The superficial artery of the arm with a course anterior to the median nerve is found at an incidence of ≈13%, and it continues as the radial artery twice as frequently than as the ulnar artery; less frequently it continues as both arteries (Bergman et al. 1988). We report a rare case in which the superficial brachial artery continued as the common interosseous artery only and the deep brachial artery continued as the radial and superficial ulnar arteries in the cubital fossa.

The ulnar tunnel is located at the proximal part of the hand radial to the pisiform bone and to the proximal part of the carpal tunnel. Inside it lie the ulnar nerve and artery. Compression of the ulnar nerve in this tunnel is often reported. Cysts, occupational trauma, fractures and muscle variations are among the main causes (Schjelderup, 1964; Kleinert & Hayes, 1971). Damage to the ulnar nerve and artery during the endoscopic decompression of the carpal tunnel has been reported recently (Agee et al. 1992; Nath et al. 1993; De Smets & Fabry, 1995). The structures within the ulnar tunnel are closely related to the medial part of the flexor retinaculum, in particular the ulnar artery which is located lateral to the ulnar nerve. During a study of this region we found a rare disposition of the contents of this tunnel. We believe that knowledge of this variation is important for the surgical anatomy of this region.

Anomalies of the brachial plexus and its terminal branches are not uncommon. Variations in the course and branches of the musculocutaneous nerve have been noted (Clemente, 1985; Bergman et al. 1988) and its absence was reported by Le Minor (1990). Several anomalies were present in the left plexus of a 59-y-old Japanese man (Fig.). There were no anterior and posterior divisions of the middle trunk, although there were communications between the posterior, medial and lateral cords. The musculocutaneous nerve was absent (Le Minor, 1990) and the medial and lateral roots of the median nerve did not unite in the axillary fossa but in the upper arm about 5 cm distal to the lower border of latissimus dorsi (Adachi, 1928; Buch-Hansen, 1955). The hitherto unreported findings were branches arising directly from the lateral cord to supply coracobrachialis, both heads of biceps brachii and brachialis. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm was derived from the lateral cord with a small contribution from the medial root of the median nerve. Since there were communications between the posterior cord (a continuation of the middle trunk) and the medial and lateral cords, it is theoretically possibly, but not proven, that the root values of branches innervating the flexor muscles of the arm and forearm and the skin of lateral border of the forearm were normal.

European Tissue Culture Society

The 42nd International Congress of the European Tissue Culture Society will be held at the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany, on 12–15 October 1997. The theme will be ‘Multicellular organisation in vitro — from cells to tissue models’. It will include sessions on developmental and tumour biology, organotypic cultures and artificial organs, and genetically engineered cells in biotechnology and the clinic. Further information may be obtained from Prof. W. Mueller-Klieser, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Johannes Gutenberg University – Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, D-55099 Mainz, Germany (tel.: 49 6131 395761; fax 49 6131 395560).

The embryology and development of the hip joint are complex. In few areas of the body can so many morphological variations be seen. Minor anatomical abnormalities in the acetabular and femoral head shape, femoral–neck angle, and joint congruency, are frequent. Controversies still exist on the importance of these variations and on whether or not they put the patient at risk of developing early degenerative changes (Wedge et al. 1990). Even in clinically asymptomatic hips, the acetabulum is not always of the same shape or same depth. Minor degrees of ‘dysplasia’ have no more effect than to create a shallow acetabulum or possibly predispose to a labral tear (Dorrel & Caterall, 1986). Greater degrees may cause congenital subluxation or dislocation (Wiberg, 1939; Ponseti, 1978a).

Anomalous muscles in the first flexor compartment of the forearm are quite common. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) is a well known example (Kernohan et al. 1984; Ametewee et al. 1985; Elias et al. 1985; Tonkin & Lister, 1985). However, the anatomical variations of muscles, for example flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) in the second flexor compartment, are not rare (Hollinshead, 1969; Williams & Warwick, 1980; Honing et al. 1995; Williams et al. 1995). These muscles are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during anatomical dissection or at operation. However, they may be symptomatic, presenting as an enlarging tumour-like mass simulating a ganglion (Vichare, 1970; Hayes, 1974; Murakami & Todani, 1982) or may cause a compression neuropathy (Hutton & Kernohan, 1981; Simodynes & Cochran, 1981).

During archaeological excavations in the early modern cemetery in Kernavé, Lithuania, a complete skeleton of a presumed adult male individual was found (grave 108). This skeleton showed a short right humerus and missing radius, ulna and hand. Other parts of the skeleton appeared to be normal, characteristic of a robust constitution. The skeletal material was analysed by macroscopic and radiological techniques. Sex and age were determined following the suggestions of the European Association of Anthropologists (Ferembach et al. 1980), measurements were recorded according to Martin (1928) and Bräuer (1988), and the pathological alterations according to Schultz (1988). The robustness and the measurements indicate a male individual, whose age was put at 40–45 y using the combined method (cf. Ferembach et al. 1980; Szilvássy, 1988) of cranial suture closure, spongiosa structure of the proximal humerus and femur and structure of the pubic symphysis. Skeletal elements analysed included both humeri, clavicles and scapulae.

Gilbert Washington Causey, formerly professor and emeritus professor of surgery in the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Lincoln's Inn Fields, died on 25 August 1996.

Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland

Anatomical Society Research Studentships

Anatomical Society Senior Visiting Fellowship

Future meetings of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland

6–8 January 1998. University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

24–26 July 2000. University of Cambridge.

European Tissue Culture Society

The Volvo awards for low back pain research 1998

Anatomical Society of Great Britain

24–26 July 2000. University of Cambridge.

International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine

MacNab/Larocca Research Fellowship Award.

1998 Smith & Nephew Travelling Fellowship Award

Studying the shoulder joint in a palaeo-osteological context in recent years, I have been struck, like Prescher & Klümpen (1997), by the lack of information about the glenoid notch provided by the standard anatomical texts; indeed equally unexplained is the pear-shape of the glenoid cavity itself.