That the highly trabeculated ventricular walls of the developing embryos transform to the arrangement during the fetal stages, when the mural architecture is dominated by the thickness of the compact myocardium, has been explained by the coalescence of trabeculations, often erroneously described as 'compaction'. Recent data, however, support differential rates of growth of the trabecular and compact layers as the major driver of change. Here, these processes were assessed quantitatively and visualized in standardized views. We used a larger dataset than has previously been available of mouse hearts, covering the period from embryonic day 10.5 to postnatal day 3, supported by images from human hearts. The volume of the trabecular layer increased throughout development, in contrast to what would be expected had there been 'compaction'. During the transition from embryonic to fetal life, the rapid growth of the compact layer diminished the proportion of trabeculations. Similarly, great expansion of the central cavity reduced the proportion of the total cavity made up of intertrabecular recesses. Illustrations of the hearts with the median value of left ventricular trabeculation confirm a pronounced growth of the compact wall, with prominence of the central cavity. This corresponds, in morphological terms, to a reduction in the extent of the trabecular layer. Similar observations were made in the human hearts. We conclude that it is a period of comparatively slow growth of the trabecular layer, rather than so-called compaction, that is the major determinant of the changing morphology of the ventricular walls of both mouse and human hearts.

• Klíčová slova
• cardiac morphogenesis, compaction, excessive trabeculation, heart development, ventricular trabeculation,
• MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• srdeční komory * anatomie a histologie   embryologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Whether the forelimb-digging apparatus of tooth-digging subterranean mammals has similar levels of specialization as compared to scratch-diggers is still unknown. We assessed the scapular morphology and forelimb musculature of all four solitary African mole rats (Bathyergidae): two scratch-diggers, Bathyergus suillus and Bathyergus janetta, and two chisel-tooth diggers, Heliophobius argenteocinereus and Georychus capensis. Remarkable differences were detected: Bathyergus have more robust neck, shoulder, and forearm muscles as compared to the other genera. Some muscles in Bathyergus were also fused and often showing wider attachment areas to bones, which correlate well with its more robust and larger scapula, and its wider and medially oriented olecranon. This suggests that shoulder, elbow, and wrist work in synergy in Bathyergus for generating greater out-forces and that the scapula and proximal ulna play fundamental roles as pivots to maximize and accommodate specialized muscles for better (i) glenohumeral and scapular stabilization, (ii) powerful shoulder flexion, (iii) extension of the elbow and (iv) flexion of the manus and digits. Moreover, although all bathyergids showed a similar set of muscles, Heliophobius lacked the m. tensor fasciae antebrachii (aiding with elbow extension and humeral retraction), and Heliophobius and Georychus lacked the m. articularis humeri (aiding with humeral adduction), indicating deeper morphogenetic differences among digging groups and suggesting a relatively less specialized scratch-digging ability. Nevertheless, Heliophobius and Bathyergus shared some similar adaptations allowing scratch-digging. Our results provide new information about the morphological divergence within this family associated with the specialization to distinct functions and digging behaviors, thus contributing to understand the mosaic of adaptations emerging in phylogenetically and ecologically closer subterranean taxa. This and previous anatomical studies on the Bathyergidae will provide researchers with a substantial basis on the form and function of the musculoskeletal system for future kinematic investigations of digging behavior, as well as to define potential indicators of scratch-digging ability.

• Klíčová slova
• African mole‐rats, chisel‐tooth digger, convergence, fossorial adaptations, muscle anatomy, scapula, scratch‐digger,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

We report avian cervical vertebrae from the Quercy fissure fillings in France, which are densely covered with villi-like tubercles. Two of these vertebrae stem from a late Eocene site, another lacks exact stratigraphic data. Similar cervical vertebrae occur in avian species from Eocene fossils sites in Germany and the United Kingdom, but the new fossils are the only three-dimensionally preserved vertebrae with pronounced surface sculpturing. So far, the evolutionary significance of this highly bizarre morphology, which is unknown from extant birds, remained elusive, and even a pathological origin was considered. We note the occurrence of similar structures on the skull of the extant African rodent Lophiomys and detail that the tubercles represent true osteological features and characterize a distinctive clade of Eocene birds (Perplexicervicidae). Micro-computed tomography (μCT) shows the tubercles to be associated with osteosclerosis of the cervical vertebrae, which have a very thick cortex and much fewer trabecles and pneumatic spaces than the cervicals of most extant birds aside from some specialized divers. This unusual morphology is likely to have served for strengthening the vertebral spine in the neck region, and we hypothesize that it represents an anti-predator adaptation against the craniocervical killing bite ("neck bite") that evolved in some groups of mammalian predators. Tuberculate vertebrae are only known from the Eocene of Central Europe, which featured a low predation pressure on birds during that geological epoch, as is evidenced by high numbers of flightless avian species. Strengthening of the cranialmost neck vertebrae would have mitigated attacks by smaller predators with weak bite forces, and we interpret these vertebral specializations as the first evidence of "internal bony armor" in birds.

