Variations among Foramen Transversarium in Cervical Vertebrae and its Clinical Significance
Arivalagan Arunkumar1, Bhargavan Rajesh2, V. Tamilalagan3
1Tutor, Department of Anatomy, Andaman & Nicobar Island Institute of Medical Sciences, Portblair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744104, India. 2 Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry 605502, India. 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600047, India.
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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 andMethods: 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.
Corresponding Author : A Arunkumar, Tutor, Department of Anatomy, Andaman & Nicobar Island Institute of Medical Sciences, Portblair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744104, India..