Anatomical Science International最新文献

{"title":"Common hepatic artery branching from the superior mesenteric artery with a common trunk of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery and first jejunal artery.","authors":"Ryotaro Izumiyama, Anon Watanabe, Koki Asai, Shuichiro Inoue, Yutaro Natsuyama, Shinichi Kawata, Hidenobu Miyaso, Zhong-Lian Li, Tomiko Yakura, Masahiro Itoh","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00956-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00956-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adachi type VI is a rare celiac artery (CA) variant in which the left gastric and splenic arteries form a gastrosplenic trunk. In this type, the common hepatic artery (CHA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) arise from a hepatomesenteric trunk, and the CHA passes posterior to the portal vein (PV). In addition, a common trunk formed by the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA) and the first jejunal artery (J1A) has been reported in anatomical studies. However, to our knowledge, the concurrent presence of Adachi type VI together with a posteriorly originating IPDA-J1A common trunk has not been previously reported. A 93-year-old male cadaver donated to Tokyo Medical University was examined. The arterial system of the upper abdomen was observed macroscopically, and arterial diameters and branching patterns were recorded. A gastrosplenic trunk arose from the abdominal aorta (AA) and divided into the left gastric artery (LGA) and splenic artery (SA). Inferior to the gastrosplenic trunk, a hepatomesenteric trunk arose from the AA and divided into the CHA and SMA, corresponding to Adachi type VI. In addition, the IPDA and J1A arose from a common trunk originating from the posterior aspect of the SMA. The coexistence of these variations could reflect the persistence of ventral splanchnic arterial segments that normally regress during embryonic development. Clinically, procedures such as Appleby's operation and distal pancreatectomy with CA resection can compromise hepatic and gastric perfusion, although collateral pathways from the SMA may compensate in some cases. Therefore, understanding arterial variations such as the present case is important from both anatomical and clinical perspectives.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148387220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological and ultrastructural study of selected endocrine gland (thyroid, ultimobranchial, and adrenal) in Egyptian Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavos).","authors":"Fatma M Abdel-Maksoud, Marwa M Hussein, Amira Hamdy, Abdelmohaimen M M Saleh","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00948-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00948-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The thyroid, ultimobranchial, and adrenal glands are major endocrine organs in birds, essential for regulating various physiological functions. This study presents a comprehensive morphological and ultrastructural investigation of these three glands in adult male Egyptian turkeys using light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thyroid and ultimobranchial glands are in the thoracic cavity near the trachea, while the adrenal glands are positioned adjacent to the caudal vena cava and cranial poles of the kidneys. Histologically, the thyroid follicles are lined by simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium. The ultimobranchial gland appears as a single-lobed structure encased in a thick capsule and composed of C-cell follicles and cords. These C cells exhibit light and dark variants, with ultrastructural evidence of secretory granules, abundant vacuoles, and active rough endoplasmic reticulum. The adrenal gland is encapsulated by a thick layer of connective tissue. Its parenchyma showed intermingled interrenal and chromaffin cells, with the former arranged in multilayered follicles. Chromaffin cells formed large clusters and are distinguished into epinephrine and norepinephrine types by ultrastructure and Grimelius silver staining. These findings contribute valuable insights into the comparative avian endocrinology and structural adaptations of the turkey's endocrine organs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148315289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of the high-riding vertebral artery depends on how it is defined: a meta-analysis with implications for C2 screw fixation.","authors":"Răzvan Costin Tudose, George Triantafyllou, Maria Piagkou, Mugurel Constantin Rusu","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00954-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00954-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The high-riding vertebral artery (HRVA) is a common anatomical variant that increases the risk of vertebral artery injury during C2 screw placement for craniocervical fixation. The reported prevalence of HRVA has varied widely (4-65%), partly due to inconsistent definitions and mixed analytical units. The current study aimed to provide a definition-sensitive, hierarchically stratified pooled prevalence of HRVA. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (inception through March 2026) identified 687 records. After screening, 51 full-text articles were reviewed, and 21 studies (34 independent cohorts; 3972 patients, 6598 sides) met criteria for quantitative pooling. A hierarchical analytical framework was applied: a primary, strict analysis restricted to patient-level cohorts using the conventional Neo/Bloch definition (C2 isthmus height ≤ 5 mm and/or internal height ≤ 2 mm); an expanded patient-level analysis incorporating all HRVA definitions; and a separate standard-definition side/joint-level analysis. Prevalence was pooled using random-effects models with the Freeman-Tukey double-arcsine transformation, with logit-transformed and binomial-normal mixed-model analyses as sensitivity analyses. The strict patient-level pooled prevalence was 32.2% (95% CI: 23.5-41.5%; I² = 65.7%; k = 7). Restricting to non-pathological/general populations yielded 28.5% (95% CI: 25.3-31.8%; I² = 39.9%), while pathological/selected populations pooled to 40.0% (95% CI: 17.8-64.5%). The expanded patient-level analysis (k = 21) yielded 31.7% (95% CI: 24.4-39.4%; I² = 89.5%). Definition-stratified subgroup analysis revealed a nearly fourfold range in pooled prevalence (16.8% for axial-pedicle-only to 61.5% for isthmus-only definitions). The standard-definition side- or joint-level prevalence was 20.3% (95% CI: 12.4-29.5%; k = 12). Estimates were robust to the logit transformation and a mixed-effects model, and leave-one-out analysis across all 21 cohorts confirmed robustness (range: 29.4-33.1%). Approximately one in four general-population patients and two in five pathological-population patients harbour at least one HRVA. Prevalence estimates are highly sensitive to HRVA definition, population composition, and analytical unit. Preoperative CT evaluation of the vertebral artery course at C2 should be mandatory for all patients planned for craniocervical instrumentation. Future studies should adopt the standardised Neo/Bloch definition and report prevalence by morphometric subtype to enable meaningful cross-study comparison.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148306793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Departmental analysis of robotic cadaver surgical training outcomes at Tottori university robotic surgery training and medical device innovation center.","authors":"Hiroaki Komatsu, Shuichi Morizane, Risa Matsuda, Sawako Hamasaki, Mayumi Sawada, Shinichi Sakai, Manabu Yamamoto, Shinji Tanishima, Shinya Sato, Takao Mukuda, Yugo Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Fujiwara, Yasushi Yoshikawa, Kazunori Fujiwara, Masamichi Kurosaki, Toshiyuki Kaidoh, Atsushi Takenaka, Fuminori Taniguchi","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00953-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00953-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cadaver surgical training (CST) plays an essential role in surgical education and innovation by enabling hands-on practice under realistic anatomical conditions without compromising patient safety. In Japan, CST has expanded rapidly following the establishment of ethical and legal frameworks, and has contributed not only to technical training but also to anatomical discovery and surgical procedure development. However, interdepartmental perceptions of multidisciplinary robotic CST remain poorly characterized. We conducted a descriptive analysis of post-course questionnaires completed by participants in robotic CST programs held at the Tottori University Robotic Surgery Training and Medical Device Innovation Center (ToRSC) between September 2024 and September 2025. Participants were classified by specialty, and outcomes included training goal achievement, facility satisfaction, and cost evaluation. Results were summarized descriptively by department. A total of 85 participants from multiple surgical specialties were included. Most respondents reported moderate to high achievement of training goals, with responses concentrated in the 80-100% and 50-80% achievement categories. Satisfaction with equipment and supplies/consumables was generally high across specialties, although some variation was observed among smaller departments. The majority of participants considered the participation fee appropriate. Multidisciplinary robotic CST conducted at ToRSC was associated with high perceived training goal achievement, high facility satisfaction, and broad acceptance of course costs across surgical specialties. These findings support the feasibility and educational value of robotic CST as a shared institutional platform for surgical education and innovation, while highlighting the importance of maintaining an ethical commitment to body donors and translating donor-based learning into improved patient care and societal benefit.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148306808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sphenoid sinus pneumatization types, extensions and adjacent neurovascular structures: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.","authors":"Panagiotis Papadopoulos-Manolarakis, George Triantafyllou, Nektaria Karangeli, Fotis Demetriou, Sabino Luzzi, Christos Georgalas, George Stranjalis, Maria Piagkou","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00955-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00955-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The sphenoid sinus (SS) exhibits significant anatomical variability that critically impacts the safety and efficacy of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to establish global prevalence rates for SS pneumatization patterns, extensions, and the relationship with adjacent neurovascular structures to guide surgical planning. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science until October 2025. Studies reporting SS pneumatization types, extensions, and neurovascular protrusions/dehiscences based on imaging or cadaveric dissection were included. Random-effect models were used for the meta-analysis. The sellar type was the predominant pneumatization pattern, with the complete sellar type accounting for 48.39%. Statistically significant results were identified based on nationality and study type. Extensions into the greater wing (34.17%) and pterygoid process (25.51%) were common. The Vidian nerve (VN) showed the highest rates of protrusion (32.61%) and dehiscence (14.60%), followed by the internal carotid artery (ICA) (protrusion: 29.77%; dehiscence: 9.47%) and optic nerve (ON) (protrusion: 23.46%; dehiscence: 10.92%). The imaging modality used did not affect the neurovascular structure variations. The SS is a highly variable structure with frequent extensions that expose vital neurovascular structures to surgical risk. Although the subgroup analyses did not depict statistically significant