• Klíčová slova
• Aves, adaptation, evolution, fossil birds, morphology,
• MeSH
• biologická evoluce * MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• krční obratle anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• ptáci * anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• rentgenová mikrotomografie MeSH
• savci MeSH
• zkameněliny MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Although the term articularis cubiti muscle is incorporated in the official anatomical nomenclature, only sparse data about its appearance are available. It is usually described as few fibres originating from the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle and inserting to the capsule of the elbow joint. However, the most recent observations regarding the morphological relations in the posterior elbow region point towards the absence of a well-defined muscle. Therefore, this study was designed to verify the existence of the articularis cubiti muscle in question and to compile more data on the topographical features of the subtricipital area near the posterior aspect of the elbow. To address these questions, 20 embalmed upper limbs were dissected, and seven samples were collected for histological analysis. The laboratory findings were then correlated with 20 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the elbow. Consequently, a narrative review of literature was performed to gain more information on the discussed muscle in a historical context. Upon the anatomical dissection, muscular fibres running from the posterior aspect of the shaft of the humerus to the elbow joint capsule and olecranon were identified in 100% of cases. Histologically, the connection with the joint capsule was provided via winding bands of connective tissue. On MRIs, the muscular fibres resembled a well-demarcated thin muscle located underneath the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle. Combined with the review of literature, we concluded that the constant articularis cubiti muscle originates from the posterior shaft of the humerus and attaches indirectly to the posterior aspect of the elbow joint capsule and directly to the superior portion of the olecranon. The obtained results slightly differ from the modern description, but are in agreement with the original publication, which has become misinterpreted throughout time. Presumably, the misused description has led to questioning the existence of an independent muscle. Moreover, our findings attribute to the articularis cubiti muscle, a function in pulling on the posterior aspect of the elbow joint capsule to prevent its entrapment, and possibly also a minor role in extension of the forearm. The presented results should be taken into consideration when intervening with the posterior aspect of the elbow joint because the articularis cubiti muscle poses a consistently appearing landmark.

• Klíčová slova
• Lecomte's pronator of ulna, anconeus muscle, articularis cubiti muscle, elbow joint capsule, subanconeus muscle, triceps brachii muscle,
• MeSH
• horní končetina MeSH
• kosterní svaly * diagnostické zobrazování   anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• loket MeSH
• loketní kloub * diagnostické zobrazování   anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Vertebral bodies are composed of two types of metameric elements, centra and arches, each of which is considered as a developmental module. Most parts of the teleost vertebral column have a one-to-one relationship between centra and arches, although, in all teleosts, this one-to-one relationship is lost in the caudal fin endoskeleton. Deviation from the one-to-one relationship occurs in most vertebrates, related to changes in the number of vertebral centra or to a change in the number of arches. In zebrafish, deviations also occur predominantly in the caudal region of the vertebral column. In-depth phenotypic analysis of wild-type zebrafish was performed using whole-mount stained samples, histological analyses and synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy 3D reconstructions. Three deviant centra phenotypes were observed: (i) fusion of two vertebral centra, (ii) wedge-shaped hemivertebrae and (iii) centra with reduced length. Neural and haemal arches and their spines displayed bilateral and unilateral variations that resemble vertebral column phenotypes of stem-ward actinopterygians or other gnathostomes as well as pathological conditions in extant species. Whether it is possible to distinguish variations from pathological alterations and whether alterations resemble ancestral conditions is discussed in the context of centra and arch variations in other vertebrate groups and basal actinopterygian species.

• Klíčová slova
• developmental modules, evolution and development, skeleton, vertebrae, zebrafish,
• MeSH
• dánio pruhované * MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• páteř * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The alteration in mechanical properties of posterior pelvis ligaments may cause a biased pelvis deformation which, in turn, may contribute to hip and spine instability and malfunction. Here, the effect of different mechanical properties of ligaments on lumbopelvic deformation is analyzed via the finite element method. First, the improved finite element model was validated using experimental data from previous studies and then used to calculate the sensitivity of lumbopelvic deformation to changes in ligament mechanical properties, load magnitude, and unilateral ligament resection. The deformation of the lumbopelvic complex relative to a given load was predominant in the medial plane. The effect of unilateral resection on deformation appeared to be counterintuitive, suggesting that ligaments have the ability to redistribute load and that they play an important role in the mechanics of the lumbopelvic complex.

