Background/Objectives: The median nerve exhibits clinically relevant anatomical variability, with critical implications for surgical exposure, regional anesthesia, peripheral nerve repair, and diagnostic imaging. Despite extensive descriptive reports, quantitative morphometric analyses incorporating biological sex and donor record population classification remain limited, particularly among Hispanic cadaveric cohorts. Methods: This multi-institutional cadaveric study evaluated median nerve formation and segmental morphometry in 82 anatomical donors, each contributing paired bilateral upper limbs (164 upper limbs total), classified in institutional records as Puerto Rican, Caucasian, or African American. Standardized dissections were performed from the brachial plexus to the distal forearm, and linear measurements were obtained between predefined anatomical landmarks using digital calipers. Results: Mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate morphometric differences associated with biological sex, donor record population classification, and anatomical location. Male specimens demonstrated localized differences in proximal median nerve formation, including a longer medial cord contribution on the left side. Population group comparisons identified greater measured morphometric distances in the Puerto Rican cohort compared with Caucasian and African American cohorts. Normalized LEH/MEH ratios did not differ between sexes, suggesting that some absolute differences may reflect limb-size scaling rather than proportional shifts in nerve position. Conclusions: These findings provide standardized landmark-based morphometric data and support the value of population-sensitive anatomical reference data for surgical planning and imaging-based interpretations of median nerve morphology.

Background The iliopsoas muscle influences lumbo-pelvic posture and gait stability, with its distal portions contributing to common anterior hip pathologies, including iliopsoas bursitis, impingement, and tendinopathy. Despite its role in such pathologies, the anatomical variation of the iliopsoas musculotendinous morphology is poorly described. This project, therefore, evaluated distal iliopsoas tendon morphology and its relationship to pelvic osseous structures. Methods Data on the iliopsoas tendon and osseous morphology were collected from 49 body donors. Linear measurements were collected between the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), lesser trochanter (LT), pubic tubercle (PT), and medial and lateral femoral epicondyles (ME, LE). Angles between landmarks were calculated trigonometrically. Correlation analyses were performed to determine whether correlations existed among variables, and independent t-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to assess differences among sexes and tendon morphotype categories.  Results Tendons were classified into three morphotypes: notched (53%), fan-shaped (25%), and narrow (22%), with narrow tendons being more common in males (25.8% versus 16.7%) and fan-shaped tendons in females (33.3% versus 19.4%). Fan-shaped tendons had a higher mean LT angle, but no variables differed significantly between tendon types. Females had significantly higher LT angle (p = 0.007) and psoas minor presence (60% versus 32.4%) versus males. Highly significant correlations were identified between ASIS angle and length from PT to LT (r = 0.659; p < 0.001), LT angle and length from ASIS to PT (r = 0.581; p < 0.001), and PT angle and distance between ASIS and LT (r = 0.474, p = 0.001). Overall, there was a significant relationship between sex and several linear and angular measurements. Conclusion The identification of distinct tendon morphotypes and relationships between the musculotendinous complex and osseous landmarks provides novel insight into anterior hip morphology. Findings may assist in the identification of persons at risk of anterior hip pathology.

The vertebral artery (VA) supplies almost one-third of the blood flow to the brain, contributing mainly to its posterior circulation. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the different anatomical variations related to the origin, course, and termination of the VA and associated clinical implications. Data were compiled from numerous published studies accessed from the databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) as of January 2024. Methodological quality was evaluated with an assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA). Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model, and differences in VA variant rates were assessed. VA variants were identified that could be separated into three categories: variation in origin, course, and terminal branches. A total of 16 studies met the established selection criteria for the current meta-analysis. VA variations were reported at an overall prevalence of 11

The marine turtle family Ctenochelyidae was a Late Cretaceous North American radiation of Pan-Chelonioidea, broadly distributed along the coastlines of the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Mississippi Embayment. Here, we describe a large, mostly articulated carapace representing a novel species of the ctenochelyid genus Asmodochelys from the Maastrichtian Neylandville Marl Formation in north central Texas. The specimen is diagnosed as a ctenochelyid by its large cordiform carapace with a broad nuchal embayment, prominent neural keel with epineural ossifications, and costoperipheral fontanelles. It has a unique combination of characters: large size ( 120 cm); epineurals dorsal to N1/2, N3/4, N5/6, and N7/8; robust articulation between costal 1 and peripherals 1–2; lack of postnuchal fontanelles; pronounced anterior horn-like projection of peripheral 1; weakly scalloped posterior peripherals. Maximum parsimony phylogenetic analyses were conducted in TNT v1.6, and in the resulting majority-rule consensus trees, the specimen was positioned at the base of Ctenochelyidae in an unresolved polytomy with Asmodochelys parhami and the unresolved clade of (Peritresius ornatus + Prionochelys matutina + Ctenochelys acris + Ctenochelys stenoporus). The Neylandville Marl lies within the faunal zone of the marine oyster Exogyra cancellata, providing a particular marine ecological context that extends from Mexico to New Jersey. The new species extends the stratigraphic range of Asmodochelys into the Maastrichtian of the Gulfian Series, and geographically further west of the Mississippi Embayment to north-central Texas. It is one of the latest surviving members of the Ctenochelyidae persisting into the Maastrichtian, a time of global climatic cooling when other major Campanian marine turtle lineages, such as protostegids and Toxochelys-like early stem-chelonioids faced extinction.

