title: A reappraisal of adult thoracic and abdominal surface anatomy in Iranians in vivo using computed tomography.
abstract: Surface anatomy is a core component of human anatomy in clinical practice. It allows clinicians to assess patients accurately and quickly; however, recent studies have revealed variability among individuals and ethnicities. The aim of this study is to investigate possible variations in adult thoracic and abdominal surface anatomy landmarks in an Iranian population. This study used 100 thoracoabdominal CT scans (mean age: 47 ± 17 years, age range: 20-77 years, 47% females), noted the most common locations of clinically relevant surface markings, and analyzed correlations between these variables and age or gender. While many common surface markings in Iranians were consistent with the evidence-based literature, there were some differences. In relation to the corresponding segments of the vertebral column, the superior vena cava formation and the lower border of the pleura adjacent to the vertebral column and right kidney tended to be at higher levels in adult Iranians than a Caucasian population. There were also discrepancies between the Iranian population and commonly-referenced medical textbooks and recent evidence-based literature concerning the vertebral levels of the diaphragmatic openings of the esophagus, aorta, and inferior vena cava. This study emphasizes the need to consider evidence-based reappraisals of surface anatomy to guide clinical practice. Much of our current knowledge of surface anatomy is based on older studies of cadavers rather than living people, and does not take ethnic and individual variations into consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy with Radiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Shilpan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Hashemi Taheri
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Raana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eftekhari Vaghefi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naybandi Atashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy with Radiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: S Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mirjalili
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013909:Thorax / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cross-sectional anatomy; ethnic groups; surface anatomy