CADAVERIC STUDY

The cadaveric study was carried out on two male cadavers available in the P. G. Dept. of
Rachana Sharir, Rishikul Campus Haridwar, to study the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the
back and adjacent structure of vertebral column for gathering relevant data required to explain
the structures elaborated in Ayurveda related to Pristhavamsha.

MATERIALS-

✓ Chemicals – Formalin, spirit, arsenic trioxide, potassium carbonate, lead oxide,

hydrogen per oxide.

✓ Pump – To inject preservation fluid.

✓ Instruments - Scalpel handle, surgical blade, blunt scalpel, artery forceps, simple
forceps, pointed forceps, toothed forceps and saw.

✓ Surgical gloves and mask.

Incision and further dissection procedure were based on the Cunningham’s manual of practical
anatomy volume 1.

We have marked the following points for dissection

I. External occipital protuberance

II. Acromion end of scapula
III. Spine of 7th cervical vertebrae
IV. Spine of 12th thoracic vertebrae
V. Lower border of deltoid tuberosity
VI. Crest of tubercle (iliac crest)

METHOD-

55
 1. Dead body was cleaned through water and H2O2. Then preservation fluid was injected
through the left femoral artery.
2. after injecting the fluid, Body was left for 10 days. (For the absorption of fluid in tissue
and cellular level).

DISSECTION OF BACK:

3. An incision was made from the external occipital protuberance of the skull to the spine
of last thoracic vertebrae (T12) in a midline.
4. Another oblique incision was made on the base of the 12th thoracic vertebrae to lower
end of deltoid tuberosity of humerus, which was present on the lateral surface about
middle of arm.
5. Another horizontal incision was made from base of seventh cervical vertebrae to
acromion end of scapula.
6. An incision was made from base of 12th thoracic vertebrae to 2nd sacral spine in
midline. And a curve incision made from midpoint of both posterior superior iliac spine
to iliac crest till the tubercle.
7. After all incision, skin of back was reflected laterally, and the superficial fascia
removed from deep fascia. Then after deep fascia also removed. After removing
superficial and deep fascia. We found cutaneous nerve of back, cutaneous nerve are
derived from dorsal rami of spinal nerve.
8. In the back up to T6 we got the medial branch of dorsal rami made cutaneous nerve,
and below the T6 the lateral branch of dorsal rami made the cutaneous nerve, we got
that the erector spine muscle, the medial and lateral branch both branch of dorsal rami
was giving supply the muscles. in lumber region the cutaneous branch emerged by
upper three lumber vertebrae dorsal rami of lumber nerve.
9. Then we have seen the superficial muscle of back trapezius in upper back and
latissimus dosri, which was below the trapezius. We cut trapezius 5 cm lateral to mid
line and cut it down also seen the superficial branch of transverse cervical vessels and
accessory (11th) nerve which was deep to trapezius. and also cut the latissimus dorsi
muscle and Removed latissimus dorsi muscle from its attachment from thoracolumbar
and iliac crest and then cut out.

56
10. We have seen anatomical feature on back “The triangle of auscultation” was bounded
by superiorly and medially by the inferior fibres of the trapezius, inferiorly by superior
fibres of the latissimus dorsi and superiorly and laterally by medial border of scapula.
And in lower back we have seen” The lumber triangle” was bounded Inferiorly by iliac
crest margins of two muscles latissimus dorsi posteriorly and external oblique
anteriorly.
11. After reflecting these muscles, then Levator Scapule, Rhomboideus major and minor
are above downward and were reflect out. These muscles were deep to trapezius
muscle. We also seen the dorsal scapular nerve which supplied these muscles along
with medial border of scapula and deep branch of transverse cervical artery.
12. After removing these muscles, the serratus posterior superior which was aponeurosis
and serratus posterior inferior a (quadrilateral shape muscle seen and it was situated at
the junction of the thoracic and lumber region) reflected out.
13. The true back muscle or intrinsic muscle are seen the most superficial muscle in the
neck is the splenius capitis and cervicis. Cut the splenius one-half inch from its
attachment to the vertebral spines and reflect laterally.
14. Now erector spine group of muscles seen which attached below to the ilium, sacrum
and lumbar spinous processes and above to ribs and vertebrae. The muscle has been
divided into three columns the lateral most iliocostalis the intermediate was
longissimus and the innermost spinalis, and each column subdivided by region. This
group of muscle innervate by both medial and lateral branch of dorsal rami of spinal
nerve.
15. Deep to the erector spinae in the groove between the transverse and spinous processes
of the vertebrae identified the transversspinal muscles. These muscles extended the
vertebral column and rotate the trunk to the opposite side
16. Deep to erector spine muscle we seen transvers spinalis muscles. Which was hard to
distinguished from spinalis muscles of erector spinals group.
17. Now the muscles transversspinal group were seen and reflect out.
18. Now the Anterior, posterior longitudinal ligament, supraspinatus and ligamental
flavum were seen. From back and deep to posterior abdominal wall.
19. Now the venous and arterial plexus were seen along with posterior longitudinal
ligaments.
20. From deep to posterior abdominal wall the lumber plexus were seen with its ventral
branches emerged from intervertebral foramen.

57
 21. Now separate one of vertebrae and its vertebral body and arch were studies along with
ligaments.

With this the cadaveric study of thoracic and lumber region was completed.

1- From Cunnigham
2- From BDC
3- From dissector

Cunniggham’s manual of practical anatomy volumne one by G.J romnaes,

oxford medical publication.

B.D churasia human antomy volumne one seventh edition,CBS publication &
distribututors.

58