Ethical considerations around research and education with modern human subjects, use of human tissue, and studies involving humans are ubiquitous within the global scientific community. This commentary explores considerations around how and whether these types of ethical considerations may apply to hominin fossils. While some might propose that the age of a fossil could be the basis for decisions around their ethical handling, it may be that characteristics or behaviors of the hominins are a more appropriate measure to determine their ethical status. These types of ethical considerations have recently been examined in other historical human tissues, such as mummies and ancient DNA, with these ethical explorations being driven by a recognition of evolving ethical perspectives around the world. Thus, there is both the precedent and stimulus for the paleoanthropology community to revisit current ethical practices within the profession. Doing so would help identify and establish standards that are reflective of global perspectives around the contemporary ethical management of hominin fossils, and potentially assist in aligning these practices with other disciplines that work with both hominin fossils and human tissues.

This case study focuses on the atypical nerve contributions and branching patterns of the lumbar plexus in two human body donors at Midwestern University. It discusses their implications for pathology and surgical outcomes. Variations were identified in the anterior rami contributions and branching patterns of the lumbar plexus in both donors, predominantly in the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). While the typical contributions of LFCN include L2 and L3 spinal cord levels, the case donors received contributions only from L2 or from L1-L3 levels, with the nerves combining and separating multiple times before ultimately forming LFCN or multiple branches thereof. Unique branching patterns were also noted for the ilioinguinal and femoral nerves. These findings suggest that a deeper understanding of the lumbar plexus's variability is necessary to reduce the risks associated with surgical procedures in these regions, such as hip replacement, nerve block, and inguinal hernia repair, as well as the recognition and treatment of atypical nerve branch impingement. Further studies of lumbar plexus nerve contributions will be beneficial for improved clinical knowledge and reducing risks for complications.

The middle Campanian Menefee Formation (Fm.) of the San Juan Basin of New Mexico is a relatively understudied terrestrial deposit in southern Laramidia preceding the fossil-rich upper Campanian Fruitland and Kirtland formations that have been studied for more than a century. Previous collection efforts have revealed a diverse dinosaurian and crocodyliform fauna in the Menefee Fm., including ankylosaurian, tyrannosaurid, hadrosaurid, ceratopsian, and neosuchian taxa. Nearly a decade has passed since the last description of the Menefee turtle fauna, and we present new material that provides insight into turtle evolution during the Campanian in the Colorado Plateau, with implications for Late Cretaceous turtle paleobiostratigraphy in Laramidia. In particular, we extend the stratigraphic ranges of the baenids Neurankylus baueri and Scabremys ornata backwards from younger San Juan Basin strata, along with the nanhsiungchelyid Basilemys. Additional material increases Menefee representation of the relict helochelydrid Naomichelys, and the regionally prevalent derived baenids Denazinemys and Thescelus. Additionally, we report new pan-trionychian specimens, which provide insight into the persistence of Adocus and multiple trionychid and plastomenid species through the remainder of the Campanian in the San Juan Basin. A cluster analysis of turtle diversity across early-middle Campanian sites in Laramidia shows distributions consistent with latitudinal provinciality in some groups. For instance, derived baenids were restricted to latitudes south of southern Utah, along with marine taxa (bothremydids and protostegids) and pan-kinosternoids. Basin-scale endemism is also suggested by some baenid and trionychid distributions. Otherwise, the turtle fauna of the Menefee most closely resemble those of the similarly-aged Wahweap Fm. in southern Utah, and the Aguja Fm. in the Big Bend area of Texas and Mexico to a lesser extent. The Menefee turtle assemblage is consistent with reconstructed paleoenvironments characteristic of the western shoreline of the Western Interior Seaway. Recurrent cyclothems in these settings shaped the development of fluviodeltaic deposits that preserved distal components of large channels with surrounding floodplains and swamps, along with evidence of freshwater, brackish, and possibly shallow marine influence.

Canids originally evolved in North America, presenting a compelling story of shifting climates, paleogeographies, and both successes and failures in adapting to these changes. Species evolve-new ones arrive on the scene and established ones become extinct. The dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) is one of the most legendary of the extinct canids and is the most basal member of the crown group of large dogs (Canina) that includes the extant gray wolf (Canis lupus). Recently, Colossal Laboratory & Biosciences announced that they had resurrected the dire wolf, a process that they termed "de-extinction" by editing gray wolf nuclear genomes to include key differences found in select genes identified in dire wolf fossils, or in different genes that would replicate what they believe to be the effect of those genes. This process resulted in three pups possessing a small amount of dire wolf-like DNA born to a surrogate domestic dog. We discuss here the realities of the method, its results, and the ethical aspects of "de-extinction" for not only the dire wolf but many extinct and endangered species.

