搜索结果：Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft

To analyse the volumetric dynamics of the maxillary palatal segment (MPS), comprising the palatal shelf and adjacent tissues derived from the maxillary process. Twenty-eight MPSs were delineated in coronal or quasi-coronal histological sections of the heads of 14 human embryos at Carnegie stages (CS) 18-23. These were divided into palatal and juxtapalatal zones and anteroposterior thirds. The MPSs were classified into seven developmental degrees, based on the palatal shelf phases (preprimordial, vertical, and horizontal) and the embryo's CS. The volume of each third was measured, and the percentage of the MPS volume it represented was calculated. The mean percentage of volume in the thirds of the MPSs at the same developmental degree served as the comparison parameter. During the vertical phase, the anterior palatal third exhibited the greatest volume percentage. Its primary growth occurred at the beginning of shelf formation, after which it stabilised. After the palatal elevation (horizontal phase), the percentages of the palatal thirds initially equalised, but later the middle and posterior thirds surpassed the value of the anterior third, with their internal parts increasing significantly, particularly in the posterior third; moreover, the concordance between the opposing sign volumetric changes in neighbouring thirds suggests mesenchymal transfer from the juxtapalatal thirds. The percentage distribution of MPS volume during human embryonic palatogenesis emphasises: (1) stability in the anterior third; (2) expansion in the middle and posterior thirds, particularly in the internal parts, closely linked to the elevation and horizontal progress of the palatal shelf.

although the development of the human wrist ligaments has been studied, to our knowledge, a detailed study of the development of the scapholunate ligament during the embryonic and early fetal period has not been performed. we have analyzed 32 human embryos ranging from 8 to 31 mm of crown-rump length, and 26 fetuses ranging 33-102 mm long. our observations showed that, in Carnegie stage 20 (20 mm), we can observe a mass of mesenchymal tissue between the cartilaginous anlages of the lunate, the scaphoid and the radius, that in stage 22 (22 mm) adopts the shape of a septum that delimits two articular cavities between the radius with respect to the scaphoid and the lunate. In fetuses of 52 mm (week 11) the regression of this septum begins in a dorso-palmar direction and is no longer present in 12-week specimens. Finally, in week 14 the morphology of the scapholunate ligament is similar to the C-shaped configuration described in adult life, with a broader dorsal part, which becomes thinner in its distal part, and forms a condensed proximal band. In most palmar sections, a rest of that septum remains, which could be an indication of the presence of the radioscapholunate ligament. our findings allow us to provide a detailed description of the origin and chronological development of the scapholunate ligament, and these results may be of help in better understanding the etiopathogenesis and the possible clinical and biomechanical implications related to the injury of this anatomical structure.

The anatomy of the dorsal ramus of the cervical spinal nerves (DR C1-C8) is scarce, and the area is described contradictorily. Their growing importance in diagnosing and treating cervical neuropathies and muscle stiffness makes detailed understanding of the nerve topography essential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive and detailed anatomical description of the DR C1-C8, focusing on their branching patterns, anastomoses, and topographic relationships. In 15 anatomic specimens (30 sides), the cervical spine was dissected via a dorsal approach with special attention on the number of main branches of the DR C1-C8, their course, and innervation patterns. As a main result, a distinct intermediate branch of the cervical DR was observed in over 70% of specimens. In addition, communicating branches were found to be present between all segments. As secondary findings, an inconstant bony canal on the atlas for the DR C1 and ligaments between the inferior articular processes separating the medial and intermediate from the lateral branches of the DR were observed. The course of the DR C1-C8 varies due to intersegmental topographical differences, making this region difficult to understand. Exact knowledge of their course and targets is necessary for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Various experimental models are used to evaluate the primary stability of dental implants. A synthetic bone lacks the trabecular structure, while the quality of ex vivo animal bones is very different. This study aimed to identify ex vivo animal bones with bone density and cortical thickness that correspond to those of human bone. Porcine and bovine bone fragments from different regions of the animal body were examined using computed tomography (CT). Hounsfield units (HU) in the inner bone and the thickness of the cortical layer were correlated with Misch's density classification scheme (D1-D5) and with the density and cortical classification of Al-Ekrish. Only the mandibular ramus of pigs met the specifications corresponding to human bone quality types D1/D2. Bone quality type D2 was observed in the bovine iliac crest and femoral heads, with HU in the lower range and cortical thickness not exceeding 2 mm. The inner areas of the bovine rib had an average bone density of 350-700 HU and a cortical thickness of 1.5 mm, corresponding to type D3. The average density of the part of the bovine rib farthest from the spine ranged from 160 to 345 HU, corresponding to bone quality type D4. Only the porcine rib and femur fell within the density range represented by bone quality type D5, with an HU of 0-150. To ensure high accuracy, the HU and compacta thickness for each bone segment used for in vitro implantation research should be determined using a CT device, as the bones of each specimen are different, just as they are in humans. If only an approximate reference is necessary for in vitro experiments, the classification of animal bone regions into different density values, as demonstrated in this study, is appropriate.

