Variant anatomy, which is an integral part of anatomical science, is related to abnormalities in the human body structure. Our understanding of variant anatomy is based on thousand years of anatomical experience. These abnormalities generally do not interfere with the function of the human body and do not typically manifest as pathological nosological units. However, under certain conditions, these abnormalities can worsen existing pathological states or even evoke new ones. Understanding variant anatomy is a basic skill not only of mere anatomists, but also of clinicians who work in fields involving both diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions. To gain and retain a good knowledge of the most frequent and clinically relevant anatomical variations, a simple, clear, and exactly defined nomenclature of variant structures is needed. A list of items comprising variant anatomy, which have been incorporated into the internationally accepted nomenclatures Terminologia Anatomica (1998) and Terminologia Neuroanatomica (2017), is described and analyzed. Examples of the most common anatomical variations related to terminology are mentioned, and variant anatomy as a whole and its role in understanding current anatomy are discussed.

In recent years, the interstitial cells telocytes, formerly known as interstitial Cajal-like cells, have been described in almost all organs of the human body. Although telocytes were previously thought to be localized predominantly in the organs of the digestive system, as of 2018 they have also been described in the lymphoid tissue, skin, respiratory system, urinary system, meninges and the organs of the male and female genital tracts. Since the time of eminent German pathologist Rudolf Virchow, we have known that many pathological processes originate directly from cellular changes. Even though telocytes are not widely accepted by all scientists as an individual and morphologically and functionally distinct cell population, several articles regarding telocytes have already been published in such prestigious journals as Nature and Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. The telocyte diversity extends beyond their morphology and functions, as they have a potential role in the etiopathogenesis of different diseases. The most commonly described telocyte-associated diseases (which may be best termed “telocytopathies” in the future) are summarized in this critical review. It is difficult to imagine that a single cell population could be involved in the pathogenesis of such a wide spectrum of pathological conditions as extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (“telocytomas”), liver fibrosis, preeclampsia during pregnancy, tubal infertility, heart failure and psoriasis. In any case, future functional studies of telocytes in vivo will help to understand the mechanism by which telocytes contribute to tissue homeostasis in health and disease.

The phlebology in the area of lower limbs is the only medical field in which the terminological needs of clinicians were met. Ten years ago, the latest revision of the Latin anatomical nomenclature, Terminologia Anatomica (TA), was issued. But almost none of the chapters reflected the clinicians' need to be a relevant theoretical base for correct diagnostics and appropriate treatment. In 2001, during the 14th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology, a consensus document (under the auspices of Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology and International Federation of Associations of Anatomists) was laid to expand the nomenclature of the lower extremity venous system. Some terms have been changed and several new have been added, corresponding to their clinical significance and anatomical positions. Sixteen new terms have been added in both Latin and English languages in the chapter concerning the superficial veins of the lower limb. This consensus document will be incorporated into the next version of the TA. The international anatomical nomenclature serves as a communication base for research, diagnostic, therapy and information exchange in phlebological sciences.

The clinical venous anatomy of the pelvis and its veins featured a break-through during the past few years. Not only the diagnostic and therapeutical methods but also the knowledge of the functional anatomy and nomenclatures of the veins underwent substantial changes. Eleven years ago, the most recent revision of the Latin anatomical nomenclature, Terminologia Anatomica (TA, 1998) was issued. In 2004, during the 21st World Congress of the International Union of Angiology, a consensus document (under the auspices of Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology and International Federation of Associations of Anatomists), reflecting phlebologists' requests for new terms and replacing several insufficient ones, was accepted. Six new terms were added in both Latin and English languages in the chapter concerning the veins of the pelvis. Eponyms are not considered equal synonyms and moreover only one of them was recommended for general use. Detailed anatomy of the veins of the pelvis is discussed. This consensus document will be incorporated in the next version of the Teminologia Anatomica.

The aim of the study was to describe and depict the spatial arrangement of the colon microcirculatory bed as a whole. Various parts of the large intestine and terminal ileum were harvested from either cadaver or section material or gained peroperatively. Samples were then injected with India ink or methylmetacrylate Mercox resin for microdissection and corrosion casting for scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that extramural vasa recta ramified to form the subserous plexus, some of them passing underneath the colon taeniae. Branches of both short and long vasa recta merged in the colon wall, pierced the muscular layer and spread out as the submucous plexus, which extended throughout the whole intestine without any interruption. The muscular layer received blood via both the centrifugal branches of the submucous plexus and the minor branches sent off by the subserous plexus. The mucosa was supplied by the mucous plexus, which sent capillaries into the walls of intestinal glands. The hexagonal arrangement of the intestinal glands reflected their vascular bed. All three presumptive critical points are only gross anatomical points of no physiological relevance in healthy individuals. Neither microscopic weak points nor regional differences were proven within the wall of the whole large intestine. The corrosion casts showed a huge density of capillaries under the mucosa of the large intestine. A regular hexagonal pattern of the vascular bed on the inner surface was revealed. No microvascular critical point proofs were confirmed and a correlation model to various pathological states was created.