International Journal of Anatomical Variations (IJAV) is an open access electronic journal aiming to provide an online compendium for anatomical variations in gross, radiological, and surgical anatomy, neuroanatomy, and case reports in clinical anatomy. IJAV features only case reports; however, letters to the editor and book reviews are also welcome. All submitted articles will be peer-reviewed. No processing fee is charged from authors.

IJAV annually publishes case reports related to human anatomy. The content of the IJAV is determined by the Editors.

IJAV, the Publisher, and the Editors assume no responsibility for the statements of authors (and/or contributors) in the articles.

The submitted manuscripts must not contain previously published material or material under consideration for publication elsewhere. Accepted manuscripts belong to IJAV and may not be republished.

All manuscripts will undergo peer review. A final review and subsequent decision about the publication will then be made by an IJAV editor.

One of the most important features of IJAV is speedy review and rapid publication. We strive to publish an accepted manuscript within 3 weeks of initial submission. Manuscripts requiring revisions must be resubmitted within one month.

By submitting a manuscript for publication, each author acknowledges having made a substantial contribution in the conception and design of the study, the analysis and interpretation of the results, and the writing of the paper, and has approved the final submitted version of the paper. Each author thus also acknowledges responsibility for the integrity of the manuscript, assures the originality of the manuscript, and guarantees that duplicate or redundant publications or submissions have not occurred. The Editors reserve the right to request the original data obtained in the investigation. Authors are responsible for all statements within the text.

These instructions are based in part on recommendations in the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journal [Ann. Intern. Med. 1997; 126: 36-47]. Variations from guidelines reflect the individual style of IJAV.

Manuscripts should be written in acceptable English. Spelling can be British or American, but consistent throughout. The manuscripts should be as concise as possible, desired number of words including abstract, text and references is limited to 1500 words. All submissions are required to be made via e-mail, to editor@ijav.org e-mail address. Authors do not need to mail printed copies of manuscript. Manuscripts must be submitted in electronic version only. MS- Word 2007 documents, as well as older file types are welcome. The manuscript should be typed double-spaced throughout with at least a 2.5 cm margins on all sides. Pages should be numbered consecutively, beginning with the title page.

Keep acronyms and abbreviations to a minimum. Use standard abbreviations and units, The International System of Units (SI, Le Système International d'Unités) is preferred. If necessary, spell out all non-standars abbreviations in parentheses at first mention. The anatomical nomenclature specified in Terminologia Anatomica is adhered.

A cover letter and a copyright transfer form signed by all authors must accompany the submission.

Submit a digital portrait picture of the corresponding author with the manuscript.

Organize the manuscript as follows: title page, summary, introduction, case report, discussion, acknowledgements, references, figure legends.

Title Page. The title page should be the first page of the manuscript and following information should appear: title of article, full name of author(s), institutional affiliations, grant support, and presentation in part or whole at any meeting. Identify the corresponding author and provide full mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. A running title not exceeding 45 letters and spaces should be provided.

Summary. The summary is limited to 150 words, and should describe the essence of the report. No references should be cited. Append up to 5 key words at the end of the summary for the purposes of citing by the secondary services.

Introduction. Introduction should give brief background information in a few sentences.

Case report. Case report section should clearly describe the case or variation. It must be written in past tense. Cite figures to illustrate the findings.

Discussion. Start with limited background information and then discuss the case in the light of what has been published in the past, highlight the educational value of the case. In appropriate place, cite the figure(s).

Acknowledgements. Acknowledgements should appear on a separate page.

References. Section must be double-spaced and begin on a separate page. References are numbered consecutively in the order in which they appear in the text. References should be limited (no more than 10 preferably) to only those that give essential background material. All references must be cited in the text, where numbers are enclosed in [square brackets] on line with the text (not superscript). Papers submitted but not yet accepted for publication should also be cited in the text (Konan A, unpublished data, 2004). Inclusive page numbers (e.g., 491-492) must be provided for all references. Journal names should be abbreviated according to MeSH. All authors should be listed in references. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the references.

Journal article. [Reference number] Aldur MM, Celik HH, Sargon MF, Dagdeviren A, Aksit MD, Taner D. Unreported anatomical variation of septum pellucidum. Clin. Anat. 1997; 10: 245-249.

Book. [Reference number] Noback CR, Demarest RJ. The Human Nervous System. 2nd Ed., New York, McGraw-Hill. 1975; 199-201.

Edited book. [Reference number] Wyngaarden JB. Principles of human genetics. In: Wyngaarden JB, Smith LH, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 18th Ed., Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders Company. 1988; 146-152.

URL (Web Page). [Reference number] Stern M. Radial nerve entrapment. http://www.emedicine.com/orthoped/topic549.htm (accessed May 2008).

Format: Author, if available. Title of page as listed on the site. Address of page (date accessed).

Figures and Legends. The figures should be sent separately as JPEG/JPG files with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. The complete sets of original figures including lettered and unlettered copies must be submitted. Color figures are highly encouraged. Additional illustrations providing a better understanding of the figures are also encouraged (example illustration). Subjects’ names must not appear on the figures. Labels should contrast well with the background. Label all pertinent findings, Arial typeface is preferred. Images should be uniform in size and magnification. Illustrations should be free of all identifying information relative to the subject and institution. Line drawings should be professional in quality. Written permission for use of all previously published illustrations must be included with submission, and the source should be referenced in the legends. Legends should be in the present tense (e.g., ‘Illustration shows...’). Written permission from any person recognizable in a photo is required. Legends must be double-spaced, not exceed 100 words. Figures should be numbered in the order cited in the text.

Movies. Movies providing a better understanding are welcome, such as an angiographic movie in a case of coronary artery variation. All movies should be submitted at the desired reproduction size and length. To avoid delays in downloading, movies should not be more than 10 MB in size.

Letters to the Editor may be used to describe in an extremely brief manner either an observation of interest to our readers, an opinion relative to the IJAV, or constructive observations or criticisms of published material. Letters should be no more than two pages and should be submitted with a brief title. A maximum of four references may be included. Letters are published at the discretion of the journal and are subject to editing.

Publishers and authors who wish to have their titles considered for review should send review copies to the editorial contact address below. Unsolicited book reviews are not considered for publication.

Selcuk TUNALI, MD, PhD

Hacettepe University
Faculty of Medicine
Department of Anatomy
06100, Ankara, TURKEY

Phone: +90 (312) 305 21 07

Fax: +90 (312) 478 52 00

E-mail: editor@ijav.org