From a Passive Conduit to Highly Dynamic Organ. What are the Roles of Uterine Tube Epithelium in Reproduction?

It is well known that the mammalian uterine tube (UT) plays a crucial role in female fertility, where the most important events leading to successful fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development occur. The known functions of these small intra-abdominal organs are: an uptake and transport of oocytes; storage, transportation, and capacitation of spermatozoa, and finally fertilization and transport of the fertilized ovum and early embryo through the isthmus towards the uterotubal junction. The success of all these events depends on the interaction between the uterine tube epithelium (UTE) and gametes/embryo. Besides that, contemporary research revealed that the tubal epithelium provides essential nutritional support and the most suitable environment for early embryo development. Moreover, recent discoveries in molecular biology help understand the role of the epithelium at the cellular and molecular levels, highlighting the factors involved in regulating the UT signaling, that affects different steps in the fertilization process. According to the latest research, the extracellular vesicles, as a major component of tubal secretion, mediate the interaction between gametes/embryo and epithelium. This review aims to provide up-to-date knowledge on various aspects concerning tubal epithelium activity and its cross-talk with spermatozoa, oocytes and preimplantation embryo and how these interactions affect fertilization and early embryo development.

Arterial Blood Supply of the Mesosalpinx Appears Segmentally Organized in Absence of Uterine Tubes Arteries

Arterial branches to the uterus and ovaries that pass through the mesosalpinx contribute significantly to the maintenance of the ovarian reserve. Especially arterial supply of the uterine tube is provided by a number of anastomoses between both the uterine and ovarian vessels. Knowledge on the morphologic peculiarities will allow to identify main contributors especially blood flow ultrasound examination for the purpose of ovary preserving surgery. This study aimed at identifying landmarks especially for so-called low-flow tubal vessels. Arteries of 17 female Thiel-embalmed bodies were studied along three preselected paramedian segments and measurements taken. A section was made through the center of the ovary perpendicular to uterine tube, then the mesosalpinx tissue distance was divided into 3 equivalent zones: upper, middle and lower thirds. The surface area of the mesosalpinx averaged 1088 ± 62 mm2. 47.7 ± 7.1 % of the mesosalpinx zones included macroscopically visible vessels. The lower third segment of mesosalpinx was the thickest averaging 2.4 ± 1.5 mm. One to three tubal branches were identified in the middle third of the mesosalpinx. Arterial anastomoses were found in the upper segment of the mesosalpinx, but no presence of a marginal vessel supplying the fallopian tube could be found. Statistically significant moderate positive correlations were established between the diameters of the mesosalpingeal arteries between the three zones. The mesosalpinx, uterine tube and the ovary form areas of segmental blood supply. Variants of tubal vessels appear to be a sparse source of blood supply.

Fabrication and In Vitro Characterization of Novel Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds 3D Printed Using Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Thermoplastic Binder

This paper presents a proof-of-concept study on the biocolonization of 3D-printed hydroxyapatite scaffolds with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Three-dimensional (3D) printed biomimetic bone structure made of calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) intended as a future bone graft was made from newly developed composite material for FDM printing. The biopolymer polyvinyl alcohol serves in this material as a thermoplastic binder for 3D molding of the printed object with a passive function and is completely removed during sintering. The study presents the material, the process of fused deposition modeling (FDM) of CDHA scaffolds, and its post-processing at three temperatures (1200, 1300, and 1400 °C), as well it evaluates the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of scaffolds with MTT and LDH release assays after 14 days. The study also includes a morphological evaluation of cellular colonization with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in two different filament orientations (rectilinear and gyroid). The results of the MTT assay showed that the tested material was not toxic, and cells were preserved in both orientations, with most cells present on the material fired at 1300 °C. Results of the LDH release assay showed a slight increase in LDH leakage from all samples. Visual evaluation of SEM confirmed the ideal post-processing temperature of the 3D-printed FDM framework for samples fired at 1300 °C and 1400 °C, with a porosity of 0.3 mm between filaments. In conclusion, the presented fabrication and colonization of CDHA scaffolds have great potential to be used in the tissue engineering of bones.

