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Biomedical subjects

R L Newell

Publications and source records attributed to R L Newell.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Anatomical spaces: a review.

The meaning and usefulness of the phrase "an anatomical space" are questioned. The concept of anatomical space is examined from historical, developmental, and topographical viewpoints. The validity of the idea and usage of the term "potential space" is discussed. The criterion of Haines (1991) is adopted, that only "spaces" or "cavities" that are lined with a "mesothelial" layer and that can repeatedly be opened up without tissue damage should be considered "true potential spaces." A plea is made that all other anatomical "spaces" be designated "compartments."

Anatomy↗
PubMed1999

The spinal epidural space.

The validity of the concept of an epidural 'space' within the vertebral canal is questioned. An attempt is made to locate the 'space' morphologically, developmentally, and topographically. Following Parkin and Harrison (1985), it is agreed that no actual 'space' exists in the intact living subject. It is suggested that the spinal epidural space satisfies the criteria of Haines (1991) to be considered a "true potential space." As such, and by analogy with other body cavities, it would be better termed the 'epidural cavity', as it was in the 1983 edition of the Nomina Anatomica.

Dura Mater↗
PubMed1997

The calcar femorale: a tale of historical neglect.

The term calcar femorale (originally referring to a bony spur projecting into the cancellous tissue of the base of the femoral neck) differs from most anatomical terms in that it has developed separate meanings in different areas of use. In particular, its present meaning for most orthopedic surgeons differs from its classical anatomical significance. This work shows that the classical, "textbook" anatomical interpretation-usually attributed to Merkel (1874, cited by Harty, 1957, J. Bone Joint Surg. [Am.] 39:625-630)-is not entirely correct, being based on an incomplete appreciation of the true nature of the three-dimensional structure of the upper end of the femur. Though Humphry (1858, A Treatise on the Human Skeleton, Cambridge, England: Macmillan) was aware of the importance of the third dimension, it was the largely neglected work of Dixon (1910, J. Anat. Physiol., 44:223-230), itself published to draw attention to the ideas of Krause (1909, in Bardeleben's Handbuch der Anatomie des Menschen, Jena: Gustav Fischer), which indicated the true nature of the calcar femorale and the limitations of Merkel's view. Dixon's work has been developed and consolidated by others such as Garden (1961, J. Bone Joint Surg. [Br.] 43:576-589), who was apparently unaware of Dixon, just as Dixon himself appears to have been unaware of the work of Bigelow (1875, published in Bigelow, 1900, The Mechanisms of Dislocations and Fracture of the Hip, Boston: Little, Brown), which pre-empted one of his major concepts. Even earlier work by Bigelow (1869, published in Bigelow; 1900, The Mechanisms of Dislocations and Fracture of the Hip, Boston: Little, Brown) appears to have pre-empted that of Merkel. The adoption of the three-dimensional, "Dixon concept" of the bony anatomy of the upper end of the femur leads to an entirely different set of structural engineering analogies from those two-dimensional ones which have become commonplace since the work of Ward (1838, cited by Garden, 1961, J. Bone Joint Surg. [Br.] 43:576-589) and Wolff (1870, cited by Keith, 1919, Menders of the Maimed, London: Frowde and Hodder & Stoughton).

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMed1995

Spondylolysis. An historical review.

This historical review covers the earliest recorded findings and descriptions of lumbar spondylolysis, as well as the century-old etiologic controversy regarding this condition. The importance of the work of Robert zu Coblenz in 1855 is recognized regarding the biomechanical and clinical understanding of the nature of spondylolysis. Other important medical personalities are discussed through an extensive look at the literature.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed1993

Loss of the fibrocartilaginous lining of the intertubercular sulcus associated with rupture of the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii.

Fibrocartilage lines the intertubercular sulcus of the humerus and protects both the bone and the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii where the tendon passes through the sulcus. It provides a smooth, resilient, lubricated gliding surface on the bone. The fibrocartilage is highly metachromatic and organised into distinct superficial and deep zones. In the superficial zone, the cells are small and the fibres run parallel to the articular surface. In the deep zone, the cells are large and rounded and the coarse bundles of fibres are interwoven. In 6 of the 26 dissecting room cadavers examined the tendons were completely ruptured. In these, the fibrocartilage was replaced by loose connective tissue that resembled the synovium of the tendon sheath. The results suggest that bone fibrocartilage exhibits dynamic behaviour in response to changes in its environment, in the same manner as tendon fibrocartilage.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The structure of the insertions of the tendons of biceps brachii, triceps and brachialis in elderly dissecting room cadavers.

