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Biomedical subjects

B Arensburg

Publications and source records attributed to B Arensburg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Microsurgical anatomy of the facial nerve trunk.

Dissection and manipulation of the facial nerve (FN) trunk between its exit from the cranial base through the stylomastoid foramen (SMF) and its bifurcation is a critical step in various otologic, plastic and neurosurgical procedures. This study demonstrates the anatomical relationships and variability of the FN trunk with emphasis on some important morphometric data, particularly with relevance to hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (HFA). Bilateral microsurgical dissection was performed on twenty-three human cadavers fixed with formalin. The whole trunk of the FN was exposed, its diameter at the SMF and its length were measured, its branches were observed and the site of its bifurcation was determined. Anastomotic connections with other nerves and blood supply of the trunk were studied. The FN invariably emerged from the cranial base through the SMF. Its diameter upon its emergence from the foramen was 2.66 +/- 0.55 mm. Two branches consistently originated from the trunk: the posterior auricular nerve and the nerve to the digastric muscle. Less consistent were the communicating branch with the glossopharyngeal nerve and the nerve to the stylohyoid muscle. The bifurcation of the FN occurred before its penetration into the parotid gland in 15% of cases and within the gland in 85%. The length of the FN trunk was 16.44 +/- 3.2 mm. Anastomoses between the FN and other nerves were observed in one-third of the dissections. The blood supply to the FN trunk was provided by the stylomastoid artery that was identified in 91% of cases. Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the FN trunk is essential for performing any surgical procedure in the relevant region. Surgical implications of this study are presented with emphasis on HFA surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Brief communication: An early case of hydrocephalus: the Middle Paleolithic Qafzeh 12 child (Israel).

Remains of 15 hominids were recovered within a Mousterian archaeological context in the cave of Qafzeh, Israel. Dated to ca. 95 kyr BP, this skeletal material has been crucial for understanding biological, chronological, and cultural aspects of anatomically modern ancient Homo sapiens. The high proportion of children (N = 8) in Qafzeh Cave is unique among Middle Palaeolithic sites and encourages the search for skeletal evidence of disease and trauma. We report on the case of one child, Qafzeh 12, ca. 3 years old (according to modern human reference standards), who manifests some outstanding skeletal abnormalities that indicate hydrocephalus.

Anthropology, Physical↗
PubMed2000

Brief communication: bilateral aplasia of the condyles in a 1,400-year-old mandible from Israel.

A rare pathological mandible, manifesting bilateral absence of the condyles, is discussed. The pathology was identified as hemifacial microsomia. The mandible, dated to the Byzantine period in Israel, manifests bilateral aplasia of the condyles and extreme shortness, but normal width, of the body. The extremely well-developed coronoid process, the grooved masseter insertion area, and the manifestation of a medial pterygoid tubercle (MPT) suggest hypertrophy of the occlusal muscles. The presence of a large MPT is considered a Neanderthal autapomorphy. Studying the biomechanic forces acting on the deformed mandible in hemifacial microsomia patients may shed light on the mastication process in Neanderthals.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Age assessment of Natufian remains from the land of Israel.

The Natufian population of Israel was first described by Garrod in 1932, and since then hundreds of skeletons have been discovered in archaeological excavations. Their culture is amply discussed in the literature as designating the transitional stage between extractive and productive subsistence economics in the period ca. 13,000-10,000 years BP. The Natufians represent a local population with strong biologic ties to the more ancient Upper Paleolithic inhabitants of the area. The scope of the present study is to review, on the basis of new skeletal material and new age-assessing methods, the age and sex tables attributed to this group, which usually indicate a mean age of death around 32 years.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗
PubMed2000

Anatomic and radiologic course of the mandibular incisive canal.

The purpose of this article was to define the anatomic and radiographic courses of the incisive mandibular canal and discuss its clinical significance. The study group comprised of 46 hemimandibles fixed in formalin. After radiographic examination, the buccal cortical plate of the mandible was removed leaving the bony frame of the incisive bundle intact. The morphology of the bony walls of the canal was evaluated, as having complete, partial, or no cortical walls. The course of the intraosseous pathway of the canal and its diameter in four different locations were recorded. An incisive bundle was anatomically found in all hemimandibles, travelling within a canal with complete (n = 10), partial (n = 27), or no (n = 9) bony cortical borders. The diameter of the canal ranged from 0.48 mm to 2.9 mm. Radiographically, the canal was either well defined (n = 11, 24%), poorly defined (n = 15, 32%), or undetectable (n = 20, 44%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the anatomic structure of the incisive canal bony borders and its radiographic detectability (p = 0.043). No correlation was found between the anatomic and radiological width of the incisive canal diameter. An incisive canal with a large diameter could have an important role in successful osteointegration and prevention of postoperative sensory disturbances. According to the present study, the ability to interpret the incisive canal from conventional radiographs is limited. Therefore, it is recommended to use conventional tomographs or computerised tomographic dental scans for better imaging of the intermental foraminal area.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Anterior loop of the mental canal: an anatomical-radiologic study.