results, computed tomography scan with less than 1 mm slice thickness should be used for evaluation of SS anatomy. The high prevalence of VN and ICA dehiscence necessitates rigorous preoperative evaluation. These findings provide a crucial anatomical reference for optimizing surgical approaches and minimizing complications in skull base surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148306742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anatomical investigation of the superficial venous drainage of the suboccipital surface of the cerebellum.","authors":"Ayanda Shandu, Joastin Naidoo, Indheresan Govindsamy Moodley, Lelika Lazarus","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00949-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00949-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Surgical approaches to the fourth ventricle involve the suboccipital surface of the cerebellum, where the inferior vermian vein (IVV) and inferior hemispheric vein (IHV) are often encountered and are at risk of injury. Iatrogenic injury to these veins could thereby lead to venous infarction and other postoperative complications; however, venous anatomy of these veins remains less well characterised. A retrospective bilateral analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI was conducted for 79 patients (n = 158 hemispheres) focusing on presence, termination and diameter of these veins. Additionally, the dominant patterns of this surface were documented. These factors were then compared on the basis of laterality and sex. The IVV had an overall presence of 88.6% with no bilateral absence noted. The prevalent termination of the IVV was the straight sinus (47.9%). A single IHV was the frequent configuration (65.2%), with a maximum of 3 IHVs per hemisphere. IHVs were further investigated based on their configuration as longitudinal and transverse veins. The prevalent drainage point of the IHV was the tentorial sinus (42.8%). The mean diameter for the IVV and IHV was 1.7 ± 0.5 mm and 1.5 ± 0.4 mm, respectively. The suboccipital surface exhibited a prevalent co-dominant pattern (58.9%), followed by IVV dominant (32.3%) and IHV dominant patterns (8.9%), respectively. These findings provide clinically relevant data that will assist in surgical planning and reduce risk of iatrogenic injury during posterior fossa approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148306785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AI-driven differentiation of 2D proximal femur morphometry and hounsfield units for integrated forensic estimation of sex, stature, and age in a modern Thai dry bone sample.","authors":"Phannavich Malawan, Patara Rattanachet, Kittichai Wantanajittikul, Sukon Prasitwattanaseree, Tawachai Monum, Apichat Sinthubua, Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00952-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00952-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Computed Tomography (CT) imaging has expanded possibilities for biological profile estimation in forensic contexts. This study examined whether two-dimensional (2D) morphometric measurements and Hounsfield Unit (HU) values derived from CT scans of dry proximal femora could reliably estimate sex, stature, and age, and whether machine learning (ML) could meaningfully improve on traditional methods. Three hundred left femora from Thai individuals were scanned, and mid-coronal sections were used to extract measurements from defined anatomical regions. For sex estimation, conventional estimation equations reached 93.2% accuracy, while Naïve Bayes classification achieved 96.5% as the best performance among the ML models tested. Stature estimation using sex-specific 2D parameters yielded a Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) of 4.43 cm, which dropped to 3.96 cm when Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) were applied. Age estimation relied on HU values, which showed a consistent negative relationship with age. The lowest SEE for age was 9.67 years from measurements at the Primary Tensile Line (PTL) and Ward's Triangle in females. Models also performed better when applied to older age groups. Although sex-specific equations outperformed mixed-sex ones, the latter were kept in the analysis as a practical alternative when sex cannot be established prior to analysis. Overall, 2D morphometrics proved most useful for sex and stature estimation, while HU values emerged as a reliable, quantitative approach to age estimation. ML consistently improved model performance across all three estimation tasks, supporting its role in modern forensic anthropological practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148306736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morphological analysis of the greater palatine foramen in babies and children: anesthetic and surgical approach.","authors":"Marcelo Betti Mascaro, Marcelo Ferreira Calderon, Marcelo Cavenaghi Pereira Da Silva, Mario Jorge Cruz E Silva, Diogo Correa Maldonado","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00951-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00951-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The greater palatine foramen position during growth concerning deciduous dentition is extremely scarce. Knowledge of the anatomical variation of greater palatine foramen in infants and children is important to local anesthesia and to prevent injuries to the vascular-nervous bundle during surgeries. This study was conducted at Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). Eighteen dry skulls of babies and children between 9 months to 7 years old were selected. The skulls were divided into two groups as follows: group 1: skulls with erupted first primary molars (N = 9) and group 2: skulls with erupted second primary molars (N = 9). To assess the shape and area of the greater palatine foramen, its antero-posterior and latero-lateral diameters (LL) were measured. After that, a formula was applied to determine its area. To