1.A review of the ethmoidal foramina and their clinical application
Athena COHEN ; Chung Yoh KIM ; Kazzara RAEBURN ; Kathleen BUBB ; Yoko TABIRA ; Joe IWANAGA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(1):1-7
The ethmoidal foramina (EF), located on the medial orbital wall along the frontoethmoidal sutures, are critical anatomical landmarks for surgeries involving the medial orbital wall. This review aimed to review the surgical anatomy of the EF, including their embryology and radiology. Although the frontoethmoidal sutures mostly have two foramina passing through them, there are reports of single foramen or multiple, up to six foramina. These foramina provide a passage for the ethmoidal arteries and nerves, branches of ophthalmic arteries and nerves. The surgical guideline “24-12-6” is based on the approximate distance between the anterior lacrimal crest, the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, and the optic canal, commonly used to navigate this area. However, some studies from various populations defined different ratios.Embryologically, the EF were formed by the union of intramembranous ossified frontal bones and endochondral ossified ethmoid bones. EF and neurovascular structures can be identified in computed tomography even in the 3 mm sectional intervals. A comprehensive anatomical understanding of EF will help clinicians improve surgical guidelines and ultimately reduce the risk of complications.
2.A review of the ethmoidal foramina and their clinical application
Athena COHEN ; Chung Yoh KIM ; Kazzara RAEBURN ; Kathleen BUBB ; Yoko TABIRA ; Joe IWANAGA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(1):1-7
The ethmoidal foramina (EF), located on the medial orbital wall along the frontoethmoidal sutures, are critical anatomical landmarks for surgeries involving the medial orbital wall. This review aimed to review the surgical anatomy of the EF, including their embryology and radiology. Although the frontoethmoidal sutures mostly have two foramina passing through them, there are reports of single foramen or multiple, up to six foramina. These foramina provide a passage for the ethmoidal arteries and nerves, branches of ophthalmic arteries and nerves. The surgical guideline “24-12-6” is based on the approximate distance between the anterior lacrimal crest, the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, and the optic canal, commonly used to navigate this area. However, some studies from various populations defined different ratios.Embryologically, the EF were formed by the union of intramembranous ossified frontal bones and endochondral ossified ethmoid bones. EF and neurovascular structures can be identified in computed tomography even in the 3 mm sectional intervals. A comprehensive anatomical understanding of EF will help clinicians improve surgical guidelines and ultimately reduce the risk of complications.
3.A review of the ethmoidal foramina and their clinical application
Athena COHEN ; Chung Yoh KIM ; Kazzara RAEBURN ; Kathleen BUBB ; Yoko TABIRA ; Joe IWANAGA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(1):1-7
The ethmoidal foramina (EF), located on the medial orbital wall along the frontoethmoidal sutures, are critical anatomical landmarks for surgeries involving the medial orbital wall. This review aimed to review the surgical anatomy of the EF, including their embryology and radiology. Although the frontoethmoidal sutures mostly have two foramina passing through them, there are reports of single foramen or multiple, up to six foramina. These foramina provide a passage for the ethmoidal arteries and nerves, branches of ophthalmic arteries and nerves. The surgical guideline “24-12-6” is based on the approximate distance between the anterior lacrimal crest, the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, and the optic canal, commonly used to navigate this area. However, some studies from various populations defined different ratios.Embryologically, the EF were formed by the union of intramembranous ossified frontal bones and endochondral ossified ethmoid bones. EF and neurovascular structures can be identified in computed tomography even in the 3 mm sectional intervals. A comprehensive anatomical understanding of EF will help clinicians improve surgical guidelines and ultimately reduce the risk of complications.
4.A review of the ethmoidal foramina and their clinical application
Athena COHEN ; Chung Yoh KIM ; Kazzara RAEBURN ; Kathleen BUBB ; Yoko TABIRA ; Joe IWANAGA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(1):1-7
The ethmoidal foramina (EF), located on the medial orbital wall along the frontoethmoidal sutures, are critical anatomical landmarks for surgeries involving the medial orbital wall. This review aimed to review the surgical anatomy of the EF, including their embryology and radiology. Although the frontoethmoidal sutures mostly have two foramina passing through them, there are reports of single foramen or multiple, up to six foramina. These foramina provide a passage for the ethmoidal arteries and nerves, branches of ophthalmic arteries and nerves. The surgical guideline “24-12-6” is based on the approximate distance between the anterior lacrimal crest, the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, and the optic canal, commonly used to navigate this area. However, some studies from various populations defined different ratios.Embryologically, the EF were formed by the union of intramembranous ossified frontal bones and endochondral ossified ethmoid bones. EF and neurovascular structures can be identified in computed tomography even in the 3 mm sectional intervals. A comprehensive anatomical understanding of EF will help clinicians improve surgical guidelines and ultimately reduce the risk of complications.