For ventricular arrhythmias originating from the left ventricular summit (LVS), the anatomical characteristics of ablation sites may influence lesion formation and ablation outcome. Dissection was performed on 12 swine hearts to investigate anatomical characteristics of the LVS. Radiofrequency ablation was conducted in 17 swine hearts at 6 distinct sites, including the great cardiac vein (GCV), accessible area of the LVS, inaccessible area of the LVS, left coronary cusp (LCC), left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), for the purpose of evaluating ablation lesions. Anatomically, the LVS apex carried a thicker epicardial-fat pad and a thinner myocardial wall than its base. The great cardiac vein/anterior interventricular vein (GCV/AIV) was separated from underlying myocardium by 2.54&#x202f;mm (1.43, 3.86&#x202f;mm) of epicardial fat. Between the LCC and myocardium, a 1.51&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.82&#x202f;mm layer of fibrous tissue was consistently found. Among 263 radiofrequency applications, 29 (11.0&#x202f;%) produced steam pops; 17 of these (58.6&#x202f;%) occurred in the accessible area. Seventy lesions (26.6&#x202f;%) left no discernible myocardial necrosis; the vast majority of these ineffective applications were delivered to the inaccessible area, the accessible area, within the GCV, or on the LCC. Mean lesion depth in the inaccessible area (1.52&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.28&#x202f;mm), accessible area (1.64&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.99&#x202f;mm), GCV (2.16&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.70&#x202f;mm) and LCC (2.60&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.72&#x202f;mm) was significantly shallower than in the LVOT (4.43&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.57&#x202f;mm) or RVOT (4.15&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.52&#x202f;mm) (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). At the apex of the LVS, epicardial fat is thickest and the underlying myocardium thinnest. Consequently, epicardial ablation produces markedly shallower lesion and a significantly higher incidence of steam pop than endocardial ablation.

Gross anatomy education is an essential component of physiotherapy training in several countries. While cadaver dissection is regarded as the gold standard for teaching gross anatomy, its limited availability, coupled with large student populations, restricts hands-on learning. Ultrasound is gaining popularity as a teaching method, but its benefits and challenges have not been thoroughly explored, particularly in physiotherapy curricula. This study explored the benefits and challenges of using ultrasound to teach gross anatomy in the undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted with second-year undergraduate physiotherapy students selected through purposive sampling. Prior to the interviews, the students were invited to attend a two-hour-long ultrasound-based anatomy lecture led by an experienced anatomist. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Ultrasound sessions provided three benefits to physiotherapy students: 1) visualisation of gross anatomical structures in real-time scanning, which allowed students to gain visual comprehension of the subject; 2) increased motivation and interest; and 3) improved students' perception of the clinical relevance of anatomy education. However, two challenges were identified: 1) technical challenges, as students struggled to independently interpret ultrasound images, and 2) resource limitations, with only one ultrasound machine available for use. This study demonstrates the potential of ultrasound to enhance gross anatomy education in the undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum. By integrating ultrasound into anatomy education, educators can provide students with a more engaging and clinically relevant learning experience, ultimately enhancing their preparation for future practices.

