Arcuate foramen of human atlas vertebra - an osteological study of incidence in Jharkhand population and its clinical significance

Camellia Chanda; Satyabrata Patra; Renu Prasad

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2017

Arcuate foramen of human atlas vertebra - an osteological study of incidence in Jharkhand population and its clinical significance

Camellia Chanda, Satyabrata Patra, Renu Prasad

Abstract :

Aim: To find the incidence and clinical correlation of arcuate foramen and ponticuli in posterior arch of atlas verteae. Objective: To understand the existence of abnormal foramen in posterior arch of atlas verteae as an anatomic entity for the knowledge of neurosurgeons and radiologists. Material and Method: 48 dried human atlas verteae of unknown age and sex were taken for the study from the Department of Anatomy, RIMS, Ranchi. Results: We found the incidence of arcuate foramen in 10.41% of verteae with formation of a complete foramen in 4.16% of cases and a spicule of bone in the posterior margin of superior articular facet, leading to the formation of incomplete foramen in 6.25% of cases. Also, the presence of complete foramen was found only on the left side. Conclusion: This study is of importance to the neurologists, neurosurgeons and radiologists for their clinical implication as to compression of the third part of verteal artery during its course through the groove in posterior arch of atlas verteae.