It is likely existing anatomical illustrations are often used as the basis for new illustrative works, given not all illustrators have access to human tissues, bodies, or prosections on which to base their illustrations. Potential issues arise with this practice in the realms of copyright infringement and plagiarism when authors are seeking to publish, a matter becoming more prevalent with the proliferation in publishing platforms and the increased adoption of generative artificial intelligence applications within academia. However, there is little published guidance that might inform authors when using an existing illustration as the basis for new work. This article provides information pertaining to copyright, copyright infringement, fair use and fair dealings, plagiarism, and the overlap of copyright and plagiarism to highlight issues of law and ethics that are relevant to the creation of illustrations. Interestingly, the determination of exactly what constitutes an "original" illustration per construction from a secondary source has not been determined in case law for anatomy illustrations. This fact illuminates the absence of a "bright-line" test for illustration reproduction and the difficulties in the objective assessment of what constitutes a "nonoriginal" illustration. The term "substantively different" is useful for determining whether illustrations derived from secondary sources can be deemed original. This article delivers guidance on how to develop illustrations with reference to determining whether copyright has been breached or plagiarism has occurred. It also provides information that will direct decision-making around illustrative content.

Open science, the practice of making research products and processes free and available to scientists and non-scientists alike, is transforming image-based studies using non-clinical computed tomography (CT). Recently, the National Science Foundation has established research coordination networks to help address principles of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability (FAIR) within the United States (US) scientific enterprise and in partnership with the global community. The Non-Clinical Tomography Users Research Network (NoCTURN) is one such organization, focused on CT data accessibility and reuse, helping to address significant obstacles related to bespoke hardware, proprietary software and siloed workflows. NoCTURN strives to develop and maintain linkages across CT ecosystems capable of driving cultural and technological changes. To that end, we discuss the last two decades of FAIR principles (when) and present our recommendations for CT data access by focusing on a survey of predominantly US CT users (who), the definition and role of metadata schemas (what), and the broad use of persistent identifiers (how).

Coronary artery and cardiac venous drainage patterns exhibit substantial anatomical variability, which can impact surgical planning and patient outcomes. While each system's variation has been studied independently, little is known about potential correlations between arterial supply and venous drainage of the heart. This study investigates coronary artery dominance and cardiac venous drainage dominance in a sample of 167 adult human cadaveric donors to better understand their prevalence and potential relationship. Coronary artery dominance was assessed based on the origin of the posterior interventricular artery (PIA), and cardiac venous drainage dominance was classified by examining the association of the great and middle cardiac veins to the apex of the heart. Among 165 hearts evaluated for arterial dominance, 81.21 % were right dominant, 12.73 % left dominant, and 6.06 % codominant. Of 80 hearts scored for cardiac venous dominance, 48.75 % were middle vein dominant (MVD), 6.25 % great vein dominant (GVD), and 45.00 % intermediate type (IM). No significant differences in dominance patterns were found between sexes or age at death. Additionally, analysis of 78 hearts with both arterial and venous structures showed no significant correlation between coronary artery dominance and venous drainage dominance. These findings confirm prior prevalence reports, underscore the anatomical variability in cardiac vasculature, and suggest that arterial and venous dominance patterns may develop independently. Understanding this variation is crucial for improving clinical outcomes in cardiac interventions. PURPOSE:This study investigates coronary artery dominance and cardiac venous drainage dominance in a sample of 167 adult human cadaveric donors to better understand their prevalence and potential relationship. METHODS:Coronary artery dominance was assessed based on the origin of the posterior interventricular artery (PIA), and cardiac venous drainage dominance was classified by examining the association of the great and middle cardiac veins to the apex of the heart. RESULTS:Among 167 hearts evaluated for arterial dominance, 81.21 % were right dominant, 12.73 % left dominant, and 6.06 % codominant. Of 80 hearts scored for cardiac venous dominance, 48.75 % were middle vein dominant (MVD), 6.25 % great vein dominant (GVD), and 45.00 % intermediate type (IM). No significant differences in dominance patterns were found between sexes (artery p = 0.45; vein p = 0.43) or age at death (artery p = 0.43, vein=0.48). Additionally, analysis of 78 hearts with both arterial and venous structures showed no significant correlation between coronary artery dominance and venous drainage dominance (p = 0.39). IMPLICATIONS:These findings confirm prior prevalence reports, underscore the anatomical variability in cardiac vasculature, and suggest that arterial and venous dominance patterns may develop independently.