Pierre Robin Sequence and 3D Printed Personalized Composite Appliances in Interdisciplinary Approach

This paper introduces a complex novel concept and methodology for the creation of personalized biomedical appliances 3D-printed from certified biocompatible photopolymer resin Dental LT Clear (V2). The explained workflow includes intraoral and CT scanning, patient virtualization, digital appliance design, additive manufacturing, and clinical application with evaluation of the appliance intended for patients with cranio-facial syndromes. The presented concept defines virtual 3D fusion of intraoral optical scan and segmented CT as sufficient and accurate data defining the 3D surface of the face, intraoral and airway morphology necessary for the 3D design of complex personalized intraoral and extraoral parts of the orthopedic appliance. A central aspect of the concept is a feasible utilization of composite resin for biomedical prototyping of the sequence of marginally different appliances necessary to keep the pace with the patient rapid growth. Affordability, noninvasiveness, and practicality of the appliance update process shall be highlighted. The methodology is demonstrated on a particular case of two-year-old infant with Pierre Robin sequence. Materialization by additive manufacturing of this photopolymer provides a highly durable and resistant-to-fracture two-part appliance similar to a Tübingen palatal plate, for example. The paper concludes with the viability of the described method and material upon interdisciplinary clinical evaluation of experts from departments of orthodontics and cleft anomalies, pediatric pneumology and phthisiology, and pediatric otorhinolaryngology.

Dental Care and Education Facing Highly Transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Prospective Biosafety Setting: Prospective, Single-Arm, Single-Center Study

With the arrival of the highly transmissible Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5), dentistry faces another seasonal challenge to preserve the biosafety of dental care and education. With the aim of protecting patients, students, teachers and healthcare professionals, this paper introduces a prospective sustainable biosafety setting for everyday dental care and education. The setting developed by dental clinicians, epidemiologists, and teachers of dentistry consists of a combination of modern technologies focused on the air-borne part of the viral pathway. The introduced biosafety setting has been clinically evaluated after 18 months of application in the real clinical environment. The protocol has three fundamental pillars: (1) UVC air disinfection; (2) air saturation with certified virucidal essences with nebulizing diffusers; (3) complementary solutions including telehealth and 3D printing. A pseudonymous online smart form was used as the evaluation method. The protocol operates on the premise that everybody is a hypothetical asymptomatic carrier. The results of a clinical evaluation of 115 patient feedbacks imply that no virus transmission from patient to patient or from doctor to nurse was observed or reported using this protocol, and vice versa, although nine patients retrospectively admitted that the clinic visit is likely to be infectious. Despite these promising results, a larger clinical sample and exposition to the current mutated strains are needed for reliable conclusions about protocol virucidal efficiency in current dental environments.

Human Remains Identification Using Micro-CT, Chemometric and AI Methods in Forensic Experimental Reconstruction of Dental Patterns after Concentrated Sulphuric Acid Significant Impact

(1) Teeth, in humans, represent the most resilient tissues. However, exposure to concentrated acids might lead to their dissolving, thus making human identification difficult. Teeth often contain dental restorations from materials that are even more resilient to acid impact. This paper aims to introduce a novel method for the 3D reconstruction of dental patterns as a crucial step for the digital identification of dental records. (2) With a combination of modern methods, including micro-computed tomography, cone-beam computer tomography, and attenuated total reflection, in conjunction with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence convolutional neural network algorithms, this paper presents a method for 3D-dental-pattern reconstruction, and human remains identification. Our research studies the morphology of teeth, bone, and dental materials (amalgam, composite, glass-ionomer cement) under different periods of exposure to 75% sulfuric acid. (3) Our results reveal a significant volume loss in bone, enamel, dentine, as well as glass-ionomer cement. The results also reveal a significant resistance by the composite and amalgam dental materials to the impact of sulfuric acid, thus serving as strong parts in the dental-pattern mosaic. This paper also probably introduces the first successful artificial intelligence application in automated-forensic-CBCT segmentation. (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation, utilizing the mentioned technologies, can solve the problem of human remains identification with a 3D reconstruction of dental patterns and their 2D projections over existing ante-mortem records.

