Terminologia Anatomica of the groove for vertebral artery: Pros and Cons

Abstract

Purpose The groove for vertebral artery (GVA) is an anatomical structure in the posterior arch of the atlas, and the vertebral artery (VA) travels along the GVA. The aim of the present work was to investigate if the terminologia anatomica (TA) of GVA is accurate or not. Methods High-resolution head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) data from 564 individuals and a designated atlas specimen were used for study. The relationships among the GVA, VA, and the venous plexus (VP) were investigated using CTA image postprocessing techniques. In total, 551 valid participants were used for study. Results A prevalence of 13.97% (154/1102) showed bony multiformity in the posterior arch of atlas, and the bony spur and bridge were the most occurred bony structures. And a rate of 42.92% (473/1102) suggested that the VA did not run directly with the GVA. Rich VP drained the venous blood from different layers: the superficial layer (the occipital region, the mastoidal region) and the deep layer (the condylar emissary VP, the VP from the intracranial region, the posterior internal vertebral VP, the vertebral VP, and the deep cervical VP). Conclusion The VA does not always run directly contacting the GVA, which some space was left for the condylar emissary VP to pass between the VA and the GVA. We suggest that the TA of vertebral neurovascular groove/canal is better to conclude the structures travelling through the groove, and the TA from present study could give the clinic more thinking to improve the operation techniques.