Despite increasing awareness of issues related to sex and gender representation in medical education, previous studies have shown that anatomical atlases often present the male body as the default anatomical model, with female bodies more frequently depicted in sex-specific contexts. However, little is known about how such global visual patterns are reflected in atlases officially recommended within national medical curricula. The aim of this study was to assess sex-based representation in anatomical illustrations contained in the most frequently recommended atlases used at Polish medical universities. Based on publicly available syllabi, curricula, and mandatory reading lists from Polish medical faculties, the most commonly recommended atlases were identified. In total, 5293 illustrations from the three most frequently recommended atlases were analyzed. Each image depicting the human body or its parts was classified according to sex (where identifiable), type of illustration, viewing perspective, mode of presentation, and presence of sex-specific anatomical content. Classification was performed manually using a standardized coding sheet; in cases of uncertainty, decisions were made by consensus among three members of the research team. Images depicting male bodies were more frequent (13.5-25.3%) than those depicting female bodies (6.8-10.4%). In most cases (64.0-79.4%), sex could not be determined. Painted anatomical illustrations predominated across the atlases (81.6-95.1%), while sex-specific anatomical content accounted for only 6.4-11.2% of all images, with mammary gland anatomy representing less than 0.5%. Male bodies were more often shown in whole-body views, whereas female bodies were depicted predominantly in association with reproductive organs and mammary gland anatomy. The male-to-female ratio of sex-identifiable images ranged from 2.00 to 2.43. The atlases most commonly used in Polish anatomical education demonstrate a persistent imbalance in sex-based visual representation. Male bodies are depicted more frequently in general anatomical contexts, whereas female bodies appear predominantly in sex-specific illustrations. Such patterns may limit students' exposure to anatomical variability and contribute to the persistence of androcentric norms in medical education. These findings highlight the need for more balanced and context-aware visual resources in anatomy teaching.

Numerous techniques for anterior pelvic fixation exist, however, a novel minimally invasive subcutaneous technique, the Bridging Infix, has been proposed. Although, little is known regarding the risk of injury to anatomical structures in close proximity to the modified implant site. The current study aimed to assess the implant's proximity to adjacent anatomical structures and palpable bony landmarks to ensure secure and safe fixation. An anatomical study was conducted using 50 formalin-fixed cadavers and two fresh-frozen specimens. Dissections were performed to identify and measure the distances between the Bridging Infix implant and critical anatomical structures, including the iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, superficial epigastric vessels, superficial circumflex iliac vessels, spermatic cord, and the femoral neurovascular bundle. Measurements were also taken between these anatomical structures and relevant bony landmarks. When the Bridging Infix was applied following accepted technical guidelines, no surrounding anatomical structures were compromised. The ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves were shielded by the abdominal muscles and located, on average, 48.96 (SD &#xb1; 20.65, range: 10.21-85.26) mm and 31.55 (SD &#xb1; 14.45, range: 7.42-72.89) mm from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), respectively. The spermatic cord showed no signs of compression by the implant. The superficial epigastric vessels occasionally passed through the medial window field area, while the superficial circumflex iliac vessels were found near the ASIS and lateral window. Nevertheless, vessels can be easily cauterized or ligated when necessary, underscoring the importance of surgeons being familiar with these anatomical relations. In this case, the femoral vessels were positioned deep to the implant, with no gross evidence of direct contact or compression. Anatomical structures initially considered to be at risk during the placement of the Bridging Infix were observed to lie at an adequate distance from the fixation point, without macroscopic evidence of implant-related compression. Further studies are required to clinically validate these findings.

