Varus

VARUS (Latin), a term opposite to the term valgus and used to denote the curvature of a limb inward, i.e., the bend of the limb goes toward the midline of the body and the angle is open in the same direction. By this term

Figure 1. Coxa vara.

is more often called a curvature arising in the bones or near the joints or within them themselves, which is why the curvature of the limbs inward is usually denoted by the word varus and the name of the joint near which the curvature occurred. Such a form of curvature on the limbs is encountered very often, especially in the form of congenital deformities, but it can also develop for other reasons. - Cubitus varus - a curvature in the elbow joint, consisting of an abnormal adduction of the forearm toward the ulnar side. It is encountered rarely, usually after improperly healed fractures. - Coxa vara - a curvature of the neck of the femur, consisting of the fact that the neck is, as it were, bent toward the shaft of the femur and forms an angle with it of less than 120°, which in this deformity sometimes reaches a right angle (see Figure 1). Such a relationship between the neck and the femur creates a position of constant adduction of the hip. - Genu varum - a curvature in which the lower leg is abnormally adducted toward the midline, due to which an angle open inward is formed between the thigh and the lower leg (see Figure 2). With such bilateral curvature, O-shaped legs occur, i.e., when standing with the ankles tightly together, the knees do not meet by a wide margin; it is encountered less often than genu valgum (see Knee joint). - Crus varum develops due to the curvature of the bones of the lower leg inward, such that the angle is open toward the midline. With bilateral curvature, O-shaped legs also occur; it develops more often on the basis of rickets. - Pes varus - a deformity of the foot consisting of the deviation and curvature of the foot inward (supination) (see Fig. 3). The deformity is more often congenital; pes varus is encountered very often (see also Clubfoot). T. Zatsepin.

Figure 3. Pes varus.

VASILYEV'S METHOD of preparing transparent anatomical specimens is, in essence, a certain modification of the well-known original method of Spalteholz, which consists of the fact that if an anatomical specimen is immersed in a mixture of essential oils having the same refractive index as the tissues of the specimen, then the specimen becomes transparent, because the rays pass through without refracting through the essential oil and the specimen. According to the indicated method, the specimen is fixed with formalin or alcohol, or mercuric chloride. If the specimen contains

bones, decalcification is necessary in a 1-5% solution of HCl for 1-4 weeks or more, depending on the size of the object. After washing in distilled water, it is dehydrated in absolute alcohol. Then it is passed through benzene (change 2-3 times) and placed in a clearing mixture, which includes essential oils with the following refractive indices: Oleum Gaultheriae (Wintergreen oil) - 1.538, Benzyl benzoate - 1.570, and Isosafrol - 1.577. Within the indicated limits of the refractive indices of the oils are all the tissues of humans and some animals. Knowing the refractive index of the tissue of a given object, it is easy to compose a suitable clearing mixture for the specimen. For the convenience of the worker, Spalteholz provides a ready-made scale of mixtures for all kinds of anatomical specimens (see Spalteholz's method).