NEET MDS Lessons
Anatomy
Veins of the Face
The Supratrochlear Vein
- This vessel begins on the forehead from a network of veins connected to the frontal tributaries of the superficial temporal vein.
- It descends near the medial plane with its fellow on the other side.
- These veins diverge near the orbits, each joining a supraorbital vein to form the facial vein near the medial canthus (angle of the eye).
The Supraorbital Vein
- This vessel begins near the zygomatic process of the temporal bone.
- It joins the tributaries of the superficial and middle temporal veins.
- It passes medially and joins the supratrochlear vein to form the facial vein near the medial canthus.
The Facial Vein
- This vein provides the major venous drainage of the face.
- It begins at the medial canthus of the eye by the union of the supraorbital and supratrochlear veins.
- It runs inferoposteriorly through the face, posterior to the facial artery, but takes a more superficial and straighter course than the artery.
- Inferior to the margin of the mandible, the facial vein is joined by the anterior branch of the retromandibular vein.
- The facial veins ends by draining into the internal jugular vein.
The Superficial Temporal Vein
- This vein drains the forehead and scalp and receives tributaries from the veins of the temple and face.
- In the region of the temporomandibular joint, this vein enters the parotid gland.
The Retromandibular Vein
- The union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins forms this vessel, posterior to the neck of the mandible.
- It descends within the parotid gland, superficial to the external carotid artery but deep to the facial nerve.
- It divides into an anterior branch that unites with the facial vein, and a posterior branch that joins the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein.
The Palate
- The palate forms the arched roof of the mouth and the floor of the nasal cavities.
- The palate consists of two regions: the anterior 2/3 or bony part, called the hard palate, and the mobile posterior 1/3 or fibromuscular part, known as the soft palate.
The Hard Palate
- The anterior bony part of the palate is formed by the palatine process of the maxillae and the horizontal plates of the palatine bones.
- Anteriorly and laterally, the hard palate is bounded by the alveolar processes and the gingivae.
- Posteriorly, the hard palate is continuous with the soft palate.
- The incisive foramen is the mouth of the incisive canal.
- This foramen is located posterior to the maxillary central incisor teeth.
- This foramen is the common opening for the right and left incisive canals.
- The incisive canal and foramen transmit the nasopalatine nerve and the terminal branches of the sphenopalatine artery.
- Medial to the third molar tooth, the greater palatine foramen pierces the lateral border of the bony palate.
- The greater palatine vessels and nerve emerge from this foramen and run anteriorly into two grooves on the palate.
- The lesser palatine foramen transmits the lesser palatine nerve and vessels.
- This runs to the soft palate and adjacent structures.
The Superior Roof of the Orbit
- The superior wall or roof of the orbit is formed almost completely by the orbital plate of the frontal bone.
- Posteriorly, the superior wall is formed by the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone.
- The roof of the orbit is thin, translucent, and gently arched. This plate of bone separates the orbital cavity and the anterior cranial fossa.
- The optic canal is located in the posterior part of the roof.