Proapoptotic and antiapoptotic stimuli alternation in myocardial infarction experimental model

Myocardial infarction is a life-threatening complication of the coronary artery disease - the leading cause of premature death worldwide. The severity of this condition is the result of cellular death following the myocardial ischaemia, which occurs via several mechanism including apoptosis. For the research of this condition, animal models are often employed. We established isoprenaline-induced rat model of myocardial infarction, focusing on the immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of antiapoptotic and proapoptotic proteins BCL-2 and BAX, respectively. Apoptosis (based on BAX-positivity) was activated in cardiac muscle cells within the first day, later on day 8 also in fibroblasts of the forming scar tissue. Antiapoptosis in cardiac muscle cells was weak to moderate on the day 1 and 2, on the day 8 macrophages were strongly positive for BCL-2. The results confirmed that programmed cell death as well as mechanisms of antiapoptosis contribute to the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. Previous research demonstrated that by experimentally affecting proapoptotic and antiapoptotic signals, it is possible to influence various aspects of myocardial infarction including: infarction size, cardiac remodelling and prognosis of the heart failure. Future research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of this process during myocardial infarction, which will result in refined diagnostic and therapeutic strategies (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 21). Keywords: myocardial infarction, isoprenaline, apoptosis, necrosis, BCL-2, BAX.

Agenesis of female internal reproductive organs, the Mayer- Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is the most common cause of uterine and uterine tubes absence/underdevelopment and the second most common cause of primary amenorrhea. It is characterized by a congenital agenesis of the uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, and upper part of the vagina. This study presents our 10 years of experience with the diagnostics and therapeutic management of patients with MRKH syndrome. We also focused on the description of anatomical deviations of the female reproductive organs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied a cohort of 16 patients hospitalized with MRKH syndrome between 2011-2020. We analysed the age at diagnosis, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic techniques, methods of neovagina creation, and anatomical anomalies of the female reproductive organs.

RESULTS

The mean age of our patients at the time of diagnosis was 16.75 years. The most frequent clinical manifestations were primary amenorrhea (56.25 %), pelvic pain (31.25 %) and coitus-associated problems. We used two methods of neovagina creation. In six patients we used the non-surgical Frank's dilators method. The vaginal length at the beginning of the dilation was 1.5-2 cm. In 4 patients the vaginal length was under 1 cm, so we performed surgical neovagina creation using the laparoscopic Vecchietti method. An-other two patients could create the vagina via regular sexual intercourse. Based on magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound examination, the following anomalies were observed: complete agenesis of the uterus (50 % of cases), fibrous band (25 %) and rudimentary uterus (25 %).

CONCLUSIONS

Satisfactory results in the attempt to create a neovagina can be obtained by both non-surgical and surgical methods. Modern medicine provides many therapeutic measures, which make it possible for the affected women to have a normal sexual life (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 37).

Artificial Intelligence in Orthodontic Smart Application for Treatment Coaching and Its Impact on Clinical Performance of Patients Monitored with AI-TeleHealth System

BACKGROUND

Treatment of malocclusion with clear removable appliances like Invisalign^® or Spark™, require considerable higher level of patient compliance when compared to conventional fixed braces. The clinical outcomes and treatment efficiency strongly depend on the patient's discipline. Smart treatment coaching applications, like strojCHECK^® are efficient for improving patient compliance.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of computerized personalized decision algorithms responding to observed and anticipated patient behavior implemented as an update of an existing clinical orthodontic application (app).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Variables such as (1) patient app interaction, (2) patient app discipline and (3) clinical aligner tracking evaluated by artificial intelligence system (AI) system-Dental monitoring^® were observed on the set of 86 patients. Two 60-day periods were evaluated; before and after the app was updated with decision tree processes.

RESULTS

All variables showed significant improvement after the update except for the manifestation of clinical non-tracking in men, evaluated by artificial intelligence from video scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of application update including computerized decision processes can significantly enhance clinical performance of existing health care applications and improve patients' compliance. Using the algorithm with decision tree architecture could create a baseline for further machine learning optimization.

Use of Advanced Artificial Intelligence in Forensic Medicine, Forensic Anthropology and Clinical Anatomy

Three-dimensional convolutional neural networks (3D CNN) of artificial intelligence (AI) are potent in image processing and recognition using deep learning to perform generative and descriptive tasks. Compared to its predecessor, the advantage of CNN is that it automatically detects the important features without any human supervision. 3D CNN is used to extract features in three dimensions where input is a 3D volume or a sequence of 2D pictures, e.g., slices in a cone-beam computer tomography scan (CBCT). The main aim was to bridge interdisciplinary cooperation between forensic medical experts and deep learning engineers, emphasizing activating clinical forensic experts in the field with possibly basic knowledge of advanced artificial intelligence techniques with interest in its implementation in their efforts to advance forensic research further. This paper introduces a novel workflow of 3D CNN analysis of full-head CBCT scans. Authors explore the current and design customized 3D CNN application methods for particular forensic research in five perspectives: (1) sex determination, (2) biological age estimation, (3) 3D cephalometric landmark annotation, (4) growth vectors prediction, (5) facial soft-tissue estimation from the skull and vice versa. In conclusion, 3D CNN application can be a watershed moment in forensic medicine, leading to unprecedented improvement of forensic analysis workflows based on 3D neural networks.

