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INTRODUCTION: The concept of the study was to compare the morphometry of the suprascapular notch (SSN) in females and males because its size and shape may be a factor in suprascapular nerve entrapment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The measurements of 81 scapulae included morphological length and width, maximal width and length projection of the scapular spine, and width and length of the glenoid cavity. The width-length scapular and glenoid cavity indices were calculated. In addition to standard anthropometric measurements three other dimensions were defined and collected for every SSN: maximal depth (MD), superior (STD) and middle (MTD) transverse diameters. RESULTS: The analysis of the measurements allowed us to distinguish five types of SSN. Type I (26%) had longer maximal depth than superior transverse diameter. Type II (3%) had equal MD, STD and MTD. In type III (57.6%) superior transverse diameter was longer than maximal depth. In type IV (7.4%) a bony foramen was present. Type V (6%) was without a discrete notch. Types I and III were divided into two subtypes: A (MTD was longer than STD) and B (MTD < STD). Distribution of the suprascapular notch types in both sexes was similar. However, MD, STD and MTD were significantly higher in males. The superior transverse suprascapular ligament was completely and partially ossified in 7.4% and 24.7% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presented classification of the suprascapular notch is simple, easy to use, and based on specific geometric parameters which allow one to clearly distinguish five types of these structures. All dimensions of SSN were significantly higher in males than in females.

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The role of tissue characterization by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging of the aortic wall has not been well established. The artificial neural networks (ANNs) are a promising tool for image classification. The aim of the study was to assess the texture correlation between matching IVUS and histologic images of the aortic wall. The computer-based discrimination of pathology within the data sets was also evaluated. In vitro IVUS images and histologic sections from 36 aortic segments were compared using texture parameters that produced the best correlation or the highest discriminative value. The images were classified as normal or abnormal with variable degrees of pathology. Tissue characterization was performed by a nearest neighbor classifier, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and the ANN-based approach. Good agreement was observed between IVUS and the histologic reference with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.89, r = 0.76 and r = 0.71 for the three most successful texture parameters. The ANN-based approach was the most effective in discriminant analysis, with a correct classification rate of 87.5% for histologic images and 79.2% for IVUS data. The study shows that ANNs are a potentially effective tool for assessment of IVUS aortic images.

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The purpose of the study was to analyse the occurrence of the third trochanter and its correlation with the morphology of the human femur. The third trochanter was found in 38 of 622 (6.2%) human femora taken from 3 excavation sites. 36 of these were included in the study and were compared to the femora without the third trochanter. The bones with the third trochanter were characterised by a greater superior sagittal diameter and diaphysis platymetry index as well as a larger greater trochanter. These results suggest that the third trochanter is not a progressive morphological feature of the skeleton. Rather it is connected with an altered gluteal muscle function.

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The aim of the study was a morphometrical macroscopic evaluation of extralaryngeal diameters in elderly people, according to its usefulness in ORL diagnostic and operational methods. Laryngeal preparations together with surrounding structures were taken from cadavers of both sexes, aged 65 and over, about 24 hours after death. Clinically important extralaryngeal diameters were collected using common morphometrical methods. A few body features were also gathered. Computer statistical methods were used in data assessment including basic statistics and linear correlations between diameters, and between diameters and body features. The data presented in the study may be very helpful in diagnostic methods' evaluation. They may also help in: selection of the appropriate operational tool size, choice of the most appropriate operational technique, preoperative preparations and designing and building virtual models for physicians' training.

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The aim of this review is to describe the advantages and limitations of several methods used in anatomical investigations of intravisceral blood and lymphatic networks. The microangiographic methods as well as corrosion methods are described. In conclusion the authors confirmed that the most useful way for exploration of the blood and lymphatic vessels is to prepare corrosion casts. This paper focuses on the scanning electron microscopic examination of vascular corrosion casts. This method allows the examination of the three-dimensional organisation of vessels, including the blood and lymphatic capillaries. Imprints of endothelial cell nuclei can be observed on the surface of the blood and lymphatic vessels.

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The purpose of the study was to describe and analyse sciatic nerve variation in a relatively small, yet statistically significant, group. Consequently, a comparison of described variation to that known from former studies was performed. Additionally, we estimated the minimum group necessary for a statistical confirmation of hypothetical differences in sciatic nerve topography between the studies.

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