Background: The celiac-mesenteric trunk is an anatomic variant where there is a common origin for the superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk. We sought to determine the prevalence of this ...variation in an Afro-Caribbean population. Methodology: Anatomic dissections were observed over 5 years, and specimens with celiac-mesenteric trunks were identified for detailed investigation. We measured celiac-mesenteric trunk diameters at their origin from the aorta. Results: Dissections were performed in sixty-nine cadavers at a mean age of 68 years (range 55–85). Only one celiac-mesenteric trunk (1.5%) was encountered in an Afro-Caribbean male. This cadaver had no other morphologic anomalies. The celiac-mesenteric trunk had an internal diameter of 13.06 mm at its origin (55% aortic diameter). Conclusion: In this Afro-Caribbean population, a celiac-mesenteric trunk was found in 1.5% of unselected cadavers. This formidable vessel was 55% of the aortic diameter. Therefore, healthcare professionals must be aware of this variant to avoid inadvertent injury during clinical interventions.
Background In the classic descriptions of the human liver, the umbilical fissure (UF) is a long, narrow groove on the visceral surface that receives the ligamentum teres hepatis. In this study, we ...document the UF variations encountered in a series of cadaveric dissections. Methods We reported UF variations using the following classification: Type I refers to "normal" anatomy where there is a long, narrow groove. In type II, the UF was covered by a fibrotic band devoid of hepatic parenchyma. In type III variants, an extension of hepatic parenchyma partially covered but did not obliterate the UF. In type IV variants, the hepatic parenchyma formed a bridge over the UF, completely obliterating the groove. After institutional review board approval, we observed all consecutive cadaveric dissections over five years and recorded the characteristics and dimensions of each UF and its immediate relations. Results There were 69 cadavers, and variant UFs were present in 38 (55.1%) cadavers: type II (1.5%), type III (20.3%), and type IV (33.3%). Conclusions In this Jamaican population, only 44.9% of persons had conventional "normal" anatomy and 55.1% had UF variants. These variants are clinically significant, as they lead to misinterpretation of patient imaging and can hinder operative procedures on the liver.
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