An Osteological Study of Foramen Trasversarium: Variations and Clinical Aspects

Abstract

Foramen transversarium are located on the transverse process of cervical vertebrae and are the cardinal features of cervical vertebrae. These foramina are known to exhibit variations in size, shape and may be absent or duplicated. Keeping this in mind, a study was done to record these variations. A hundred and twenty dry typical cervical vertebrae procured from department of anatomy were used for this study. Unilateral double foramen transversarium were seen in 2.5% cases while 4.16% cases showed bilateral double foramen transversarium. 0.83% cases showed symmetrical foramen transversarium and another 1.66% cases showed incomplete foramen transversarium. The normal factor responsible for such anomalies is developmental or related to variation in course of vertebral artery. The recognition of this variation provides safety and efficiency for the posterior approaches of the cervical spine.

Anatomical and Morphometric Evaluation of the Foramen Transversarium of Cervical Vertebrae

“…In our study, the incidences of bilateral and unilateral FT were found as 14.6% and 7.3% respectively. Contrary to Yadav et al (18), bilateral double FT was observed to be more incident in our study.…”

“…These variations in FT may affect the anatomic progress of vital vascular and neurological structures and hence lead to pathological conditions. Yadav et al (18) report unilateral complete FT as 2.5%, bilateral complete FT as 4.16%, incomplete FT as 1.66%, and asymmetrical FT as 0.83%. In our study, unilateral complete FT was found as 7.3%, bilateral complete FT as 3.16%, incomplete FT as 16.9%, and asymmetrical FT as 1.2%.…”

“…In our study, unilateral complete FT was found as 7.3%, bilateral complete FT as 3.16%, incomplete FT as 16.9%, and asymmetrical FT as 1.2%. Yadav et al (18) state that unilateral double FT is more incident than the bilateral double FT. In our study, the incidences of bilateral and unilateral FT were found as 14.6% and 7.3% respectively.…”

A morphometric study of foramen transversarium of dried cervical vertebrae

“…Only 3 (3%) cases of double FT was reported by Katikireddi RS et al 15 after study of 100 cervical vertebrae, in which 2 were unilateral & 1 was bilateral. Yadav Y et al 16 got only 8 (6.67%) cases of double FT among 120 cervical vertebrae, in which 3 were unilateral & 5 were bilateral. A single sixth cervical vertebra with bilateral double foramen FT with non-bifid spine was reported by Mishra GP et al 17 Double foramen transversarium is also known as "foramen transversarium bipartitia".…”

The Foramen Transversarium of Typical and Atypical Cervical Vertebrae: Morphology and Morphometry

“…Different terminologies were used by many authors that reported varying number, shape and laterality of FT (Akhtar et al, 2015;Dofe et al;Gujar et al, 2015;Sabnis;Sangari et al, 2015;Esakkiammal & Chauhan, 2016;Molinet et al, 2017). Studies have displayed three complete FT present on a vertebra, with one on one side and two on the other-these have been termed unilateral complete double (accessory) FT (Murlimanju et al, 2011;Karau & Odula;Ramachandran et al;Yadav et al, 2014;Akhtar et al;Sangari et al;Esakkiammal & Chauhan;Molinet et al). Murlimanju et al and Rathnakar et al (2013) also found triple FT unilaterally on a typical cervical vertebra.…”