OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to identify the intermalleolar ligament morphologically and to correlate its shape with MR images.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Seventy-seven ankles were used in this study. After the intermalleolar ligament had been located in the posterior ankle space, its medial and lateral attaching sites were identified, and its length, width, and thickness were measured. MRI was performed on 26 ankles before they were dissected (20 specimens) or serially sectioned (six specimens). The serial sections were taken at a thickness of 2 mm in the sagittal and horizontal directions.RESULTS. The intermalleolar ligament was observed in 81.8% of the specimens and was composed of more than two bundles of fibers in all cases. The medial arising sites of the ligament were diverse (e.g., from the medial malleolus to the floor of the fibrous tunnel of the flexor hallucis longus). The ligament narrowed laterally and attached with the posterior talofibular ligament to the medial fossa of the lateral...

Hyung-Sun Won, Miyoung Yang, and Yeon-Dong Kim. Anesth Pain Med 2020;15:8-18. https://doi.org/10.17085/apm.2020.15.1.8

Cheol-Hyeong Lee, Ho-Yeon Jang, Hyung-Sun Won, Ja-Sook Kim, and Yeon-Dong Kim. Korean J Pain 2021;34:332-8. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2021.34.3.332

Palatogenesis is a complex and intricate process involving the formation of the palate through various morphogenetic events highly dependent on the surrounding context. These events comprise outgrowth of palatal shelves from embryonic maxillary prominences, their elevation from a vertical to a horizontal position above the tongue, and their subsequent adhesion and fusion at the midline to separate oral and nasal cavities. Disruptions in any of these processes can result in cleft palate, a common congenital abnormality that significantly affects patient’s quality of life, despite surgical intervention. Although many genes involved in palatogenesis have been identified through studies on genetically modified mice and human genetics, the precise roles of these genes and their products in signaling networks that regulate palatogenesis remain elusive. Recent investigations have revealed that palatal shelf growth, patterning, adhesion, and fusion are intricately regulated by numerous transcription factors and signaling pathways, including Sonic hedgehog (Shh), bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp), fibroblast growth factor (Fgf), transforming growth factor beta (Tgf-β), Wnt signaling, and others. These studies have also identified a significant number of genes that are essential for palate development. Integrated information from these studies offers novel insights into gene regulatory networks and dynamic cellular processes underlying palatal shelf elevation, contact, and fusion, deepening our understanding of palatogenesis, and facilitating the development of more efficacious treatments for cleft palate.

Shin-Hyo Lee, Miyoung Yang, Hyung-Sun Won, and Yeon-Dong Kim. Korean J Pain 2023;36:272-80. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.23175