Variant Anatomy and Its Terminology

Variant anatomy, which is an integral part of anatomical science, is related to abnormalities in the human body structure. Our understanding of variant anatomy is based on thousand years of anatomical experience. These abnormalities generally do not interfere with the function of the human body and do not typically manifest as pathological nosological units. However, under certain conditions, these abnormalities can worsen existing pathological states or even evoke new ones. Understanding variant anatomy is a basic skill not only of mere anatomists, but also of clinicians who work in fields involving both diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions. To gain and retain a good knowledge of the most frequent and clinically relevant anatomical variations, a simple, clear, and exactly defined nomenclature of variant structures is needed. A list of items comprising variant anatomy, which have been incorporated into the internationally accepted nomenclatures Terminologia Anatomica (1998) and Terminologia Neuroanatomica (2017), is described and analyzed. Examples of the most common anatomical variations related to terminology are mentioned, and variant anatomy as a whole and its role in understanding current anatomy are discussed.

Hirschsprung's Disease-Recent Understanding of Embryonic Aspects, Etiopathogenesis and Future Treatment Avenues

Hirschsprung's disease is a neurocristopathy, caused by defective migration, proliferation, differentiation and survival of neural crest cells, leading to gut aganglionosis. It usually manifests rapidly after birth, affecting 1 in 5000 live births around the globe. In recent decades, there has been a significant improvement in the understanding of its genetics and the association with other congenital anomalies, which share the pathomechanism of improper development of the neural crest. Apart from that, several cell populations which do not originate from the neural crest, but contribute to the development of Hirschsprung's disease, have also been described, namely mast cells and interstitial cells of Cajal. From the diagnostic perspective, researchers also focused on "Variants of Hirschsprung's disease", which can mimic the clinical signs of the disease, but are in fact different entities, with distinct prognosis and treatment approaches. The treatment of Hirschsprung's disease is usually surgical resection of the aganglionic part of the intestine, however, as many as 30-50% of patients experience persisting symptoms. Considering this fact, this review article also outlines future hopes and perspectives in Hirschsprung's disease management, which has the potential to benefit from the advancements in the fields of cell-based therapy and tissue engineering.

The Syndrome of Elongated Styloid Process, the Eagle's Syndrome-From Anatomical, Evolutionary and Embryological Backgrounds to 3D Printing and Personalized Surgery Planning. Report of Five Cases

Background and Objectives: The symptoms of Eagle's syndrome are associated with the elongated styloid process of the temporal bone or calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. The first mention of pain syndrome associated with the elongated styloid process dates back to 1937, when it was described by Watt Weems Eagle. Over the last decade, experts in the field have shown a lively interest in the issue of the relationship between the elongated styloid process and various symptoms. This article presents the correlation between the clinical signs of Eagle's syndrome and alterations in surrounding anatomical structures. It includes a brief review of the evolutionary, embryological and clinical anatomical background of the elongated styloid process. Materials and Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, five patients were admitted to our workplace with 1-3-year history of bilateral or unilateral throat pain, otalgia and pharyngeal foreign body sensation. As a therapeutic novelty in the surgical approach to this condition, we used individual 3D printed models to measure and identify the exact location of the resection of the styloid process without damaging the surrounding anatomical structures, such as the facial, accessory, hypoglossal, and vagal nerves; the internal jugular vein; and the internal carotid artery. Results: Compared to traditional surgical methods without 3D models, 3D models helped to better identify cutting edges and major landmarks used in surgical treatment of Eagle's syndrome. Printed models provided assistance with the exact location of the styloid process resection position without damaging the surrounding anatomical structures such as the facial, accessory, hypoglossal, and vagal nerves; the internal jugular vein; and the internal carotid artery. Conclusion: In our clinical report, we used 3D printed models for navigation and planning during surgical procedures involving resections of the elongated styloid process. Additionally, we can formulate a new hypothesis: the elongated styloid process is a form of atavism of the bony hyoid apparatus in our evolutionary ancestors that is evolutionarily encoded or arises from disrupted degeneration of the middle portion of embryonal Reichert´s cartilage of the second pharyngeal arch. Under normal conditions, this portion does not ossify but degenerates and transforms into a connective tissue band, the future stylohyoid ligament.

