The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides innervation to the parotid gland, carotid body/sinus, mucosa of the middle ear, tongue and oropharynx and the stylopharyngeus muscle. The vagus nerve provides innervation to the remaining skeletal muscle of the pharynx. CN IX contributes to the pharyngeal plexus and normally provides innervation to the mucosa of the oropharynx. Herein, we describe a previously undescribed variation of CN IX. CN IX was observed to enter the pharyngeal wall but instead of forming terminal branches in the tonsillar fossa, CN IX descended along the posterior wall between the mucosa and pharyngeal constrictors to the esophagus. This unusual branch of CN IX gave rise to numerous branches along the pharynx but did not intermingle with laryngeal branches from the vagus nerve. From this dissection, we developed innervation maps of the pharynx and propose a central miswiring mechanism for this unusual variation.

The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides innervation to the parotid gland, carotid body/sinus, mucosa of the middle ear, tongue and oropharynx and the stylopharyngeus muscle. The vagus nerve provides innervation to the remaining skeletal muscle of the pharynx. CN IX contributes to the pharyngeal plexus and normally provides innervation to the mucosa of the oropharynx. Herein, we describe a previously undescribed variation of CN IX. CN IX was observed to enter the pharyngeal wall but instead of forming terminal branches in the tonsillar fossa, CN IX descended along the posterior wall between the mucosa and pharyngeal constrictors to the esophagus. This unusual branch of CN IX gave rise to numerous branches along the pharynx but did not intermingle with laryngeal branches from the vagus nerve. From this dissection, we developed innervation maps of the pharynx and propose a central miswiring mechanism for this unusual variation.

Variations of the musculature within the upper extremity have been widely documented, with clinical implications ranging from motor dysfunction to compressive neuropathies. Herein, we described an aberrant muscle that originated from the anterior proximal forearm, formed a tendon that coursed through the carpal tunnel, and converged with the flexor digitorum profundus muscle to contribute to the first lumbrical. Additionally, the second lumbrical consisted of two heads, originating from the index and middle finger tendons of flexor digitorum profundus. Documentation and recognition of such anatomic variants is important, as this anatomic pattern may contribute to anterior interosseous or median nerve compression, incoordination, complications during surgery, and other clinical manifestations.

The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery and is the main arterial supply to the lower leg and foot.Variation in the branching of the popliteal artery typically occurs proximal or distal to where the vessel crosses the popliteus muscle. In the case of a routine dissection of a 92-year-old female cadaver, a variation of the popliteal artery was found where the branches are a posterior tibial artery and a common tibiofibular trunk. It is important to recognize the vascular variations that exist in the popliteal fossa to prevent any unforeseen complications during surgeries or procedures to the knee or lower leg.

The abducens nerve (AN; cranial nerve VI) exits the brainstem at the inferior pontine sulcus, pierces the dura of the posterior cranial fossa, passes through the cavernous sinus in close contact to the internal carotid artery (ICA) and traverses the superior orbital fissure to reach the orbit to innervate the lateral rectus muscle. At its exit from the brainstem, the AN includes only axons from lower motor neurons in the abducens nucleus. However, as the AN crosses the ICA it receives a number of branches from the internal carotid sympathetic plexus. The arrangement, neurochemical profile and function of these sympathetic axons running along the AN remain unresolved. Herein, we use gross dissection and microscopic study of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and sections with tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling. Our results suggest the AN receives multiple bundles of unmyelinated axons that use norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter consistent with postganglionic sympathetic axons.

The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery and is the main arterial supply to the lower leg and foot.Variation in the branching of the popliteal artery typically occurs proximal or distal to where the vessel crosses the popliteus muscle. In the case of a routine dissection of a 92-year-old female cadaver, a variation of the popliteal artery was found where the branches are a posterior tibial artery and a common tibiofibular trunk. It is important to recognize the vascular variations that exist in the popliteal fossa to prevent any unforeseen complications during surgeries or procedures to the knee or lower leg.

The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery and is the main arterial supply to the lower leg and foot.Variation in the branching of the popliteal artery typically occurs proximal or distal to where the vessel crosses the popliteus muscle. In the case of a routine dissection of a 92-year-old female cadaver, a variation of the popliteal artery was found where the branches are a posterior tibial artery and a common tibiofibular trunk. It is important to recognize the vascular variations that exist in the popliteal fossa to prevent any unforeseen complications during surgeries or procedures to the knee or lower leg.

The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery and is the main arterial supply to the lower leg and foot.Variation in the branching of the popliteal artery typically occurs proximal or distal to where the vessel crosses the popliteus muscle. In the case of a routine dissection of a 92-year-old female cadaver, a variation of the popliteal artery was found where the branches are a posterior tibial artery and a common tibiofibular trunk. It is important to recognize the vascular variations that exist in the popliteal fossa to prevent any unforeseen complications during surgeries or procedures to the knee or lower leg.

The popliteal artery is a continuation of the femoral artery and is the main arterial supply to the lower leg and foot.Variation in the branching of the popliteal artery typically occurs proximal or distal to where the vessel crosses the popliteus muscle. In the case of a routine dissection of a 92-year-old female cadaver, a variation of the popliteal artery was found where the branches are a posterior tibial artery and a common tibiofibular trunk. It is important to recognize the vascular variations that exist in the popliteal fossa to prevent any unforeseen complications during surgeries or procedures to the knee or lower leg.

Agenesis or congenital hypoplasia of skeletal muscles occurs infrequently but may occur with specific conditions such as Poland syndrome. The trapezius muscle can vary in the extent of its bony attachments or may have additional slips, however congenital absence or hypoplasia is extremely rare. There are only a few reports of partial or complete absence of the trapezius muscle. Two cases of bilateral absence of the trapezius were both in males and were accompanied by the absence of additional muscle in the pectoral girdle. Herein, we describe a case of a 56-year-old male cadaver with bilateral hypoplasia of the trapezius. The muscle was largely represented by atrophied muscle fibers with an abundance of fibrotic or fatty connective tissue. This subject had very minor hypoplasia of the left pectoralis major muscle, but the remaining muscles of the pectoral girdle were normal. The spinal accessory nerve terminated in the sternocleidomastoid muscle on both sides, failing to reach the trapezius. We interpret these findings to be consistent with a minor variant of Poland syndrome.