• Klíčová slova
• elasticity, finite element method, hip-spine syndrome, lumbopelvic transition, pelvic ligaments, sacroiliac joint,
• MeSH
• analýza metodou konečných prvků MeSH
• biomechanika MeSH
• kloubní ligamenta MeSH
• ligamenta MeSH
• pánev * MeSH
• sakroiliakální kloub * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Vagal afferents regulate numerous physiological functions including arterial blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and nociception. Cell bodies of vagal afferents reside in the inferior vagal (nodose) ganglia and their stimulation by various means is being considered as a way to regulate cardiorespiratory responses and control pain sensations. Stimulation of the nodose by exposure to infrared light is recently being considered as a precise way to elicit responses. These responses would likely involve the activity of temperature-sensitive membrane-bound channels. While papers have been published to track the expression of these transient receptor potential ion channels (TRPs), further studies are warranted to determine the in situ expression of the endogenous TRP proteins in the nodose ganglia to fully understand their pattern of expression, subcellular locations, and functions in this animal model. TRP ion channels are a superfamily of Na+ /Ca2+ -channels whose members are temperature- and/or mechano-sensitive and therefore represent a potential set of proteins that will be activated directly or indirectly by infrared light. Here, we report the spatial localization of six TRP channels, TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM3, TRPM8, TRPA1, and TRPC1, from nodose ganglia taken from juvenile male Sprague-Dawley rats. The channels were detected using immunohistology with fluorescent tags on cryosections and imaged using confocal microscopy. All six TRP channels were detected with different levels of intensity in neuronal cell bodies and some were also detected in axonal fibers and blood vessels. The TRP receptors differed in their prevalence, in their patterns of expression, and in subcellular expression/localization. More specifically, TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPC1, and TRPM3 were found in vagal afferent cell bodies with a wide range of immunostaining intensity from neuron to neuron. Immunostaining for TRPV1, TRPV4, and TRPA1 appeared as fine particles scattered throughout the cytoplasm of the cell body. Intense TRPV1 immunostaining was also evident in a subset of axonal fibers. TRPM8 and TRPC1 were expressed in courser particles suggesting different subcellular compartments than for TRPV1. The localization of TRPM3 differed markedly from the other TRP channels with an immunostaining pattern that was localized to the periphery of a subset of cell bodies, whereas a scattering or no immunostaining was detected within the bulk of the cytoplasm. TRPV4 and TRPC1 were also expressed on the walls of blood vessels. The finding that all six TRP channels (representing four subfamilies) were present in the nodose ganglia provides the basis for studies designed to understand the roles of these channels in sensory transmission within vagal afferent fibers and in the responses elicited by exposure of nodose ganglia to infrared light and other stimuli. Depending on the location and functionality of the TRP channels, they may regulate the flux of Na+ /Ca2+ -across the membranes of cell bodies and axons of sensory afferents, efferent (motor) fibers coursing through the ganglia, and in vascular smooth muscle.

• Klíčová slova
• TRPA1, TRPC1, TRPM3, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV4, autonomic nervous system, blood vessels, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, nodose ganglion, vagus nerve,
• MeSH
• ganglion inferius metabolismus   MeSH
• kationtové kanály TRP * metabolismus   MeSH
• kationtové kanály TRPM * metabolismus   MeSH
• kationtové kanály TRPV MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• nervus vagus metabolismus   MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kationtové kanály TRP * MeSH
• kationtové kanály TRPM * MeSH
• kationtové kanály TRPV MeSH
• TRPM3 protein, rat MeSH Prohlížeč
• Trpv4 protein, rat MeSH Prohlížeč