assess the position of the foramen, a straight line was drawn and measured from it to the midpalatal suture and laterally to the margin of alveolar crest. In addition, a straight line was drawn between the midpalatal suture and the most convex region of the distal surface of the last molar. The distance between this reference line to the foramen was measured. Data were tabulated, analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test and subsequently T-test was used to compare data between groups. The greater palatine foramen shifted significantly to lateral and posterior. The results show a change in the form and position of the foramen using the deciduous last molar as a reference, which is important for anesthetic techniques and surgical procedures performed in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148270016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why is the umbilicus concave? A histological and three-dimensional anatomical study revealing the \"umbilical sheath\".","authors":"Satoru Muro, Toshiro Tanioka, Niina Hirano, Tong Liu, Akimoto Nimura, Yusuke Kinugasa, Keiichi Akita","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00950-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00950-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The umbilicus is a distinct anatomical feature of the anterior abdominal wall, characterized by persistent postnatal depression. Despite its clinical and surgical relevance, the histological and spatial structures underlying the umbilical concavity remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the fibrous connective tissue underlying the umbilical concavity. Five formalin-fixed cadaveric specimens (mean age: 77.4 years) were used. Two were used for macroscopic dissection, two for histological examination, and one for quasi-continuous serial sectioning with three-dimensional reconstruction. Macroscopic dissection revealed a vertically cylindrical fibrous structure extending from the umbilical fossa to the anterior rectus sheath. Histological analysis confirmed that this structure enclosed a small fat compartment distinct from subcutaneous fat, representing an extraperitoneal fat protrusion in contact with the underside of the umbilical skin. Serial sections and three-dimensional reconstruction identified a tunnel-like fibrous structure, termed \"umbilical sheath,\" enveloping the protruded fat and bridging the umbilical ring and dermis. This sheath connected the invaginated skin to the linea alba and rectus sheath. We identified a previously undescribed fibrous structure, the umbilical sheath, enclosing a localized protrusion of extraperitoneal fat, maintaining umbilical concavity. Recognition of this structure may guide optimal port placement and promote abdominal wall closure techniques that preserve anatomical support, potentially reducing incisional hernia risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148270023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural and functional anatomy of the retinaculum cutis: review and new insights.","authors":"Sammy Dowlatshahi, Stephanie Francalancia, Frank H Willard, Gary Fudem","doi":"10.1007/s12565-026-00936-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-026-00936-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Practitioners worldwide have become interested in fascia and how it relates to human appearance and movement. Our study describes an anatomic layer containing connective tissue attachments between the dermis and threconstructive surgery and physical therapye underlying deep investing fascia. Classically labeled as the retinacula cutis (RCs) or fatty septa within the hypodermis, we sometimes refer to these connective tissue attachments as the subcutaneous endoskeleton or Cinderella Layer for their overlooked importance. The significance of these structural attachments as functional tethers has, to a large degree, been neglected. We are adding a descriptive classification system to various types of RCs, while further exploring the important clinical implications of the anatomy through a lens of reconstructive surgery and physical therapy. Dissection of 25 fresh, lightly embalmed, and hypertonic saline embalmed cadavers complemented years of clinical observation to identify and describe consistent relationships between the skin, hypodermis, fascia, and, in some cases, periosteum. We qualitatively noted whether the connective tissue attachments within the hypodermis were long or short, dense or filmy, elastic or rigid, and further subdivided the collagen and elastin bands into functional categories. Identification of the RCs was also attempted on sections from the Visible Human Project (National Library of Medicine). Our dissections revealed numerous and consistent attachments between the fascia and dermis. These RCs are found to have distributed fascial-dermal attachments with directional organization. The origin is typically a continuous fascial covering of muscle or bone, and the insertion is the dermal layer of the skin. The gross morphology of these attachments reinforces their aesthetic and functional purpose as a boundary, anchor, animator, accordion or elastic framework. In most areas of the body, the RCs serve more than one of these purposes. A few of these complex areas are highlighted separately. Gaining an appreciation for the concept of fascial-dermal attachments that define the human body as an organized network of compartments, contours, and creases is relevant to the surgeon, therapist, artist, and student of anatomy alike. Once recognized, their function can often be appreciated. Cataloging and categorizing the RCs with respect to their morphological and functional variability is a crucial addition to modern clinical anatomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":7816,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical Science International","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148203957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}