Anatomia, Volume 4, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 4 articles

The azygos lobe (AL), an additional lung lobe most commonly found in the right apical lung region, is a rare anatomical variant present in approximately 1% of the population. It is embryological in origin and may form if the azygos vein fails to migrate medially over the lung. While it is normally clinically silent, it can have surgical and clinical implications. An AL can be the source of infection or disease, such as squamous cell carcinoma, and can also compress the upper lobe and lead to obstruction, infarction, and necrotic tissue. Additionally, it can present as an unforeseen surgical obstacle, specifically during a thoracotomy, and can be mistaken for a thoracic mass on radiographic imaging, potentially leading to unnecessary interventions. In this case report, a 38-year-old male donor with a history of Ogilvie’s syndrome, multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and chronic respiratory failure presented with an AL during routine donor dissection. The cause of death was listed as prostate cancer, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and type II diabetes mellitus. The AL, located on the posterior apical surface of the right lung, measured 5 cm in width and 8 cm in length. The left lung showed signs of atrophy and discoloration, possibly the result of pollution exposure or smoking earlier in life. In this article, we describe the incidence, historical classification, embryology, and physiology associated with an AL and its clinical implication for this donor. Full article

Background: Lower phylogenetic species are known to rebuild cut-off caudal parts with regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). In contrast, CNS regeneration in higher vertebrates is often attributed to immaturity, although this has never been conclusively demonstrated. The emergence of stem cells and their effective medical applications has intensified research into spinal cord regeneration. However, despite these advances, the impact of clinical trials involving spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients remains disappointingly low. Long-distance regeneration has yet to be proven. Methods: Our study involved a microsurgical dorsal myelotomy in fetal rats. The development of pioneering long primary afferent axons during early gestation was examined long after birth. Results: A single cut triggered the intrinsic ability of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to reprogram. Susceptibility to hypoxia caused the axons to stop developing. However, the residual axonal outgrowth sheds light on the intriguing temporal and spatial events that reveal long-distance CNS regeneration. The altered phenotypes displayed axons of varying lengths and different features, which remained visible throughout life. The previously designed developmental blueprint was crucial for interpreting these enigmatic features. Conclusions: This research into immaturity enabled the exploration of the previously impenetrable domain of early life and the identification of a potential missing link in CNS regeneration research. Central axon regeneration appeared to occur much faster than is generally believed. The paradigm provides a challenging approach for exhaustive intrauterine reprogramming. When the results demonstrate pre-clinical effectiveness in CNS regeneration research, the transformational impact may ultimately lead to improved outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries. Full article

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative MRI has an impact on surgical planning in breast cancer patients. Tumor extent and molecular breast cancer subtypes were evaluated. Methods: This was a single-center study including 137 female patients with a first diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. Each patient had a standard clinical preoperative workup and an additional breast MRI. The interdisciplinary tumor board made written recommendations regarding the surgical therapy of each patient with and without the knowledge of the MRI findings. Results: The addition of MRI led to changes in surgical recommendations in 32 (23%) of the 137 patients. The highest rate of change in surgical therapy recommendations was observed in patients with multifocal tumors (53%). Molecular subtype had no influence on the changes in surgical therapy recommendations (p = 0.8). Conclusions: Patients with multifocal breast tumors were more likely to have a change in surgical therapy following MRI. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study explores the ocular anatomy and glandular components of domestic dogs compared to their ancestor, the wolf, with the aim of identifying evolutionary changes due to domestication and their implications for ocular pathologies. Methods: Utilizing histological and histochemical techniques, including hematoxylin–eosin, Periodic Acid–Schiff, Alcian Blue, and lectins, this research conducts a detailed analysis of the canine and wolf ocular systems, focusing on the eyelids, tarsal glands, and conjunctival tissues. Results: There are marked histological differences between the two species, particularly in the thickness and secretion levels of the conjunctival epithelia and the structure of the tarsal glands. Dogs exhibit a thicker epithelium with greater Periodic Acid–Schiff and Alcian Blue positive secretion, suggesting enhanced ocular protection and lubrication adapted to domestic environments. Conversely, wolves display more concentrated glandular secretions and a predominance of acidic mucopolysaccharides, aligning with their adaptation to natural habitats. Conclusions: Although this study is constrained by the limited number of samples, the use of mixed dog breeds, and the focus on the Iberian wolf, it nonetheless suggests histological and evolutionary differences between domestic dogs and wolves, particularly in structures related to ocular surface protection and lubrication. These differences likely reflect adaptive responses to domestication in dogs and environmental demands in wolves. Importantly, the findings emphasize the clinical and translational potential of using dogs as comparative models for human ocular surface disorders, given their anatomical proximity to humans. Full article