Superior view of Atlas vertebrae showing unilateral double FT (arrow) on the root of the transverse process

Superior view of Atlas vertebrae showing unilateral double FT (arrow) on the root of the transverse process

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... following results were recorded: Double foramina were observed in 23 vertebrae (17.7%) 7 on the left and 13 on the right and 3 on both sides. The accessary foramina were present on the posterior root of the transverse process in 10 cases while in 13 cases the foramina were observed at the posterior arch (Figure 3-5). Some accessory foramina were too small. ...

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... The ITF www.acbjournal.org https://doi.org/10.5115/acb.23.281 is described as a gap in the antero-lateral forming a groove for the vertebral vessels found in around 7% of individuals [16]. It was identified on the right side of the subject in the present study (Fig. 2). ...
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In this report, atlantooccipital assimilation (AS), anterior arch defect (AAD), and posterior arch defect (PAD) of the atlas, and several variations around the craniocervical junction were identified on computed tomography (CT) of a patient of unknown sex and age. Coronal and sagittal CT scans showed AS and bilateral fusion of the atlas and the base of occipital bone. Axial CT scan at the atlas revealed PAD type B on the left side and midline AAD. Morphometric measurements indicated a potential ventral spinal cord compression. In addition, mid-sagittal CT revealed the presence of fossa navicularis magna and incomplete formation of the transverse foramen on the right side. This study reports an extremely rare AS associated with AAD, PAD, and other variations of the clivus and the atlas. To our knowledge, no similar case has been reported in the literature.
... Also, FT of atlas possesses lots of clinical importance, so morphometric & morphological variability will be a great help for the surgeons performing various treatment modalities. [12,13] Spinal cord compression especially in the cervical region may lead to full blown neurological signs & symptoms due to unusual bony or soft tissue components. [14] So, not only FT but also vertebral foramen of atlas also plays a major role as a bony factor for the pathogenesis of various neurological consequences. ...
... In our observation, accessory foramina were seen in 9 % of atlas among 55 total vertebrae which was similar to study done by Nagar et al. [30] & Srobar et al. [13] . But very high incidence of accessory FT was observed in studies done by Kaya et al. [4] , Aziz et al. [12] ., Rao BS et al. [31] among different population group. The frequency of accessory FT was very high among Egyptian [12] & Jeweish [4] population. ...
... But very high incidence of accessory FT was observed in studies done by Kaya et al. [4] , Aziz et al. [12] ., Rao BS et al. [31] among different population group. The frequency of accessory FT was very high among Egyptian [12] & Jeweish [4] population. Very low incidence was observed among Das et al. study in 2005. ...
... The double opening of the transverse foramen of the C7 vertebra appears in literature as an inheritable non-metric feature (Katzenberg and Saunders 2007: 536). The fusion of the foramen could be congenital and may have caused alterations in blood circulation and nerve damage (Cai et al. 2018;Goray et al. 2005;Aziz and Morgan 2018). The narrowing of the original path for the vessels and nerves could cause problems with blood circulation (thrombosis, emboli, reflex spasm) and partial paralysis. ...
... It was possible to trace this in an older individual from Misti with improper leg formation (Socha et al. 2020) and in the case of Ampato #3. The malformation of the path for the vertebral artery and vein and the sympathetic nerve plexus could cause some serious medical issues (Cai et al. 2018;Goray et al. 2005;Aziz and Morgan 2018;Sultana et al. 2015). However, bone lesions alone are not enough to determine the health of an individual. ...
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One of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire was the capacocha. It required the most prestigious sacrificial offering of male and female children and young women who were characterized by their beauty and purity. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a bio-anthropological analysis of the remains of five individuals sacrificed on the summits of Ampato and Pichu Pichu during this ritual. Various methods (bone analysis and radiography) were applied in the investigation due to the diverse states of preservation of the remains. Four individuals were in the same age category: 6-7 years old. The individual Pichu Pichu #2 was sacrificed at age 3.5 years, which makes him the youngest capacocha sacrifice currently known. Results show proper development of the victims' bodies, the presence of stress markers related to the early childhood period, and, in the case of the Ampato boy, malformation of the cervical vertebrae. The studies of the Pichu Pichu and Ampato sacrifices confirm their widespread origins, privileged position, and high social status. They show that the victims were well-nourished and had proper body growth compared to juveniles from the lower social strata in different cemeteries in the region.
... was also observed on the left side. This result corroborates the previous finding by Aziz and Morgan [25] that documented a 10% frequency for the irregular type of FT. ...
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ARTICLE INFO Keywords Foramen transversarium Cervical vertebrae Morphometric Sex Age ABSTRACT Foramen transversarium (FT) is a distinguishing characteristic of cervical vertebrae based on the vertebral vessels and sympathetic nerve it transmits. This study aimed to analyze the morphometric parameters and variations of FT of the typical cervical vertebrae with regards to sex, age, and laterality within the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) population , South Africa. One hundred and thirty dried human typical cervical vertebrae of the KZN population of known sex and age without any degeneration were sourced from the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The osteometry analyses were performed using Markus Bader (MB) Ruler and subjected to RStudio statistical analysis. Rounded (43.85%) or ellipsoid transversely (23.85%) shapes FTs were predominant in males and on the right side (46.16%). Morphometric indices were higher in males on the right side in age groups 20 to under 60 years. An unusually high prevalence of double foramen (36.92%) was present in about one-third of the specimen with a higher percentage in males and bilateral in about 10%. This study has provided a good basis on morphometric analysis and variations of FT with regards to specific sex, age group, and laterality.
