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Fertility ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTION: To correct the facial asymmetry by mandibular jaw surgery, it is important to know the anatomy of the mandible including the mandibular canal positioning of patients with facial asymmetry. This study was performed to evaluate the differences in the cross-sectional surface in the body of the mandible between the deviated side and opposite side in patients with facial asymmetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 37 adult patients composed of 2 groups, the asymmetry group (n=20) and non-asymmetry group (n=17). Using the cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) images, the distance from the buccal aspect of the mandibular canal to the outer aspect of the buccal cortex, distance from the buccal aspect of the mandibular canal to the inner aspect of the buccal cortex, distance from the inferior aspect of the mandibular canal to the inferior border of the mandible, thickness of the mandible, and cross-sectional surface area of the mandible were measured in each side of the mandible. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of the mandible including the mandibular canal positioning in the deviated side was not statistically different from the opposite side in the asymmetry group. Only the distance from the inferior aspect of the mandibular canal to the inferior border of the mandible in the ramus area of the deviated side was significantly longer than opposite side. On the other hand, the bucco-lingual width of the asymmetry group was thinner than the non-asymmetry group. CONCLUSION: The cross-sectional area including the mandibular canal of the mandible did not appear to be modified by the facial asymmetry.
Adult ; Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Facial Asymmetry ; Hand ; Humans ; Mandible ; Mandibular Nerve ; Orthognathic Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To analyze palm ratio of body surface area (BSA) based on the body different surface area formula. METHODS: Forty-four Chinese adult males were selected in this study. The contour of left single palm was recorded and the palm area was calculated by cut-paper weighing method. The body surface was calculated by the height and weight based on 12 formulas of body surface area. Then, the palm ratio of BSA was calculated. RESULTS: The average palm ratio of BSA was (0.789 ± 0.075)%. The data showed statistically significant difference compared with the traditional ratio (1%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The ratio of BSA in Chinese adult male population showed more accuracy compared with the traditional ratio in this present study. The forensic evaluation can be affected by using the different ratio of BSA.
Adult ; Asian People ; Body Height ; Body Surface Area ; Body Weight ; Hand/anatomy & histology* ; Humans ; Male

Due to the difficulties of the copying, vein identification has developed rapidly in recent years. The light source selection directly affects the image quality. This paper acquired by experiment the reflectivities of vein and non-vein irradiation with different wavelengths of near infra-red. Comparing the strength of reflectivities of various wave lengths, we found that there were the strongest contrasts between vein and non-vein in the 810 nm, and 810 nm near infra-red was suitable to a vein imaging light source. Finally, clear hand vein images were obtained with the selected light source.
Algorithms ; Biometry ; methods ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Infrared Rays ; Pattern Recognition, Automated ; Tomography, Optical ; methods ; Veins ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensively analysis the correlation and the law of variation between the height of a person and the length of his/her handprint. METHODS: Collecting handprint samples of those people of different age and sex from different area all of our country, and adopt the regressive analysis method to study these samples. RESULTS: A sum of useful data and regressive equation were obtained. CONCLUSION The correlation between the height of a person and the length of his/her handprint is obviously, the approximate height of a person can be reckoned according to the length of his/her handprints.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Body Height ; Female ; Fingers/anatomy & histology* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Hand/anatomy & histology* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Regression Analysis ; Sex Factors