IJAR.2025.235
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 13; Issue 4 (December 2025)
Page No.: 9340-9345
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2025.235
Transverse Process of Atlas as a Surgical Landmark for Various Head and Neck Surgeries- A Computed Tomography Assisted Study
Madhu P Raj 1, Jyothi K C 2, Anupama Kodailbail 3, Radhika Paramesh Mudaliar 4, Eilene Basu 5, Shailaja Shetty 6.
1 MBBS, Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: 0000-0003-0121-7212
*2 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: 0000-0002-7957-8811
3 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: 0000-0001-5285-281X
4 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: 0000-0002-4761-112X
5 MBBS, Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: 0000-0003-0121-7212
6 Professor, Department of Anatomy, Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. ORCiD: 0000-0002-5224-8855
Correspondence address: Dr. Jyothi K C, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College; Address: New BEL Road, M. S. Ramaiah Nagar, MSRIT Post, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560054, India; E-Mail: jyothikc.rmc@msrmc.ac.in
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Head and neck are complex regions with vital structures compactly arranged, hence it is essential to define important structures with respect to a common externally palpable landmark, such as the transverse process of atlas. This will direct the surgeon towards appropriate structures and hence serves as an important surgical landmark for complicated head and neck surgeries.
Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, the Computed Tomography scans of neck region at the level of first cervical vertebra were studied. The distance between the center point of transverse process of atlas and important neurovascular structures were measured bilaterally and documented and statistically analyzed.
Results: The study was performed on 50 Computerized Tomographic films belonging to both sex groups. The mean distance of Internal Carotid Artery anteriorly from the tip of transverse process of atlas was 22.69 mm, posteriorly Occipital artery was 12.46 mm vertebral artery on an average 25.34 mm, styloid process posterosuperiorly was 17.18 mm and internal jugular vein was at 9.06 mm. The minimum distance of internal jugular vein di anterior to the transverse process was 1.49 mm. There was statistical significance in the distances of internal jugular vein, styloid process, and the vertebral artery on the left and right sides. There was a strong correlation between the structures bilaterally.
Conclusion: This study will help in providing appropriate topographical knowledge of structures in relation to a common landmark which serves as an easier method of surface marking and may alleviate the risks of intraoperative and postoperative complications.
Key words: Transverse process, Atlas, Surgical landmark, Internal carotid artery, Internal Jugular Vein.
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