Cardiac Muscle
Fibres anastomose through cross bridges
Fibres are short, connected end to end at intercalated discs, also striated, contract automatically
Light microscopic Structure:
Short fibres connected at intercalated disks, 85 - 100 µm long, 15 µm
same bands as in skeletal muscle, 1 or 2 nuclei - oval and central, in perinuclear area is a sarcoplasmic reticulum, intercalated discs lie at the Z line
Electron microscopic structure:
Between myofibrils lie the mitochondria, 2,5 µm long mitochondria, dense cristae
and are as long as the sarcomere, fibres have more glycogen than skeletal muscle fibres
myofilaments, actin and myosin are the same as in skeletal muscle, the sarcoplasmic reticulum differs in that there is no terminal sisterna. The sarcotubules end in little feet that
sit on the T-tubule
Intercalated Disc:
on Z lines, fibres interdigitate,
3 types of junctions in the disc
Transverse Part:
zonula adherens
desmosomes
Lateral Part:
Gap junctions (nexus) - for impulse transfer
Mechanism of Contraction:
slide - ratchet like in skeletal muscle, certain fibres are modified for conduction, Impulses spread from cell to cell through gap junctions, Purkinje cells are found in the AV bundle
they have less myofibrils, lots of glycogen and intercalated discs
Connective tissue coverings:
Only endomycium in cardiac muscle, Blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves lie in the endomycium
Appendicular Skeleton
Upper extremity
• Shoulder-clavicle and scapula
Clavicle
Articulates with the manubrium at the sternal end
Articulates with the scapula at the lateral end
Slender S-shaped bone that extends horizontally across the upper part of the thorax
Scapula
Triangular bone with the base upward and the apex downward
Lateral aspect contains the glenoid cavity that articulates with the head of the humerus
Spine extends across the upper part of the posterior surface; expands laterally and
forms the acromion (forms point of shoulder)
Coracoid process projects anteriorly from the upper part of the neck of the scapula
Arm (humerus)
Consists of a shaft (diaphysis) and two ends (epiphyses)
Proximal end has a head that articulates with the glenoid fossa of the scapula
Greater and lesser tubercles lie below the head
Intertubercular groove is located between them; long tendon of the biceps attaches here
Surgical neck is located below the tubercles
o Radial groove runs obliquely on the posterior surface; radial nerve is located here
o Deltoid muscles attaches in a V-shaped area in the middle of the shaft. called the deltoid tuberosity
Distal end has two projections. the medial and lateral epicondyles
Capitulum-articulates with the radius
Trochlea-articulates with the ulqa
Forearm
Radius
Lateral bone of the forearm
Radial tuberosity is located below the head on the medial side
Distal end is broad for articulation with the wrist: has a styloid process on its lateral side
Ulna
Medial side of the forearm
Conspicuous part of the elbow joint (olecranon)
Curved surface that articulates with the trochlea of the humerus is the trochlearnotch
Lateral ide is concave (radial notch); articulates with the head of the radius Distal end contains the styloid process
Distal end contains the styloid process
Hand
Carpal bones (8)
Aranged in two rows of four
Scaphoid. lunate. triquetral. and pisiform proximal row); trapezium. trapezoid.
capitate. and hamate (distal row)
Metacarpal bones (5)
Framework of the hand
Numbered 1 to 5 beginning on the lateral side
Phalanges (14)
Fingers
Three phalanges in each finger; two phalanges in the thumb
Extrinsic Muscles of the Tongue (p. 746)
The Genioglossus Muscle
- This is a bulky, fan-shaped muscle that contributes to most of the bulk of the tongue.
- It arises from a short tendon from the genial tubercle (mental spine) of the mandible.
- It fans out as it enters the tongue inferiorly and its fibres attach to the entire dorsum of the tongue.
- Its most inferior fibres insert into the body of the hyoid bone.
- The genioglossus muscle depresses the tongue and its posterior part protrudes it.
The Hyoglossus Muscle
- This is a thin, quadrilateral muscle.
- It arises from the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone and passes superoanteriorly to insert into the side and inferior aspect of the tongue.
- It depresses the tongue, pulling its sides inferiorly; it also aids in retrusion of the tongue.
The Styloglossus Muscle
- This small, short muscle arises from the anterior border of the styloid process near its tip and from the stylohyoid ligament.
- It passes inferoanteriorly to insert into the side and inferior aspect of the tongue.
- The styloglossus retrudes the tongue and curls its sides to create a trough during swallowing.
The Palatoglossus Muscle
- Superior attachment: palatine aponeurosis.
- Inferior attachment: side of tongue.
- Innervation: cranial part of accessory nerve (CN XI) through the pharyngeal branch of vagus (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus.
- This muscle, covered by mucous membrane, forms the palatoglossal arch.
- The palatoglossus elevates the posterior part of the tongue and draws the soft palate inferiorly onto the tongue.
NEUROHISTOLOGY
The nervous system develops embryologically from ectoderm, which forms the neural plate
Successive growth and folding of the plate results in the formation of the primitive neural tube.
The neuroblasts in the wall of the tube differentiates into 3 cell types:
Neurons: conduction of impulses
Neuroglial cells: connective tissue and support of CNS
Ependymal cells: Lines the lumen of the tube.
