IJAR.2017.151
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 5; Issue 2.1 (April 2017)
Page No.: 3708-3712
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.151
STUDY ON THE ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS AND MORPHOMETRY OF FORAMEN TRANSVERSARIA OF THE SUBAXIAL CERVICAL VERTEBRAE
M Yesender *1, P Devadas 2, S Saritha 3, B H Shiny Vinila 4.
1 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
2 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Telangana, India
3 Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Academy of Medical sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
4 Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Panineeya Mahavidyalaya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. M Yesender, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Academy of Medical sciences and Research Center, L B Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India E-Mail: yesender.anat@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The occurrence of vertebrobasilar insufficiency caused by rotation of the head has been reported due to thickened fibroligamentous structures, osteophyte formation, duplication of foramen transversarium, and congenital absence of the foramen transversarium. The size and variations of the foramen transversarium plays an important role in vertebrobasillar insufficiency. The present study was carried out on the anatomical variations of foramen transversarium.
Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 50 dry adult subaxial cervical vertebrae. Among that 40 were typical and 10 were seventh cervical vertebrae. All the foramen transversaria were observed for any anatomical variations and recorded. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of all the foramen transversaria and the distance between the medial margins of uncinate process to the foramen transversarium were measured with the double tipped compass and the digital vernier calipers.
Results: The average transverse diameter of typical cervical vertebrae and seventh cervical vertebrae were 5.45 ± 0.84mm and 5.13 ± 1.22mm respectively. The average anteroposterior diameters of typical and seventh cervical vertebrae were 4.84 ± 0.69 mm and 3.91 ± 1.17mm respectively. The distance from medial border of uncinate process to foramen transversaria was 4.28 ± 0.77mm in typical and 5.44 ± 1.28mm in seventh cervical vertebare. The incidence of double bubble foramen in typical cervical vertebrae was reported as 17.5%. The incidence of double foramen transversaria was 12.5% in seventh cervical vertebrae. Osteophytes were obstructing the foramen transversarium and narrowing it in 25% vertebrae.
Conclusion: The knowledge on the variations, dimensions and the distance between the medial borders of the uncinate process to foramen may be helpful for the neurosurgeons while performing decompression of artery through anterior approach to cervical spine.
Key words: Foramen transversarium, Cervical vertebrae, Vertebral artery, Osteophytes.
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