The terminal portions of the tendon of brachialis, and the distal tendons of biceps brachii and triceps, were compared by routine histology. All tendons came from elderly dissecting room cadavers. There were pronounced quantitative differences between the 3 tendons in (1) the thickness of the attachment-zone fibrocartilage, (2) the thickness of cortical calcified tissue, and (3) the percentage of bone to marrow. There was significantly more uncalcified fibrocartilage at the attachment of biceps than at the other sites, reflecting greater range of movement of the tendon at this site. The thickness of cortical calcified tissue and the percentage of bone to marrow were significantly greater at the attachment of brachialis than either biceps or triceps. The large quantities of bone at the attachment of brachialis may be related more to the importance of the coronoid process in buttressing the elbow joint than to any special requirement for large amounts of calcified tissue at the tendon attachment. Near its attachment zone, the biceps tendon splits into superficial and deep laminae that are distinct from the macroscopic subdivision of this tendon. It is suggested that the lamination may facilitate the movements of pronation and supination. In support of this, the deep portion of the superficial lamina contained fibrocartilage where it rubbed against the attachment-zone of the deep lamina. In one body, the fibrocartilage of the biceps attachment-zone was subject to degenerative changes, including cell clumping and matrix fissuring.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

An anomalous muscle crossing the supraclavicular triangle: the cleidotrachelian muscle.

An abnormal muscle is described that passes superficially across omohyoid in the left posterior triangle of the neck. Its origin resembles that of scalenus anterior, but its form is triangular and it inserts directly onto the superior surface of the clavicle just lateral to the clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid. Its anatomical course gives it morphological and embryological interest; its relations in the supraclavicular triangle give it considerable surgical relevance. The name cleidotrachelian muscle is suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Ankylosing spondylitis and trauma: the medicolegal implications. A comparative study of patients with non-specific back pain.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) arising as a result of injury was reported by five of 113 hospital patients who completed questionnaires on the historical and symptomatic features of their disease. Identical questionnaires were given to a group of 51 patients with non-specific back pain (NSBP) attending an orthopaedic clinic. Five of these patients developed their first symptoms after trauma. A further four patients with ankylosing spondylitis believed that their disease was initiated by injury, however, x-ray photographs showed that they had already developed AS at the time of their injuries. It is suggested that injury does not cause AS but brings it to the patient's attention, possibly through immobilisation, in 7% of hospital cases.

Accidents↗
PubMed1977

Lumbosacral fracture-dislocation: a case managed conservatively, with return to heavy work.

A 41-year-old agricultural sustained a lumbosacral fracture-dislocation when a tree fell across his back. The initial anterior displacement of half the depth of the body of L5 progressed to three-quarters of the body over a 2-year period. Neurological deficit was minimal and the management was conservative. Spontaneous arrest of the displacement occurred by anterior sacral buttressing and the patient has returned to his previous heavy work.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The aetiology of congenital angulation of tubular bones with constriction of the medullary canal, and its relationship to congenital pseudarthrosis.

It is suggested that there is a group of cases of congenital angulation of tubular bones in which the lesion is a defect of ossification of the primary cartilaginous anlage and in which neurofibromatosis is not implicated. It appears that in this group the prognosis with regard to the resolution of deformity and the prevention of pseudarthrosis with conservative treatment or relatively simple surgical procedures is better than that in the neurofibromatous type.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Olecranon fractures in children.

A series of 40 cases of fractures of the olecranon in children under the age of 11 years is presented. These fractures are commonest at 5 years of age and are almost twice as common in boys as in girls. The fracture is usually undisplaced and incomplete; fractures in the long axis of the ulna (the 'longitudinal split' fracture) are not uncommon in children. Associated injury of the proximal end of the radius is recognized. Only 2 cases were sufficiently displaced to require open reduction. Although immobilization in plaster with the elbow at 90 degree for a month is usually recommended, the results indicate that in the usual undisplaced and incomplete fracture, a period of 3 weeks in a sling may be all the treatment necessary.

Age Factors↗