A new implant system allows the use of both platform and conical abutments within the same implant design. The aim of this pilot clinical study was to preliminarily describe the marginal bone behaviour associated with these abutment connection designs. A randomized controlled clinical study was initiated to evaluate conical and platform abutments. After successful osseointegration, platform and conical abutments were randomly applied to the implant. Then, all patients were scheduled for clinical follow-up appointments at 6, 12, and 24 months, after the placement of the final restorations. The probing depth and marginal bone level of each implant were measured. A total of 33 patients with 86 dental implants were followed over the 2-year period. At all-time points, the probing depth and marginal bone level of the 45 (52,3%) conical abutment was lower than that of the 41(47.7%) platform abutments. The probing depth in the anterior region is consistently greater than that in the posterior region, while marginal bone level is typically greater in the posterior region compared to the anterior region. The two abutments in this implant system demonstrate good long-term stability across various implant-supported restorations. Notably, the conical abutments are more effective than platform abutments in maintaining the height of peri-implant soft and hard tissues.

This was a preliminary study to investigate a comprehensive comparative evaluation of the head region morphology of Beetal goats and Kajali sheep using gross anatomical, osteometric, radiographic, and computed tomographic data to support species-specific interventions like dehorning, dental procedures, and trauma management. The present study was conducted on 24 heads, comprising 12 Beetal goats and 12 Kajali sheep. Samples were six male and six female animals of each breed, all aged 7-8 months, in good health, and with body weights of 30-45&#x202f;kg, collected from local slaughterhouses and the ILFC of the college. The collected head region samples from goats and sheep were used for gross anatomy, morphometry, radiography, and CT scan in the present study. Beetal goat skulls were elongated, narrow, and dolichocephalic, whereas Kajali sheep skulls were shorter, broader, and ranged from mesaticephalic to brachycephalic types. Distinct species-specific differences were observed in cranial bones. Beetal goats exhibited a pentagonal occipital base, posteriorly placed facial tuberosity, and a consistently present intercondyloid cleft, while Kajali sheep showed a quadrilateral occipital base, premolar-level facial tuberosity, and absence of the cleft. Mandibular variations included a higher frequency of accessory mental foramina in sheep (87.5%) compared to goats (12.5%), and a longer, caudally curved coronoid process in sheep. Osteometric analysis revealed pronounced sexual dimorphism, with 25 cranial parameters significantly differing in Beetal goats and 12 in Kajali sheep. Goats had longer skulls, while sheep had relatively broader skulls, resulting in a higher skull index. Radiographic assessment confirmed morphological differences in craniofacial landmarks and mandibular processes between the two species. CT imaging provided detailed visualization of nasal conchae, paranasal sinuses, cranial and orbital cavities, and auricular structures, while 3D reconstructions highlighted external landmarks, including various skull foramina and facial tuberosity. It is concluded that the anatomical morphology, morphometry, radiography, and CT scan of the head region presented in this study are directly relevant to surgical orientation, regional anesthesia, and trauma management in both species. Data presented in this study aid precise nerve blocks at the infraorbital, mental, and mandibular foramina in both species.

Traditional anatomical education has predominantly depicted the young, healthy, white, male body; a narrow standard that fails to represent human diversity. Current Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives emphasize the need to broaden anatomical representations in education and healthcare. The emerging positivist concept of the morphome offers a promising framework to document and teach morphological variability, especially through advanced imaging and 3D technologies. A systematic scoping review was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science (June 2025) using keywords related to morphome/morphomics, phenome/phenomics, and anatomy. Articles published in English, French, and Italian were screened following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Definitions of morphome and phenome were extracted and analyzed. Expert consensus was sought to generate recommendations. The pedagogical applications of the morphome via virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D printing in anatomy education were reported. Forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 15 (31%) explicitly defined morphome/morphomics, 29 (60%) focused on phenome/phenomics, and 4 (8%) discussed both. The morphome first appeared in 2000, whereas phenome-related publications emerged in the 1990s and expanded markedly after 2010. The morphome was consistently characterised as the complete set of 3D morphological features, while the phenome encompassed all observable traits resulting from genome-environment interactions. Expert recommendations included: (1) developing inclusive morphomic databases and open-access repositories, (2) promoting critical reflection and faculty development in morphomic pedagogy, and (3) implementing diverse morphomes through immersive and assessment-based technologies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic scoping review to elucidate the definitions of the morphome and the phenome, and to explore the implications of the morphome for EDI in anatomy education. Integrating the morphome, particularly through VR/AR and 3D printing, may provide a rigorous, positivist framework for capturing and teaching anatomical diversity, and for advancing EDI principles in anatomy education.