... Taitz et al. and Aziz [22] observed the different shape of the accessory foramen transversarium such as round, oval, irregular, and quadrangular. They also reported that among the shapes, round-shaped foramen were the most common one (Taitz et al. -54.8% and Aziz et al. ...
... The atlas vertebra differs in structure from other cervical vertebrae and variations of this vertebrae are common. In the past, various studies has been conducted by many authors on the variations in size, shape, absence, incomplete [2][3][4][5] or duplicated foramen transversarium [6][7][8]. ...
... Such variations in the foramen transversarium may cause compression of vertebral artery during manipulation of cervical spine surgery, excessive exercise of the neck, physiotherapy and this may result in vertebro-basilar ischemia which may lead to common symptoms like migrane, vertigo, diplopia, shoulder pain, neck pain and sometime cerebrovascular incidents [8]. Hence, the knowledge of variation of foramen transversarium of atlas vertebrae is important for physicians, surgeons, orthopedicians, neurologists and physiotherapists [5]. ...
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Introduction: Foramen transversarium are the characteristic bony feature of the cervical vertebrae. They are located on the transverse process of cervical vertebrae through which second part of vertebral artery passes along with vertebral venous and sympathetic plexus. Their variations are common with regard to size, shape, incomplete, duplicated and may even absent. Material & Methods: Two hundred foramen transversarium of one hundred atlas vertebrae were examined for morphological variations. Results: Out of hundred atlas vertebrae examined, foramen transversarium was present in all. Absence of costal element was noticed in four atlas vertebrae. Four atlas vertebrae showed incomplete bilateral foramen transversarium while four showed unilateral duplicated foramen transversarium. Conclusion: The increasing incidence of neck injuries and related syndromes necessitates the study of bony variations of the atlas vertebra and its foramen transversarium. The second part of vertebral artery is prone to be damaged during neck surgeries and posterior cervical injuries due to incomplete formation of the foramen transversarium, hence the knowledge of such variations is important for surgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, neurologists, orthopedicians, radiologists and physicians.
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The aim of this study is to reveal the incidence and morphometric features of the accessory foramen transversarium in the population in eastern Turkey. In the study, a total of 125 cervical vertebrae of unknown gender and age, located in the Anatomy Department of Ataturk, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım and Kafkas University Medical Faculties, were used and accessory foramen transversarium was detected in 22 (17.6 %) of these cervical vertebrae. In this study, the area, vertical and horizontal diameters of the accessory foramen transversarium were measured for the first time. It was determined that the accessory foramen transversarium with the largest area was in C3-C6 (6.8 mm2) and the smallest area was in C7 (1.06 mm2). It was determined that the largest vertical diameter was C7 (2.38 mm), the smallest one was C3-C6 (0.91 mm), the largest horizontal diameter (3.66 mm), and the smallest (1.6 mm) were C3-C6. In addition, accessory foramen transversariums were typified. One foramen arcuate was also detected during the examinations. As a result, osteometric measurements of the accessory foramen transversarium were revealed. We think that these data will be an important reference in head and neck surgery, in the clinical approach of a. vertebralis, and in the evaluations of radiologists in the neck region.
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Introduction: The facet joints are the only synovial joint of spine and undergo osteoarthritic changes referred to as facet joint arthrosis (FJA). The arthrosis is akin to arthritic changes in any other synovial joint of the body and may manifest as back pain or may remain asymptomatic throughout life. The causes for pain manifestation in FJA are manifold but there is paucity of literature in defining reasons to remain asymptomatic even with a deranged pathology at the joint. Thus the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic FJA and define its relation with respect to age, gender and vertebral level on CT evaluation and discuss the pertinent anatomy around each spinal motion segment which prevents manifestation of pain. Material & Methods: A total of 100 asymptomatic subjects were selected on basis of a low back pain questionnaire within age range of 20-70 years, reporting to radiology department for CT abdomen. The individuals were categorized as per the following age groups; 20-35yrs as young; 36-50 as middle and 51-70 as old age groups. All five lumbar vertebral levels with their facet joints were analysed for evidences of degenerative grades and their severity, in total selected subjects. The images obtained were further assessed on image analysis software for distribution as per the age-groups, gender and prevalence with respect to vertebral level. Results: A total of 136 (27.2%) levels in 43(43%) spines were found to have FJA. The highest prevalence (43.3%) of asymptomatic FJA was observed in the middle age group with involvement of multiple spinal motion segments and with grade 4 severity. Conclusion: Prevalence of severe grades of asymptomatic FJA in middle age group suggests the possible role of certain muscle groups in maintaining an appropriate posture in spite of on-going degenerative processes.