Rajapur Parashuram

Abstract

Background: Extrahepatic biliary apparatus comprises of gall bladder, cystic duct, hepatic ducts and common bile duct. Gall Bladder is a pear shaped hollow organ, which are situated in contact with the under surface of right lobe of liver. In adult the length is between 7-10 cm, maximum breadth being 3 cm and with a maximum capacity of 50 ml. The morphological and morphometric variations of gall bladder are common. These variations are well studied and documented by the earlier studies but its precise morphological types and its incidence are utmost important during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Hence, comprehensive knowledge of variations of gall bladder will be important to avoid complications during surgical procedures and radiological interventions. Materials and Methods: The study was carried on 50 liver with Gallbladder specimens obtained from 10% formalin fixed cadavers of age group 50-60 years in the department of Anatomy. The gall bladder was observed, dissected carefully and studied for its parameters i.e. length and breadth using Vernier calipers. The variations in shape, its external morphological features and its position were also noted. Results: 52% of the gall bladder specimens had length ranging between 7 – 10cms. 68% of the specimens had transverse diameter ranging between 3 – 5cms. Various shapes observed were Pear shape, Hourglass shape, Retort shape, Cylindrical shape and Flask or Irregular shaped. The commonest shape observed and recorded in this study was Pear shaped in 26 specimens (52%). Folded fundus (Phrygian cap) of gall bladder was found in 2 out of 50 specimens (4%) and Hartmann’s pouch was found in 7 out of 50 specimens (14%). Conclusion: The precise knowledge of the various morphological and morphometric variants of the gall bladder is important for the operating Surgeons and Radiologists. The preoperative diagnosis of these variations helps to reduce the complications like bleeding and biliary leaks.   Keywords: Gall bladder, Shapes, Hartmann’s pouch, Phrygian cap.

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Abstract

Introduction: Spleen is the largest haemo-lymphoid organ located in the left hypochondrium and partly in the epigastrium between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm. The size and weight of the spleen varies with age and gender. In adults it is usually 12 cms in length, 7 cms broad and 3-4 cms in thickness. It weighs around 150gms. On the superior border, near the anterior end, there may be one or two notches, persisting from the lobulated form of the spleen in early foetal life. Spleen acts as a filter for blood, storage of lymphocytes and platelets. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen. It metabolizes the haemoglobin removed from old senescent RBCs. The knowledge of morphometric variations of spleen helps  clinicians, radiologist and surgeons to differentiate it from the various splenic injuries and pathologies. Aims: The aim of the study is to find the morphometric variations of spleen. Materials and Methods: The present study was done on 50 adult human spleens of unknown sex. The morphometric features like shape, presence of notches, length, breadth and thickness were noted. Results: Out of 50 spleens studied, five different shapes of the spleen were observed. 19 spleens were wedge shaped (38%), 12 spleens were triangular shaped (24%), 9 spleens were tetrahedral (18%), 5 spleens were oval shaped (10%), 5 spleens were irregular shaped (10%). 31 spleens (62%) had notches on its superior border, 2 spleens (4%) had notches on its inferior border, 12 spleens (24%) had notches both in their superior and inferior borders, 5 spleens (10%) were found with absence of notch on either of its borders. The presences of splenic fissure on diaphragmatic surface were noted in 2 spleens. The length of the spleen varied between 7cms to 15cms, the breadth of the spleens varied between 4cms to 12cms and the thickness of the spleens varied between 2cms to 6cms. Conclusion: The knowledge of morphometric features of the spleen is of great importance to the clinicians, radiologists and surgeons for their surgical procedure. Keywords: Spleen, Shapes, Notches, Variations.

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