The principles underpinning Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) are seen by many as being essential in contemporary society while others consider it disparaging and claim it can negatively affect meritocracy. In the USA, EDI is referred to as DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity) and appears to be under attack by the present governmental agencies. Indeed, multinational companies and other governments are responding in various ways, including partial compliance and outright resistance. Wherever one stands politically on the matter, the International Federation of Anatomical Associations (IFAA) has promulgated a strong statement of intent concerning the importance of EDI and the IFAA Executive, through its Federative International Committee for Equality and Diversity in Anatomy (FICEDA), has also provided guidelines for EDI based on the results of a survey of the IFAA's member associations. The findings of that survey are presented in this article and show a clear recognition by virtually all member associations of the importance of EDI, while highlighting some areas lacking diversity and inclusivity.

In the late nineteenth century, Lemberg (Lviv) and Graz were important provincial capitals of the Habsburg Empire, sharing common administrative and academic structures. Academic mobility within the empire was high, yet political upheavals of the 20th century caused many prominent scholars to fade from collective memory. This study examines Julius Planer von Plann (1827-1881), whose work significantly influenced the development of anatomical science in present-day Ukraine and Austria. Ukrainian, Polish and Austrian archival sources pertaining to the academic career of Julius Planer von Plann were consulted and contextualized. Julius Planer von Plann was a central figure in nineteenth-century anatomical science in Vienna, Lemberg, and Graz. From 1855-1863, he headed the Department of Descriptive Anatomy at the Medical-Surgical Institute and University of Lemberg, where he emphasized the practical surgical relevance of anatomy and supervised dissections. His research included early observations of blood pigment granules related to intermittent fever (1854) - later linked to malaria - and the first description of liquid-crystal behavior (1861). From 1863 until his death in 1881, Planer founded and directed the first Anatomical Institute in Graz, overseeing teaching, dissection exercises, and the construction of a modern anatomical building, while also contributing to faculty administration. This study positions Julius Planer von Plann as a Central European anatomist, emphasizing his contributions to anatomical education and institutions in Lemberg (Lviv) and Graz, his involvement with emerging biophysical phenomena, and his role in exemplifying transregional academic mobility in the 19th century.

Beyond the well-documented loss of bone volume, the aged skeletal environment is marked by structural decay and the degenerated network of osteocytes, the bone cells responsible for orchestrating bone formation and resorption. Recent findings point towards the loss of mechanosensitivity and thus the 'deafened' adaptive response to mechanical loading as the driver of decreased bone formation. This imbalance results in a net loss of bone mass and, over time, increases skeletal fragility and fracture incidence. Although the responsiveness of bones to mechanical loading is typically diminished with age, newly formed bone during fracture healing remains responsive to mechanical stimulation. To date, the intrinsic quality of the newly formed bone tissue and the embedded osteocytes remain largely unknown. Given that invasive, longitudinal investigations are restricted in human subjects, mouse models serve as indispensable surrogates for researching changes in tissue mechanosensitivity within the context of ageing and regeneration. Combined with recent advances in quantitative histology-based approaches and time-lapsed three-dimensional high-resolution imaging, these models are well suited to address this knowledge gap and to investigate mechanosensitivity at the periosteal, endosteal, and intracortical interfaces. To this end, this work examines the key structural and cellular hallmarks of aged bone in mice, alongside the in vivo experimental models used to investigate the regenerative potential following fracture and the adaptive response to mechanical loading as vibration therapy. Finally, this review proposes that future therapeutic strategies should harness the regenerative process, together with targeted mechanical loading, to rejuvenate the degenerated osteocyte network. In doing so, bone may once again learn to 'listen' to mechanical vibrations and thereby help restore the functional quality of the ageing skeleton.