The anatomy of the biceps brachii muscle has been a subject of interest to many researchers. In particular, the presence of one or more accessory heads has been reported to be the most common variation of the biceps brachii muscle. In fact, contemporary knowledge is quite inconsistent and lacks a definitive summary. Taking this into account, the present study aims to investigate the overall prevalence of the accessory heads and related questions, such as their broad morphological features, population variance, sexual dimorphism, side distribution or the changes in prevalence rates over time. A literature search of major scientific databases was conducted and produced 78 eligible articles, including 10,603 upper limbs, for our study. Relevant data were extracted and consequently analysed with the use of random-effects meta-analysis. As a result, the accessory heads occur with an overall prevalence of 9.6% (95% CI 8-11%) and by far the most common is the presence of a single accessory head (8.4%; 95% CI 7-10%). Additional sub-analyses revealed that accessory heads appear more frequently unilaterally and in males. Differences between the occurrence on the right or left side were not significant. Moreover, a decreasing trend in prevalence rates over time was observed, pointing towards an evolutionary adaptation. The innervation and blood supply of the accessory heads are nearly identical to that of the normal biceps brachii muscle. Although the accessory heads are usually asymptomatic, their potential presence must be kept in mind while interpreting various conditions. In addition, their direct clinical importance is speculated and is thought that they might be conductive to several pathological processes around the shoulder girdle and brachial region. While many of the morphological and morphometric aspects of the accessory heads are well documented, their functional value is still a matter for future investigations.

• Klíčová slova
• accessory head, biceps brachii muscle, supernumerary head, third head,
• MeSH
• horní končetina MeSH
• kosterní svaly * anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• organogeneze MeSH
• paže * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• metaanalýza MeSH
• systematický přehled MeSH

Skeletal developmental anomalies (SDA) are a subject of constant interest across scientific disciplines, but still mostly as isolates and curiosities. The aim of this study was to find out to what extent the occurrence of SDA reflects documented biological relationships. The skeletal remains of 34 individuals with known genealogical data were available, members of one family over four generations (19th to 20th centuries, Bohemia, Czech Republic), including some inbred individuals. The occurrence of 89 SDA was assessed on the basis of scopic morphological evaluation and X-ray and CT examinations. The degree of similarity between individuals was calculated using a "similarity coefficient" (SC). A linear model was used to test the relationship between positive values of the SC and the relatedness of biologically related individuals. Simultaneously, based on population frequencies of the evaluated anomalies, those that could be considered familial were recorded. A statistically significant relationship between morphological similarity and the biological distance between individuals was found. The greatest similarity was found among close relatives such as parents and children, siblings, or grandparents and grandchildren. The effect of increased consanguinity on the occurrence of anomalies was not confirmed, however. Seventeen SDA shared by closely related individuals were found in the sample, supporting the documented family relationships among them. Eleven of these were selected as possibly familial, but only five were statistically significant: an elongated styloid process, a cervical block vertebrae (arch, facet joints), hamate hamulus aplasia, anteater nose sign, and incomplete fusion of the S1 spinous process. There were also 28 cases of individual occurrences of 17 different SDA, without connection to the documented relationships between individuals.

• Klíčová slova
• biodistance, heredity, inbreeding, ossification, similarity coefficient,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• krční obratle * MeSH
• krk MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• spánková kost MeSH
• tělesné pozůstatky * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Middle meningeal vessels, dural venous sinuses, and emissary veins leave imprints and canals in the endocranium, and thus provide evidence of vascular patterns in osteological samples. This paper investigates whether craniovascular morphology undergoes changes in craniosynostotic human skulls, and if specific alterations may reflect structural and functional relationships in the cranium. The analyzed osteological sample consists of adult individuals with craniosynostoses generally associated with dolichocephalic or brachycephalic proportions, and a control sample of anatomically normal adult skulls. The pattern and dominance of the middle meningeal artery, the morphology of the confluence of the sinuses, and the size and number of the emissary foramina were evaluated. Craniovascular morphology was more diverse in craniosynostotic skulls than in anatomically normal skulls. The craniosynostotic skulls often displayed enlarged occipito-marginal sinuses and more numerous emissary foramina. The craniosynostotic skulls associated with more brachycephalic morphology often presented enlarged emissary foramina, while the craniosynostotic skulls associated with dolichocephalic effects frequently displayed more developed posterior branches of the middle meningeal artery. The course and morphology of the middle meningeal vessels, dural venous sinuses, and emissary veins in craniosynostotic skulls can be related to the redistribution of growth forces, higher intracranial pressure, venous hypertension, or thermal constraints. These functional and structural changes are of interest in both anthropology and medicine, involving epigenetic traits that concern the functional and ontogenetic balance between soft and hard tissues.

• Klíčová slova
• brachycephaly, dolichocephaly, dural venous sinuses, emissary veins, middle meningeal vessels,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• hlava MeSH
• kraniosynostózy * MeSH
• lebka * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• sinus durae matris MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH