Variation of anatomy

Question 1

How does anatomy vary? (5)

Answer 1

-Size, age, sex, GIT contents and positioning

Question 2

What is an important factor to remember about anatomical variation?

Answer 2

We need to consider if what we are viewing is normal variation or abnormal.

Question 3

What factors do we need to consider when considering normal/abnormal patient variation?

Answer 3

-Age, sex, contents, medical history, potential pathology

Question 4

Age can affect the composition of which body parts and how do they change with age?

Answer 4

• Breast composition (dense in youth, fatty with age)

- Brain Structure -shrinkage with age, reduction in convolutions (gyri and sulci)

Question 5

How does sex influence anatomical variations?

Answer 5

• Females have larger bladders
• Male trachea and sternum are larger
• Female clavicles are short, thin, and less curved
• The male larynx has an upper prominence

Question 6

What causes the largest variation in patient anatomy?

Answer 6

Gastrointestinal tract conents

e.g- stomachs crossing midline or extending inferiorly or the transverse colon dropping inferiorly

Question 7

Does bladder capacity cause variation in anatomy?

Answer 7

Yes (size and shape will change)

Question 8

When would we take an image of someone who has completely normal anatomy?

Answer 8

• To confirm they don’t have something wrong
• Monitoring
• Medico-legal procedure
• trials