Heart areas enriched in endings of sensory nerve fibres (NEs) play a role as reflexogenic zones (RZs), where primary afferent signals initiate neural mechanisms controlling heart activity. Distribution, appearance, and chemical phenotypes of cardiac NEs remain under consideration. Study aims to characterise the morphological diversity of NEs in mammalian and human hearts, exposing links between their structural patterns and chemical phenotypes. Hearts from 12 rats, 12 mice, 8 minipigs, 8 bats of two species, and 14 humans of both genders and various ages were used. Intracardiac neural structures were visualised using acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for pan-neuronal, cholinergic, nitrergic, and sensory neuronal markers. Two types of NEs were identified in the examined specimens. First type was flower-spray endings (FS-NEs) scattered both epicardially and endocardially. Epicardial FS-NEs were recurrently observed on ventricular walls of rodents, bats, and mini-pigs, whereas in humans, FS-NEs were found limitedly in atrial endocardium and were desperately larger than in mammalian species. Second type of NEs had a basket-like pattern that wraps around the bodies of cardiac ganglionic cells. Basket-type NEs (B-NEs) were immunoreactive to neuronal markers of typical sensory neurons. Two types of NEs suggests that cardiac RZs involve not only abundant epicardial and endocardial FS-NEs but also B-NEs within intrinsic cardiac ganglia, in which neurons may be directly modulated via afferent nerve fibres comprising B-NEs. The revealed structural organisation of RZs provides an anatomical basis for understanding local sensory-autonomic control of the heart and is relevant for clinical cardiac neuromodulatory interventions.

Despite their rare occurrence, accessory muscles around the ankle joint may lead to chronic ankle pain, compression neuropathies, hindfoot deformities or impingement syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine their prevalence and morphology. A total of 200 lower extremities were included in this given study. The extensor, peroneal, superficial and deep flexor compartments were dissected carefully and assessed regarding the presence of accessory muscles/tendons. In cases of variations, these were evaluated in detail concerning their origins/insertions and course. Distances between the lateral, respectively medial malleolus (depending on the location of the accessory muscle) and the proximal and distal borders of the singular muscle bellies were evaluated. Accessory muscles were present in 12.5% (25/200) of the included specimens (12 female and 11 male body donors). In two individuals, variations were present bilaterally. Muscles were assessed at the medial (accessory flexor digitorum longus & tibiocalcaneus internus), lateral (accessory peroneal, peroneus digiti minimi & peroneus quartus) and ventral (tibioastragalus anticus muscle of Gruber) aspect of the ankle joint. The current study provides an overview on the prevalence of accessory muscles around the ankle. These data may assist surgeons in anticipating the possible intraoperative presence of these variants.

Learner-centered instructional approaches including peer teaching and self-reflection are increasingly used in medical education. This study investigated students' adoption and perceptions of these educational paradigms in a medical school histology course and tried to identify factors that increased students' motivation as well as supported their learning. In histology laboratory sessions, the control group underwent teacher-led instruction, while the experimental group utilized a student-centered design (previews, student slide presentations, feedback and self-reflection). Two questionnaires were used to collect data about undergraduate medical students' opinions and reactions to these teaching paradigms. Summative practical and theoretical examinations were used as the basis for assessing both groups' learning outcomes. Compared to the control group, students in the experimental group showed improvements in several areas, especially learning preparatory behaviors and thinking skills. Among the areas surveyed, the two items with the greatest difference were active observation of histology slides and the understanding of structure-function relationships. A thematic analysis of student responses indicated that learners valued knowledge, analytical thinking skills, and identifying their own shortcomings. A survey of students' motivation to adopt the new learning design revealed that 92.2% were interested in developing their professional skills in the subject, which was higher than their motivation for a better academic performance (76.5%). No significant differences in summative histology examination scores were found. These findings suggest that a multifaceted approach to histology teaching that includes peer instruction, teacher feedback, and self-reflection can improve students' histology laboratory learning behavior, thinking and motivation.

