Anatomy & Physiology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Situs Inversus Totalis (Dextroversion) - An Anatomical Study

Sharada Sharma, Chaitanya KK and Suseelamma D

A female, dead abortus was studied in detail for academic interest. Detailed study revealed Situs inversus totalis. By this study an anatomical, embryological exploration for reverse organogenesis is proposed. Situs inversus totalis with dextrocardia was detected incidentally in an aborted foetus in routine dissection kept for research work in Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, narketpally. The term Situs inversus is a short form of the Latin phrase “Situs inversus viscerum”, meaning inverted position of the internal organs. The Situs inversus totalis is a rare syndrome, with an estimated prevalence of 1/10,000 births, characterized by the inverted position of the thoracic and abdominal organs with respect to the sagittal plane. Situs inversus totalis, a not so uncommon congenital positional anomaly can be a diagnostic problem at times. The condition affects all major structures within the thorax and abdomen. Surgeons and radiologists should be aware of this anomaly, during preoperative and surgical management. Routine premedical examination helps the patient to be aware of his condition, thereby preventing wrong diagnosis possibly death due to delay in surgical management.