- Specialized neuro-ectodermal cells which lines the ventricles of the adult brain
- Essentially also a neuroglial cell
Basic Unit = neuron
Exhibits irritability (excitability) and conductivity
A typical neurons consists of:
Cell body : Has nucleus (karyon) and surrounding cytoplasm (perikaryon) which contains organelles cell's vitality
Dendrites: Several short processes
Axon:One large process
Terminates in twig like branches (telodendrons)
May also have collateral branches projecting along its course. These exit at nodes of Ranvier
Axon enveloped in a sheath, and together forms the nerve fiber
Classification:
May be done in different ways, i.e.
Functional = afferent, efferent, preganglionic, postganglionic, etc.
Morphological = shape, processes, etc
A typical morphological classification is as follows
a. Unipolar: Has one process only Not found in man
b. Bipolar (so-called ganglion cell):Has two processes Found in sensory systems, e.g. retina olfactory system
c. Multipolar: Has several process Most common in CNS
Cell bodies vary in shape, e.g. stellate (star) , pyramidal
d. Pseudo-unipolar: Essentially bipolar neurons, but processes have swung around cb and fused with each other. They therefore enter and leave at one pole of the cell.
Typical neuron:
- Has 2 or more dendrites
Close to the cb the cytoplasm of dendrites has Nissl granules as well as mitochondria
Only one axon Arises from axon hillock, Devoid of Nissl granules, Encased in myelin sheath
No additional covering except for occasional foot processes of neuroglial cells
May branch at right angles
Branches at a node of Ranvier is known as a collateral
Ends of axons break up into tree-like branches, known as telodendria
Axons may be short (Golgi Type II) e.g. internuncial long (Golgi Type I) e.g. pyramidal neuron
Nucleus Central position Large and spherical
Chromatin is extended and thus not seen in LM. This allows the nucleolus to be prominent
Cytoplasm (perikaryon)
Surrounds nucleus May be large or small, shape may be round, oval, flattened, pyramidal, etc
Contains aggregates Nissl granules(Bodies) which is also sometimes referred to as rhomboid flakes
aggregation of membranes and cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
numerous ribosomes and polyribosomes scattered between cisternae
(Polyribosome = aggregate of free ribosomes clumped together)
responsible for ongoing synthesis of new cytoplasm and cytoplasmic substances
needed for conduction of impulses
highly active in cell protein synthesis
resultant loss of power to divide which is characteristic of neurons
- Golgi network surrounding nucleus (seen in EM only)
- Fibrils made up of:
- neurofilaments
- microtubules
Tubules involved in:
1. plasmic transport
2. maintenance of cell shape
3. essential for growth and elongation of axons and dendrites
Neurofilament:
1. provide skeletal framework
2. maintenance of cell shape
3. possible role in axonal transport
(Axonal [axoplasmic; plasmic] transport may be antero- or retrograde. Anterograde transport via neurotubules is fast and moves neurotransmitters. Retrograde transport is slow and is the reason why viruses and bacteria can attack and destroy cell bodies. E.g. polio in the ventral columns and syphilis in the dorsal columns).