5.A review of the ethmoidal foramina and their clinical application
Athena COHEN ; Chung Yoh KIM ; Kazzara RAEBURN ; Kathleen BUBB ; Yoko TABIRA ; Joe IWANAGA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(1):1-7
The ethmoidal foramina (EF), located on the medial orbital wall along the frontoethmoidal sutures, are critical anatomical landmarks for surgeries involving the medial orbital wall. This review aimed to review the surgical anatomy of the EF, including their embryology and radiology. Although the frontoethmoidal sutures mostly have two foramina passing through them, there are reports of single foramen or multiple, up to six foramina. These foramina provide a passage for the ethmoidal arteries and nerves, branches of ophthalmic arteries and nerves. The surgical guideline “24-12-6” is based on the approximate distance between the anterior lacrimal crest, the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries, and the optic canal, commonly used to navigate this area. However, some studies from various populations defined different ratios.Embryologically, the EF were formed by the union of intramembranous ossified frontal bones and endochondral ossified ethmoid bones. EF and neurovascular structures can be identified in computed tomography even in the 3 mm sectional intervals. A comprehensive anatomical understanding of EF will help clinicians improve surgical guidelines and ultimately reduce the risk of complications.
6.The problem with “borrowed” anatomy faculty:why medical anatomy isn’t enough for dental education
Joe IWANAGA ; Norio KITAGAWA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(4):501-503
As dental schools increasingly share anatomy curricula with medical programs, a growing mismatch is emerging between what dental students need and receive. While head and neck anatomy is essential for all health professionals, dental students require significantly more detailed, region-specific anatomical knowledge, especially regarding the oral cavity, neurovascular structures, and surgical landmarks. Yet, this level of instruction is often delivered by medical school faculty unfamiliar with the unique clinical demands of dentistry. This commentary highlights the limitations of the “borrowed” faculty model and argues for dedicated, dental-aware anatomy educators actively engaged in anatomical research to ensure competent, confident clinical performance by future dentists.
7.Revisiting the iliocapsularis: anatomy, variants, and its role in hip pathologies
Milee PATEL ; Erin L. BROWN ; Jeremy K. LALLA ; Massimo S. D’ANTONI ; Lauren M. DUMONT ; Rarinthorn SAMRID ; Joe IWANAGA ; R. Shane TUBBS
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(4):496-500
The iliocapsularis muscle (ICM), a small and often overlooked muscle of the anterior hip, has recently gained attention for its potential clinical and surgical relevance. Despite being anatomically distinct and commonly present, the ICM remains underappreciated among clinicians and anatomists. This narrative review aims to synthesize recent anatomical and clinical literature on the ICM, focusing on its origin, insertion, innervation, vascular supply, anatomical variations, histological features, and functional significance. The ICM originates from the anteromedial hip capsule and the anterior inferior iliac spine, typically inserting distal to the lesser trochanter. Its proposed function includes tightening the anterior hip capsule and stabilizing the femoral head. Electromyographic studies suggest that the ICM plays an active role during hip flexion and dynamic gait phases. Anatomical variations, including variant origins and insertions, have been documented, along with unique innervation and fascial compartmentalization. Clinically, the ICM serves as a useful landmark in total hip arthroplasty and periacetabular osteotomies. Its hypertrophy or atrophy has been linked to hip pathologies such as acetabular dysplasia and femoroacetabular impingement. Imaging modalities, including ultrasound and elastography, have further supported its diagnostic utility. This review emphasizes the need for greater recognition of the ICM’s structure and function, underscoring its relevance in orthopedic procedures and hip pathology diagnostics.
8.Factors associated with osteophytosis on the sella turcica: related morphological and morphometrical aspects
David EZRA ; R. Shane TUBBS ; Joe IWANAGA ; Deborah ALPEROVITCH-NAJENSON ; Arthur YOSEF ; Israel HERSHKOVITZ ; James CRAY
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2025;58(4):581-588
The sella turcica, part of the sphenoid bone located at the base of the skull, is associated with multiple important neurovascular structures. Hence, a detailed knowledge of its variations is critical to clinicians who interpret imaging or surgeons who operate in this region. Our aim was to better understand the pathology of osteophytosis, often found related to the sella turcica. The study sample (n=1,083, human skulls) was obtained from the skeleton collection housed in the Natural History Museum, Cleveland, OH, USA. All skulls were assessed for osteophytes in the sella turcica region (defined as an overgrowth of 1 mm or more). Morphometrical measurements included skull length, width, and thickness, correlated to seller osteophytes. Cranial shape was related to the presence of osteophytes. Greater prevalence was seen in the brachycephalic skulls, with a significantly higher ratio of presence in older people (79.6%) compared to a younger population (26.4%);greater prevalence was also observed in female skulls with a composite thickness of the frontal, parietal and occipital bones.A multifactorial analysis using a logistic regression model defined a statistically significant model, by explaining 37.0% of the variance in osteophyte presence and correctly classifying 77.2% of the cases. Female skulls were 1.76 times more likely to display osteophytes of the sella turcica. Increasing age and increased skull thickness were associated with an enhanced likelihood of exhibiting osteophytes involving the sella turcica, thereby, the shape of the skull, age, and sex partially explain the variations observed for the presence of sella turcica osteophytes.
10.The pterygomandibular raphe: a comprehensive review
Rithvik VUTUKURI ; Norio KITAGAWA ; Keiko FUKINO ; R. Shane TUBBS ; Joe IWANAGA
Anatomy & Cell Biology 2024;57(1):7-12
The pterygomandibular raphe (PMR) is a tendinous structure connecting the bucinator and the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscles. With its implications in the spread of oral cancer, the proper treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, and dental procedures, it is important to obtain a thorough understanding of the PMR. We reviewed the existing literature to compile the published information regarding its anatomy, embryology, imaging, variations, functions, pathologies, and clinical relevance of the pterygomandibular raphe.

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