The individual identification of sheep is critically important for herd management, health monitoring, and record accuracy. The limitations of traditional identification methods-such as ear tags, markings, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-have accelerated the adoption of image-based biometric approaches. In recent years, deep learning-based facial identification systems have emerged as a prominent alternative in modern livestock management due to their contactless, fast, and user-friendly nature. Despite these advances, studies focusing specifically on individual sheep identification remain limited, and systematic comparisons of modern architectures and ensemble strategies are still scarce. To address this gap, this study reconstructs an existing dataset for individual sheep identification and systematically evaluates state-of-the-art deep learning architectures and ensemble approaches. A dataset originally developed for breed classification was reconstructed for individual sheep face identification. After data cleaning, the dataset comprised 1680 facial images from 172 unique sheep. To increase data diversity, comprehensive augmentation strategies were applied, expanding the dataset to 14,810 images. Sixteen deep learning architectures-including EfficientNet (B0, B1, B2, B3, B5), DenseNet (121, 169, 201), MobileNet (V2, V3-Small, V3-Large), ResNet50, InceptionV3, NASNetMobile, Xception, and VGG16-were evaluated under both baseline and fine-tuned configurations. Based on the fine-tuned results, the three highest-performing models were selected to develop three ensemble approaches, namely Soft Ensemble, Weighted Ensemble, and Stacked Ensemble. In addition, a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) was implemented to support practical sheep identification from user-uploaded images. Under baseline configurations, EfficientNetB1, EfficientNetB2, and DenseNet201 achieved identification accuracies of 85.0&#x202f;%, 84.5&#x202f;%, and 87.7&#x202f;%, respectively. After fine-tuning, substantial performance improvements were observed, with accuracies increasing to 91.3&#x202f;% for EfficientNetB1, 91.0&#x202f;% for EfficientNetB2, and 90.7&#x202f;% for DenseNet201. Using these fine-tuned models, ensemble strategies further enhanced identification performance. The Soft Ensemble achieved an accuracy of 92.4&#x202f;%, the Weighted Ensemble reached 92.6&#x202f;%, and the Stacked Ensemble achieved the highest accuracy of 93.7&#x202f;%. The developed GUI enabled fast and intuitive verification of user-uploaded face images, supporting real-time on-farm identification workflows. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of modern deep learning architectures for individual sheep face identification and demonstrates that fine-tuning significantly improves model performance. Furthermore, the proposed Stacked Ensemble approach achieves the highest and most balanced identification performance among all evaluated methods. The results confirm that facial biometrics, supported by ensemble-driven deep learning and a practical GUI, offer a reliable and scalable solution for livestock identification. Future work will focus on expanding the dataset, improving robustness across diverse farm environments, and optimizing the framework for real-time deployment on resource-constrained edge devices.

The tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) is a crucial dynamic stabilizer of the medial longitudinal arch, facilitating midfoot locking and efficient propulsion during gait. While the navicular and cuneiforms are well-established distal insertion sites, an additional posterior band inserting onto the sustentaculum tali-historically termed ramus sustentacularis-has been inconsistently described and never histologically verified. Twenty lower limbs from adult cadavers (mean age 81.7&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;8.6 years; 8 female) were dissected using a standardized protocol. The distal TPT and its sustentacular band were exposed, and the width of the ramus sustentacularis was measured. Representative samples were processed for histological analysis to assess tissue composition and the tendon-bone interface. A distinct posterior band of the TPT inserting onto the anterior surface of the sustentaculum tali was present in all specimens. The band's mean width was 13.9&#x202f;mm (range 10-17&#x202f;mm), with no variation by sex or laterality. Histology confirmed dense, longitudinally oriented collagen fibers with parallelly arranged fibrocyte nuclei and no vascular or inflammatory features, consistent with mature tendon tissue. This study provides the first histological confirmation of the ramus sustentacularis as a true tendinous structure and a constant component of the TPT's distal footprint. Its consistent presence suggests an overlooked role in hindfoot stabilization and adult-acquired flatfoot deformity pathomechanics. Classical anatomical descriptions should be updated to include the sustentacular band as a standard element of the TPT.