INTRODUCTIONNourishment for the brain, a highly vascular organ, is derived from a unique structure called the 'circle of Willis', which is formed by the terminal branches of the internal carotid arteries (ICAs) and basilar arteries (BAs). The circle of Willis forms an anastomotic link between the carotid and vertebrobasilar systems in the arterial supply of the brain, while the BA forms an important component of the brain's posterior circulation and supplies its many vital parts.

METHODSA study was performed on 20 brain specimens used for routine dissections at the Anatomy Department, Kasturba Medical College, in order to examine the morphology of BAs in the brain.

RESULTSIn most specimens, the position of the termination of BA was normal, although variations were present in the mode of termination. In one specimen, the BA terminated by dividing into two superior cerebellar arteries. The posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) arose from ICAs on both sides in this specimen, and a communicating branch was present between the terminal point of the BA and PCA on the left. In another specimen, unilateral variation was seen, with the PCA arising from the ICA on the right and a posterior communicating artery arising from the PCA, connecting it with the BA. The anatomy on the left side was normal.

CONCLUSIONWe highlight the morphological aspects of the BA, the knowledge of which would help neurosurgeons safely diagnose, as well as plan and execute vascular bypass and shunting procedures for the treatment of stenosis, aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in the posterior cranial fossa.

Basilar Artery ; abnormalities ; anatomy & histology ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; Cadaver ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; anatomy & histology ; Circle of Willis ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Posterior Cerebral Artery ; anatomy & histology

Human cerebellum plays a vital role in motor coordination, regulation of muscle tone and maintaining the equilibrium of the body. It seldom shows anatomical/morphological variations. Herein, we report the presence of a small additional lobe projecting out on the superior surface of the right cerebellar hemisphere in the para-vermal area in an adult male cadaver. There was a notch on the tentorial surface of the occipital lobe of the right cerebral hemisphere, corresponding to the additional lobe of cerebellum. The additional lobe was histologically normal, with no evidence of any tumour cells. Knowledge of this variation is of importance to radiologists, neuroanatomists and neurosurgeons.

Here we present a unique case of variation in the branching pattern of the coeliac trunk. In the present case, the coeliac trunk was replaced by two separate arterial trunks. The first arterial trunk bifurcated into the left gastric and the left hepatic arteries. The second arterial trunk bifurcated into a splenic artery and a hepato-gastroduodenal trunk. The hepato-gastroduodenal trunk presented an unusual course and termination. The right hepatic artery arising from the hepato-gastroduodenal trunk also showed a variant course. Such rare variations are important for gastroenterological surgeons and interventional radiologists due to increase in number of transplantation surgeries and live donor liver transplantations.
Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Portal Vein ; Splenic Artery ; Tissue Donors

The superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) drains the venous blood from most of the superolateral surface of the brain and drains typically into the cavernous sinus as mentioned in standard textbooks. But the drainage of the SMCV is variable as indicated by various radiological studies. Although variations in the drainage of the SMCV exist, there is a shortage in the literature providing cadaveric evidence for the same. The present study was designed to identify the variations in the drainage pattern of the SMCV in fetal cadavers. During the dissection of formalin-fixed full-term fetuses, deviation in the drainage of the SMCV was observed in five out of 30 cases. In three out of 30 specimens (10%), SMCV was observed draining into superior petrosal sinus; and in two specimens (6.6%) into the transverse sinus. In the remaining specimens, the SMCV drained directly into the cavernous sinus. Knowledge of the variations noted in the present study is essential, not only for diagnosing several diseases involving the cavernous sinus or paracavernous sinuses but also in surgeries of paracavernous sinus lesions and endovascular treatment of arteriovenous fistulas. The SMCV and superior petrosal sinus can be a venous refluxing route in patients with arteriovenous fistulas.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Brain ; Cadaver ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cerebral Veins ; Drainage ; Fetus ; Humans