This study sought to characterize the anatomical dimensions of the anterior mental loop and to determine the accuracy of conventional radiographs in identifying its presence and dimensions. The study group consisted of 46 hemimandibles fixed in formalin. Radiographs of the area between the mental foramen and the midline were obtained and evaluated for each hemimandible, followed by dissection and physical examination of the same area. Anatomically, an anterior loop of the mental nerve was observed in only 13 hemimandibles (28%). The anterior extension of the loop ranged from 0.4 to 2.19 mm. No correlation was found between the radiographic image and the anatomical shape of the loop. Of the radiographically diagnosed loops, 40% were not seen in anatomical examination. In cases with a false radiologic loop, a correlation was found between the diameter of the origin of the incisive canal and the radiologic interpretation of the loop. The radiologic appearance or diagnosis of the anterior mental loop in cadaver mandibles does not disclose the true ramification of the inferior alveolar nerve to the mental and incisive nerve.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1998

The topographic relationships of the unpaired visceral branches of the aorta.

We examined the metric relationship among the origins of the unpaired visceral branches of the aorta, their relationship to the total descending aorta (TDA), and the relationship between the TDA and stature to see whether a graft for the TDA, e.g., from the left subclavian artery to the aortic bifurcation, which includes its visceral branches, could be pre-constructed. These proportions were compared between the genders and between adults and children to see whether any differences exist. Thirty-four adult aortae and eight juvenile aortae were examined. These segments-TDA, aortic bifurcation to celiac artery, aortic bifurcation to superior mesenteric artery, and aortic bifurcation to inferior mesenteric artery, were defined as the distances between the origins of the left subclavian, celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries, respectively, to the aortic bifurcation. Stature was known only in 15 adult cadavers. The absolute lengths of the segments were correlated to each other and the ratios of these absolute lengths (proportional lengths) were calculated. The statistical significance was examined by Student's T-test and variability by the F test. The TDA correlated well with aortic bifurcation to celiac artery and aortic bifurcation to superior mesenteric artery, whereas a weaker correlation existed with aortic bifurcation to inferior mesenteric artery. The ratio aortic bifurcation to celiac artery and aortic bifurcation to superior mesenteric artery to TDA was less variable than the ratio aortic bifurcation to inferior mesenteric artery to TDA. The abdominal aorta measured approximately a one-third of TDA. No differences in correlation nor in ratio were found between genders and between adults and children. No correlation between stature and TDA was found. The two upper unpaired visceral branches originate from the aorta in a prefixed site, which correlates closely with the length of the descending aorta, whereas the lower one has a more variable point of origin. This is true for all ages and for both genders. Aortic length does not correlate with stature. It is not possible thus to predict the length of the descending aorta by stature. However, a model of the descending aorta can be constructed, but with less accuracy, for the inferior mesenteric artery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Anatomic variant of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.

Forty-six hands of 23 cadavers (15 female and 8 male) were dissected to observe the patterns of distribution of the median nerve. The findings showed that in 33 hands the median nerve had a normal distribution of its branches. Also identified was the commonly recognized transligamentous variant, where the recurrent branch pierces the carpal ligament 2 to 4 mm proximal to the distal end of the carpal tunel. This latter variant occurred in 13 hands. The current study focused on the presence of an additional variant, not previously identified, that occurred in 10 hands. This branch, considered sensory, was approximately 1 mm wide and pierced the lateral carpal ligament 3 to 6 mm distal to the proximal edge of the tunnel. The importance of recognition of variants of median nerve distribution in surgery of the carpal tunnel is emphasized.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1997

Forensic medicine in Israel.

We discuss the Israeli medicolegal system, which is rooted in remnants of British jurisprudence. Forensic services for the entire country and the occupied territories (Judea and Samaria), and now the Palestinian Autonomy (Gaza Strip and Jericho), are supplied by one central institute located in Tel Aviv. That organization, the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine, is a department of the Ministry of Health and has academic affiliation with the University of Tel Aviv. About 2,000 necroscopic examinations are performed annually, and the types of cases encountered in the forensic practices in Israel are noted. The academic and research activities of the Institute's staff are described, with emphasis on collaboration with overseas forensic scientists. The modern history of the country is reflected in the chronicle of the evolution of its forensic medicine.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1997

Myocarditis misdiagnosed as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

In a retrospective study spanning five years, the histologic sections of 35 autopsies of infants diagnosed as SIDS victims were reviewed. Based on a recently reported study in which findings on marked basement membrane thickening (BMT) in the true vocal cords was suggested as a pathognomonic marker of SIDS, we expected to find BMT in all these cases. However, in seven of the reviewed autopsies (20%) no BMT was detected. Examination of new histologic sections of all the victims revealed myocarditis in these seven cases. In a control group (n = 18) of children with known cause of death, neither BMT nor myocarditis were found. The incidence of myocardial diseases in infants and young adults (20% and 22% respectively) reported in the literature indicates that myocarditis is not a rare cause of sudden death in infants. Therefore, in SIDS-suspected cases a meticulous post-mortem microscopic examination of the heart should be carried out, especially whenever BMT of the vocal cords is absent.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1996

Size and location of the human temporomandibular joint.

