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Calcaneus

August 7, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh Leave a Comment

Calcaneus or Calcaneum is the largest of the tarsal bones is the largest bone of the foot.

The posterior half of the bone is the tuber calcanei. On its lower edge on either sides are its lateral and medial processes which serve as the origins of the abductor hallucis and abductor digit minimi. The Achilles tendon is inserted into a roughened area on its superior side, the cuboid bone articulates with its anterior side, and on its superior side are three articular surfaces for the articulation with the talus bone. [Read more...]

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Arnold Chiari Malformation

June 5, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh Leave a Comment

Arnold-Chiari malformation is a malformation of the brain. It is also known as Chiari malformation.  It is a downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum (the opening at the base of the skull). This may cause obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid and hydrocephalus.

Types

I

This is most common form. A congenital malformation which is asymptomatic during childhood, but often manifests with headaches and cerebellar symptoms. Herniation of cerebellar tonsils occurs.

Syndrome of occipitoatlantoaxial hypermobility is an acquired Chiari I Malformation in patients with hereditary disorders of connective tissue. [Read more...]

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Cuboid

June 2, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh Leave a Comment

In the human body, the cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones of the foot.

Articulations

[image shows articulations of left cuboid]

Distally, the Cuboid articulates with the fourth and fifth metatarsals, forming the fourth and fifth tarsometatarsal joints.

Proximally, it articulates with the calcaneus, forming the calcaneocuboid joint.

The medial surface of the bone articulates with both the lateral cuneiform bone and the navicular bone.

The inferior surface has a groove on its distal third for the tendon of the peroneous longus muscles.

The calcaneocuboid joint is a vital link in lateral foot stability. The calcaneocuboid joint is formed by the calcaneus and cuboid bones. This joint is susceptible to sudden injury or chronic strain, which can cause this joint to partially dislocate or subluxate.

Text and Image Credit: Wikipedia

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Decompression

April 13, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh 3 Comments

Decompression in literal terms mean removal of compression. The term is used whenever a surgery is done to relieve the compression. Most frequent deompressive surgery is performed in spine.

Spinal decompression surgery is a general term that refers to procedures for relieving symptoms caused by pressure, or compression, on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.

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Chymopapain

April 9, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh Leave a Comment

Chymopapain is a proteolytic enzyme isolated from the latex of papaya. It is a medication used to treat slipped lower lumbar discs in the spine.

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Arachnoid Mater

April 5, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh Leave a Comment

The meninges is the system of membranes which envelops the central nervous system. The meninges consist of three layers: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater.

The arachnoid mater is the midddle and is interposed between the two other meninges, the more superficial dura mater and the deeper pia mater. It is separated from the pia mater by the subarachnoid space.

It is, attached to the inside of the dura, surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid flows under this membrane in the subarachnoid space.

The arachnoid and pia mater are sometimes considered as a single structure, the leptomeninx, or leptomeninges..

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Cerebrospinal Fluid

April 4, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh 1 Comment

Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF, is a bodily fluid that occupies the subarachnoid space (space between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater) and the ventricular system around and inside the brain.

It constitutes the content of all intra-cerebral (inside the brain, cerebrum) ventricles, cisterns, and sulci (singular sulcus), as well as the central canal of the spinal cord.

It acts as a “cushion” or buffer for the cortex, providing a basic mechanical and immunological protection to the brain inside the skull.

It is produced in the choroid plexus in ventricles of brain.

Normal flow of CSF is required for normal functions of brain and spine.

Spinal anaesthesia or subarachnoid block involves pushing the drug into this space.

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What Is Debridement

March 31, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh Leave a Comment

Debridement is defined as the removal of a patient’s dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue.

The removal may be achieved by  autolytic (self-digestion), chemical and surgical. Maggot therapy is debridement where certain species of live maggots selectively eat only necrotic tissue.

Debridement is an important part of the healing process for burns and other serious wounds.

Autolytic Debridement

It uses  body’s own enzymes and moisture to re-hydrate, soften and finally liquefy hard eschar and slough.  Autolytic debridement can be achieved with the use of occlusive or semi-occlusive dressings  with hydrocolloids, hydrogels and transparent films. [Read more...]

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Carpus

March 29, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh 1 Comment

Carpus is the region between metacarpals and distal ends of radius and ulna. It corresponds to the region of wrist.

the main role of the carpus is to facilitate effective positioning of the hand and powerful use of the extensors and flexors of the forearm, but the mobility of individual carpal bones increase the freedom of movements at the wrist.

Carpus has eight bones arranged in two rows, proximal and distal.

Carpal Bones - Distal and Proximal Rows Proximal: A=Scaphoid, B=Lunate, C=Triquetral, D=Pisiform Distal: E=Trapezium, F=Trapezoid, G=Capitate, H=Hamate

Proximal row has from lateral to medial side scaphoid, lunate, triquetral and pisiform
Distal row has trapezium, trapezoid, capitate and hamate

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Abductor Pollicis Brevis

March 26, 2010 By Dr Arun Pal Singh 2 Comments

The abductor pollicis brevis is an abductor of the thumb.

It is a thenar muscle, and therefore contributes to the bulk of the palm’s thenar eminence.

It originates from the flexor retinaculum of the hand, the tubercle of the scaphoid bone, and additionally sometimes from the tubercle of the trapezium.

Running lateralward and downward, it is inserted by a thin, flat tendon into the lateral side of the base of the first phalanx of the thumb and the capsule of the metacarpophalangeal joint.

It is supplied by median nerve. C8/T1

This muscle is abductor of the thumb. It also assists in opposition and extension of the thumb.

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