Author(s)

Ndeye Bigué Mar^1*, Magaye Gaye², Sokhna Astou Gawane Thiam², Issa Dior Seck², Racky Wade², Mamadou Ndiaye², Daouda Tireira², Aïnina Ndiaye², Philippe Manyacka Ma Nyemb³, Jean Marc Ndiaga Ndoye², Mamadou Diop², Ablaye Ndiaye², Assane Ndiaye^4,5

¹UFR of Health Sciences, Iba Der Thiam University of Thiès, Thiès, Senegal.
²Anatomy and Organogenesis Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine UCAD, Dakar, Senegal.
³UFR of Health Sciences, Gaston BERGER University, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
⁴UFR of Health Sciences, Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor, Ziguinchor, Senegal.
⁵Cardiovascular Surgery, FANN Hospital, Dakar, Senegal.

Introduction: the left atrial appendage, a dormant embryonic vestige, would play a major role in cardiac hemodynamic changes, volume homeostasis and thrombi formation. It, therefore constitutes a therapeutic target. Its morphology is extremely variable. Objective: it consisted on determining the morphological variations of the left auricle as well as their interest in the prevention of thrombi in the Senegalese. Material and Method: This study was conducted by dissecting 36 fresh hearts from Senegalese anatomical subjects with a sampling of the left atrial appendage, including specimens with normal morphological appearance. Their morphology was studied using the fresh and frozen plaster molding method. The data obtained were analyzed statistically. Results: the average age of the subjects was 33 years, with a sex ratio of 1.06, the cauliflower shape was dominant with 57% of cases and the cactus shape (4%) was less frequent. The cauliflower shape presented a clear angulation compared to the others without statistically significant differences according to age. Conclusion: This work showed a great morphological variability of the left atrial appendage. It can provide an update on the specificity of Senegalese. Taking these variations into account is important in the safe management of hemodynamic conditions and the improvement of the management of recurrent strokes.

Atrial Appendage, Morphology, Stroke

Mar, N. , Gaye, M. , Thiam, S. , Seck, I. , Wade, R. , Ndiaye, M. , Tireira, D. , Ndiaye, A. , Nyemb, P. , Ndoye, J. , Diop, M. , Ndiaye, A. and Ndiaye, A. (2025) Morphology of the Left Atrial Appendage in the Senegalese: About 36 Anatomic Parts. Forensic Medicine and Anatomy Research, 13, 1-7. doi: 10.4236/fmar.2025.131001.