Variations among Foramen Transversarium in Cervical Vertebrae and its Clinical Significance

What is it about?

Variations among Foramen Transversarium in Cervical Vertebrae and its Clinical Significance

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Aim: To study the variations of Foramen Transversarium in cervical vertebrae and to analyze their morphological features with emphasize on their embryological and surgical importance. Material and Methods: The study included human cervical vertebrae which were procured from the dry bone collections of Department of Anatomy, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Port Blair and Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry. The age and sex were not known. The foramina transversaria of all the vertebrae were studied for shape, size and for presence of accessory foramina. Results: Significant number of bones with shape variations, size variations and many accessory foramen transversarium were found. The incidence of accessory foramen transversarium appears to be very high. One unilateral Arcuate canal (posterior arch canal) was identified. No incidence of three foramen and absence of foramen. Conclusion: Variations in number and position of foramen transversarium is important for interpreting the CT and MRI scans and essential while performing complex surgical procedures. Their morphological knowledge is clinically important since the course of the 2nd and 3rd part of vertebral artery may be distorted. These variations may be one of the causes for complaints like headache, migraine and fainting episodes due to vertebral artery compression.

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