Impaired histomorphology might provoke cell cycle regulators alteration in thymus of children with various congenital heart defects

Thymus, as a primary site of appropriate adaptive immunity formation, is an essential organ in face of a self-tolerance as well as a potential menace from impairment of body integrity. Due to vital selection processes during differentiation and maturation of T lymphocytes, control over cell survival and programmed cell death must be orchestrated in detail. Indeed, thymus is highly sensitive to wide spectrum of stressors that initiate acute structural changes. Hypoxia, one of the most common complications in congenital heart defects (CHDs) patients, provokes stress-induced thymus involution. Disrupted embryolonic development of thymus in association with congenital heart defects, may negatively affect physiological immune mechanisms. We propose that detailed analysis of thymic morphology could critically contribute to unveil the pathophysiology of diseases associated with disrupted adaptive immunity in children with heterogeneous congenital heart diseases.

Trnka Vaclav - Central European Anatomist and Medical Polymath of the Eighteenth Century

Vaclav Trnka from Křovice (1739-1791, in Latin: Wenzel Trnka Krzowitz) was a remarkable physician whose life serves as an example in the history of medicine by connecting major capital cities of Central Europe. In view of current geographical layout, he was born and brought up in the Czech Republic, graduated from University of Vienna in Austria, and was appointed Professor of the Anatomy at the newly established Faculty of Medicine of University of Nagyszombat, presently Trnava in Slovak Republic. When the University moved to Buda and later to Pest (today Budapest, Hungary), he was the first educator to introduce anatomy as a medical subject to be taught in a Hungarian medical school. He also was elected the Dean of Faculty of Medicine three times and in 1786-1787 he acted as Rector of then the Royal University of Pest. During his life, he published twenty-seven monographs dealing with different areas of clinical medicine, such as malaria (intermittent fever), diabetes, and rickets. Based on these monographs we can proclaim that Václav Trnka was a co-founder of modern infectology, diabetology and ophthalmology in Central Europe. Nowadays, artificial intelligence and bioinformatics are inseparable parts of modern health care system which help the transformation of big data into valuable knowledge. In the 18th century, Professor Trnka owned more than 3,000 scientific books and had natural, innate intelligence and wisdom which made him a real "medical polymath". As a musician, Trnka also composed sixty-one canons, two of them long wrongly considered as Mozart's work. Despite the fact that Trnka is considered to be the founder of Hungarian anatomy education and a major medical figure of the eighteenth century Central Europe, no internationally acclaimed biographical record of his life or work has so far been published in English. Therefore, we would like to reintroduce Václav Trnka both as an anatomist and medical polymath, and to give an overview of the early days of anatomy teaching in present-day Slovakia and Hungary (Fig. 1, Ref. 27). Keywords: Trnka from Křovice, anatomist, medical polymath, history of medicine.

Ectopic lamellar Pacinian corpuscle within the thymus. Atypical or abnormal location?

Lamellar (Pacinian) corpuscle is a cutaneous encapsulated sensory corpuscle, mainly functioning as a rapidly adapting low-threshold mechanoreceptor with characteristic "onion skin"-like appearance. Even though the Pacinian corpuscle is typically located in the skin, histomorphologically and confirmed by using immunohistochemical methods, we have identified it within the interstitium of the thymus of a newborn with congenital heart defect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such account ever to be published. The structure of the thymic Pacinian corpuscle was the same as the Pacinian corpuscle in the skin. The ectopic thymic Pacinian corpuscle can be hypothetically explained as the consequence of impaired migration of neural crest cells, since neural crest-derived cells play an important role in the development of the Pacinian corpuscle, as well as the thymus and heart. In general, the occurrence of ectopic Pacinian corpuscle in different organs is rare. In the scientific literature, there are reports of its sporadic presence in the pancreas, in the lymph nodes, inside the prostate and the urinary bladder wall. Our report presents the first described case of the Pacinian corpuscle in a heterotopic location in the thymus. Similar to other incidental findings of this anatomic structure, explanation of its ectopic development, as well as its local function remains only speculative.

