Introduction The brachiocephalic artery (BCA) is the largest branch that arises from the aortic arch, which varies in length. The present study focuses on BCA length and its probable correlation with height and torso length. Methods The BCA length (from the artery's origin to the arcus aortae), the length of the torso, and height were measured in 76 embalmed adult human cadavers of Caucasian (Hellenic) origin. Results A total of 74 arteries were measured (36 females and 38 males). The mean length was found to be 3.82 cm (SD=+/- 0.947, SE=0.110). In male cadavers, the mean BCA length was 3.94 cm (SD=+/- 0.980, SE=0.159) and in females, it was found to be 3.69 cm (SD=+/- 0.905, SE=0.151). No statistically significant difference was found (p=0.248, p>0.05) The mean torso length was 62.27 cm (SD=+/- 4.325, SE=0.496) and the mean height was 155.3 cm (SD=+/- 10.124, SE=1.161). The BCA length was correlated with body height and torso length in both sexes. A statistically significant correlation was found only between BCA length and body height in male cadavers (r=0.267, p=0.021). Conclusion The morphometric characteristics of the BCA are of great importance in a number of surgical procedures, such as stenting and catheterization in cases of aneurysms. One statistically significant correlation was observed in our study, which could be considered an important finding, as it could lead to the plausible assumption that greater height leads to the formation of larger arteries.

Background/Objectives: The suprascapular nerve is most vulnerable to entrapment at the suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches, causing neuropathy. Numerous studies have examined the suprascapular notch and ligament and its relationship with suprascapular nerve entrapment, but few have examined the spinoglenoid notch and the inferior transverse scapular ligament (ITSL). This study summarizes all existing ITSL morphology studies and presents a simple and comprehensive classification system for different ITSL subtypes. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, searching the online databases PubMed and Embase. The references of each relevant article were further screened to find more eligible studies. The Anatomical Quality Assessment tool was used in order to further evaluate the quality of the records extracted. STATA MP 14 was used for the analysis in this study. Results: In total, 14 studies (995 scapulae; minimum: 1 and maximum: 268) were included in the present study. The overall ITSL prevalence was 5.8 (95% CI: 4.5–7.1) and the estimated odds for ligamentous vs. membranous type was 0.5 (95% CI: 0.3–0.7). The basic different morphological subtypes of the ITSL reported in the included studies are the band-like ligament, the fan-shaped ligament, the membranous ITSL, and the perforated membranous types. Conclusions: The ITSL represents an anatomical structure of mostly ligamentous nature. A single ITSL definition and standardization of its basic morphological subtypes along with an easy-to-remember and thus widely used classification system could greatly facilitate the comprehensive description, identification, and proper handling of this element across many surgical procedures.

Guyon's canal was first described in 1861 as a narrow fibro-osseous tunnel at the wrist. While ulnar tunnel syndrome is a well-recognized compression neuropathy, detailed anatomical data regarding the structure of the Guyon's canal remain unclearly described. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of normal Guyon's canal anatomy and variations associated with ulnar nerve entrapment. A systematic search of literature using PubMed, Embase, and CINAHLNAHL databases according to the PRISMA guidelines was performed. Only original anatomical articles and case reports in English or German language were included. For the quality assessment of the anatomical studies the Anatomical Quality Assessment (AQUA) tool was used. Of the 1,051 articles identified and only 14 (5 original studies and 9 case reports; 198 hands total) were included in the review. Guyon's canal roof is its most complex boundary as it comprises the palmar carpal ligament, palmaris brevis, and hypothenar fascia; the floor is the flexor retinaculum, and the pisiform is the medial boundary. Anatomical studies typically exclude the hook of hamate as a true wall. Anatomical variations that can cause ulnar nerve compression at this site include aberrant muscles (more often an accessory abductor digiti minimi [ADM], and rarely aberrant flexor carpi ulnaris [FCU] or palmaris longus) or neurovascular anomalies like ulnar artery vascular leashes, or atypical nerve branching. Guyon's canal is more of a complex neurovascular space than a fixed fibro-osseus tunnel. More cadaveric studies including a histological examination of the sample are needed to further refine the understanding of the complex architecture of Guyon's canal.