- Numerous mitochondria
- Neurons lack ability to store glycogen and are dependent for energy on circulating glucose
Impulses are conducted in one direction only
Dendrites conduct towards the cb
Axons conduct away from cb
Synapses:
- Neurons interconnect by way of synapses
- Normally the telodendria of an axon synapse with the dendrites of a succeeding axon
axo-dendritic synapse
This is usually excitatory
- Other types of synapses are:
axo-axonic
May be excitatory and/or inhibitory
axo-somatic
May be excitatory and/or inhibitory
dendrodendritic
Usually inhibitory
- Synapses are not tight junctions but maintain a narrow space the so-called synaptic cleft
- The end of an telodendron is usually enlarged (bouton) and contains many synaptic vesicles,
mitochondrion, etc. Its edge that takes part in the synapse is known as the postsynaptic membrane and no
vesicles are seen in this area
- Synapses may be chemical (as above) or electrical as in the ANS supplying smooth muscle cells subjacent to adjacent fibres
Gray and White Matter of Spinal Cord:
- Gray matter contains:
- cb's (somas) of neurons
- neuroglial cells
- White matter contains:
- vast number of axons
- no cb's
- colour of white matter due to myelin that ensheathes axons
Myelin:
- Non-viable fatty material contains phospholipids, cholesterol and some proteins
- Soluble and not seen in H&E-sections because it has become dissolved in the process, thus leaving empty spaces around the axons
- Osmium tetroxide (OsO4) fixes myelin and makes it visible by staining it black. Seen as concentric rings in cross section
- Myelin sheath (neurolemma) is formed by two types of cells
- Within the CNS by Oligodendrocytes
- On the peripheral neurons system by Schwann cells
- Sheath is formed by being wrapped around the axon in a circular fashion by both types of cells
Neuroglial Cells:
- Forms roughly 40% of CNS volume
- May function as: 1. support
2. nurture ("feeding")
3. maintain
Types of glial cells:
Oligodendrocytes:
- Small dark stained dense nucleus
- Analogue of Schwann cell in peripheral nervous system
- Has several processes which forms internodal segments of several fibres (one cell ensheathes more than one axon)
- Provides myelin sheaths in CNS
- Role in nurturing (feeding) of cells
Astrocytes:
Protoplasmic astrocytes:
- found in gray matter
- round cell body
- large oval nucleus with prominent nucleolus
- large thick processes
- processes are short but profusely branched
- perivascular and perineurial foot processes
- sometimes referred to as mossy fibres
Fibrous Astrocytes:
- found in white matter
- polymorphic cells body
- large oval nucleus
- long thin processes
Microglia:
- Neural macrophages
- smallest of the glial cells
- intense dark stained nucleus
- conspicuously fine processes which has numerous short branches
Cerebral Cortex:
Consists of six layers which are best observed in the cortex of the hippocampus
From superficial to deep:
- Molecular layer:
- Has few cells and many fibres of underlying cells
- Outer granular layer:
- Many small nerve cells
- Pyramidal layer:
- Pyramidally-shaped cells bodies
- Inner granular layer:
- Smaller cells and nerve fibres
- Internal (inner) pyramidal layer:
- Pyramidal cells bodies
- Very large in the motor cortex and known as Betz-cells
- Polymorphic layer:
- Cells with many shapes
Cerebellar Cortex:
Consists of three layers
Connections are mainly inhibitory
From superficial to deep
- Outer molecular layer:
- Few cells and many fibres
- Purkinje layer:
- Huge flask-shaped cells that are arranged next to one another
- Inner granular layer:
- Many small nerve cells
Motor endplate:
Seen in periphery on striated muscle fibres
- known as boutons
- has no continuous myelin covering from the Schwann cells
- passes through perimysium of muscle fiber to "synapse"
- multiple synaptic gutter (fold) in sarcoplasma of muscle fiber beneath bouton
- contains numerous synaptic vesicles and mitochondria
Ganglia:
- Sensory Ganglia:
(e.g. trigeminal nerve, ganglia and dorsal root ganglia)
- No synapse (trophic unit)
- pseudo-unipolar neurons
- centrally located nucleus
- spherical smooth border
- conspicuous axon hillock
- Surrounded by cuboidal satellite cells (Schwann cells)
- Covered by spindle shaped capsular cells of delicate collagen which forms the endoneurium
- Visceral and Motor Ganglia (Sympathetic and Parasympathetic):
- Synapse present
- Ratio of preganglionic: postganglionic fibres
1. Sympathetic 1:30
Therefore excitatory and catabolic
2. Parasympathetic 1:2
Therefore anabolic
Except in Meissner and Auerbach's plexuses where ratio is 1:1000 '2 because of parasympathetic component's involvement in digestion
- Preganglionic axons are myelinated (e.g. white communicating rami)
- Postganglionic axon are non-myelinated (e.g. gray communicating rami)
- small multipolar cell body
- excentrally located nucleus
- Inconspicuous axon hillock
- satellite cells few or absent
- few capsular cells