Fertility maintenance in male oncological patients: current state and future perspectives

Growing cancer incidence in reproductive age goes hand in hand with a rising survival rate of patients who underwent anticancer therapy. This trend points to the necessity of discussion regarding the fertility maintenance. The patient´s future with respect to his reproductive ability has to be addressed properly to achieve a complex approach to cancer management. The germinal epithelium of the testes is highly susceptible to deleterious effects of chemotherapy. After the administration of gonadotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, a patient can develop oligospermia, or even azoospermia. Similarly, radiation exposure can damage spermatogenesis, while higher doses lead to azoospermia. This review brings an overview of the methods of assisted reproduction, which are currently in use for fertility maintenance in oncological patients, but also in those with non-malignant indications. Also, novel, yet still experimental, methods are discussed, which represent promising technologies applicable to prepubertal oncological patients. We also discuss historical milestones in the development of assisted reproduction, summarize the options of semen analysis, and we present a practical guide through the process of sperm cryopreservation and subsequent in vivo or in vitro fertilisation. We deem that fertility maintenance should be an integral part of the health care in oncological patients in reproductive age (Tab. 1, Ref. 85). Keywords: assisted reproduction technique, sperm cryopreservation, testicular tissue cryopreservation, spermatogenesis, sperm quality in oncological patients.

Bioengineered Scaffolds as Substitutes for Grafts for Urethra Reconstruction

Urethral defects originating from congenital malformations, trauma, inflammation or carcinoma still pose a great challenge to modern urology. Recent therapies have failed many times and have not provided the expected results. This negatively affects patients' quality of life. By combining cells, bioactive molecules, and biomaterials, tissue engineering can provide promising treatment options. This review focused on scaffold systems for urethra reconstruction. We also discussed different technologies, such as electrospinning and 3D bioprinting which provide great possibility for the preparation of a hollow structure with well-defined architecture.

A plea for extension of the official nomenclature of the microscopic structure of human tissues and organs, the Terminologia Histologica

BACKGROUND

At first sight, the issue of terminology in morphological sciences may seem as "closed and changeless chapter", as many of the structures within the human body have been known for centuries. However, the exact opposite is true. Terminologia Histologica: International Terms for Human Cytology and Histology published under the Federative International Programme on Anatomical Terminology in 2008 is a new standard in human cell and tissue terminology. The list of items in the first and still valid official nomenclature of cellular and tissue structures, the Terminologia Histologica (TH), is the best and most extensive of all the histological nomenclatures ever issued.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aim of this article is a systematic and in-depth analysis of the current internationally accepted nomenclature TH, with focus on important histological structures which are missing in this first edition. Some should be incorporated just for the sake of completeness and consistence, others are purely absent terms for individual structures or some are recently described new tissue structures.

RESULTS

We also discuss about a question, how to deal with the issue of eponyms. Eponyms reflect medicine's rich and colourful history. Although they have not been considered official terms in the anatomical nomenclature since 1955, they are still widely used in clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope that this opinion article will develop a wide scientific discussion before the publication of the second edition, so perhaps the mentioned minor flaws will be corrected, so the new edition of the TH will become truly an internationally accepted communication tool for all histologists, histopathologists and anatomists.

Sentinel lymph node - historical background and current views on its significance in complex management of breast cancer patients

Nowadays, breast cancer is the leading oncological diagnosis in women worldwide. On the other hand, breast cancer treatment can be considered one of the most progressive therapeutic approach in the medical field of oncology. The invasive types of breast cancer have a tendency to spread via lymphatic route, what brings in the issue of sentinel lymph node - the first node into which the lymph drains from a given anatomical location. This review paper discusses the historical background of the concept of sentinel lymph node and focuses on clinical significance of the positivity of sentinel lymph node(s) as well. Modern-day conservative therapeutic surgery of breast cancer should be in accordance with diagnostic and preventive interventions in the axilla, whose rate of invasiveness and morbidity must be also attenuated without worsening the patient´s prognosis and survival rate. Formerly, a complete axillary lymph node dissection was routinely performed for prophylactic and cancer staging purposes. The indiscriminate application of this approach was replaced by sentinel lymph node biopsy. Along with common histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry, as well as modern techniques of molecular biology are often employed. These state-of-the-art methods enabled the identification of micrometastases, or even nanometastases, though their real prognostic value is yet to be concluded (Ref. 52). Keywords: sentinel node, breast cancer, biopsy, historical background.