The literature abounds with conflicting data on various morphometric aspects of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of sex, ethnic group, and edentulism on TMJ osseous morphology and to define possible factors which might influence variation in this structure. TMJs and related craniofacial structures were measured directly on 229 dry skulls and matching mandibles. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis were performed. Our results indicate that 1) the anteroposterior-related TMJ dimensions are independent of sex, ethnic group, and edentulism; 2) the transverse TMJ dimension is related to cranial breadth measures; and 3) the projected distance, along a midsagittal plane, between the TMJ and foramen magnum is independent of sex, ethnicity, and edentulism. It is our assertion that the TMJ must not be considered as a single morphological structure but rather viewed as a functional unit with component parts which are subordinate to completely different sets of influences.

Africa↗
PubMed1996

Factors affecting the rate and pattern of the first costal cartilage ossification.

In the present study, the extent of costochondral ossification of the first rib was determined from 78 chest roentgenograms of 13 healthy male soldiers subjected to a periodic follow-up. Roentgenography was performed at a mean interval of 2.9 years over a 15-year period. Mean subject age was 24 years at the commencement of the study and 37 years at its termination. Our results show that ossification of the first costal cartilage may start early in adult life and progress at individual rates. The ossification process proceeded from the costal toward the sternal end of the cartilage in an anteromedial direction. The morphological age-related changes ranged from the formation of small osseous islands in the cartilage to a complete ossification between the first rib and the sternum. The main conclusion of the study is that the degree of ossification of the first costal cartilage as an indicator of age does not provide the precision necessary for anthropological or forensic studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Quantitative histomorphology of the blind mole rat harderian gland.

Anatomical, histological and morphometric studies have been performed on the harderian gland and its surroundings in the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi). The gland is tubuloalveolar with no true duct system. All ducts within the gland are formed by a single epithelial cell type and drain into a wide secretory duct. This opens into the conjunctival sac which serves as a reservoir for harderian secretions. Drainage from the conjunctival sac follows 2 possible routes: one through the nasolacrimal duct to the external nasal cavity, the other through a unique excretory duct that emerges from the anteromedial part of the conjunctival sac and runs through the dermis to the skin, opening at the base of a hair follicle. The function of this newly described duct is discussed. Morphometric studies revealed that the lumen volume fraction in the female, slightly smaller than that of the male during the summer, becomes significantly greater during the winter breeding season. The dimorphism and seasonal variations found in the gland acini suggests that the gland may be implicated in pheromone production.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Ohalo II H2: a 19,000-year-old skeleton from a water-logged site at the Sea of Galilee, Israel.

The discovery of well-preserved human remains at the site of Ohalo II in the northern Jordan Valley substantially augments the meager fossil record of the Levantine late Upper Pleistocene. The Ohalo II H2 specimen, dated to ca. 19,000 B.P., is the most complete early Epipaleolithic hominid discovered in Israel and promises to contribute to the clarification of a number of problematic issues in the local evolution of anatomically modern humans. In addition to a description of the burial and its Kebaran context, a detailed anatomical description of the skeleton is offered and morphometric comparisons are made to other Upper Paleolithic hominids. Ohalo II H2 is shown to demonstrate affinities in the craniofacial skeleton to fossils from the early Upper Paleolithic and late Epi-Paleolithic of the Levant.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Radiographic features of anterior buccal mandibular depression in modern human cadavers.

The anterior buccal mandibular depression (ABMD) becomes significant when evaluating edentulous patients prior to implant insertion. The features of the ABMD in dry mandibles from ancient populations have been reported. In the present study the prevalence and radiological appearance of the ABMD and the influence of soft tissue superposition on its radiological detectability in the jaws of modern human cadavers were evaluated. The prevalence of ABMD was 32%. The presence of soft tissue significantly influenced the radiopacity of the ABMD area and the degree of definition of the borders (p=0.0003 and 0.0001 respectively). Changes in the trabecular pattern were observed in 36% of the cases without soft tissue compared with 29% with soft tissue. The ABMD was more readily detected on CT scans than on conventional periapical or panoramic radiographs.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1994

Anterior buccal mandibular depression (ABMD). Anatomic and histologic features.

The anterior buccal mandibular depression (ABMD) is a bilateral symmetrical depression located anterior to the mental foramen and extends under the alveoli of the first premolar to the central incisor. The prevalence, dimensions and contents of the ABMD in cadavers of fetuses and adult modern humans were evaluated. ABMD was found in all fetuses and in 31.8% of adults. The average dimensions of the ABMD in adults were depth 2.36 mm, width 5.44 mm and length 12.43 mm. The present study contributes to a better evaluation of the differential diagnosis and treatment planning in the anterior region of the mandible. A possible etiology for the development of ABMD is suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Suicidal asphyxia by gas mask.

Antichemical warfare kits that were issued to all Israeli residents 6 months before the Gulf War included masks of various types suited to the age of the user. During the war, 10 adults died of suffocation due to mishandling of the filter of the masks despite the offil Defense Authority's repeated instructions to be cautious. These masks remained in the possession of the population after the war. We report on six cases of suicidal asphyxia incurred by donning the gas mask tightly sealed that have occurred since 1991.

Adult↗