ABSTRACT
Background: Atlas is the first cervical vertebra. The vertebral artery lies in the groove on posterior arch of the atlas. The vertebral artery groove may sometimes get converted into a foramen. This is commonly known as ponticulus posterior (ponticulus posticus) or arcuate foramen of the atlas. These foramina may be complete or incomplete. This can lead to compression of the vertebral artery and produce symptoms like headache, syncope, altered consciousness etc. It can also complicate manipulations of the cervical spine by reducing the blood flow during extreme rotations of head and neck. It is also associated with vertebrobasilar artery stroke So, neurosurgeons or orthopaedic surgeons who operate in this area should have a detailed knowledge of variations of groove for the vertebral artery. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 50 dried and fully ossified adult human atlas of unknown age and sex collected from the department of Anatomy, Government Medical college, Nagpur. Each atlas vertebra was carefully observed for the presence or absence of complete or incomplete ponticuli on superior surface of posterior arch of atlas. Results: Out of the 50 vertebra studied 7(14%) showed the presence of Ponticuli. Ponticuli were incomplete in all 7 atlas vertebras. Complete ring was not observed in any of the atlas vertebra .Out of the 7 ponticuli 6(12%) were found to be unilateral and in only 1 (2%) case it was found to be bilateral. Out of the 6 ponticuli 4(8%) were noticed on the Left side and 2(4%) were present on the right side. Conclusion: Presence of incomplete ponticulus posterior might cause cervical pain and even cerebrovascular disorders due to pressure on third part of vertebral artery present in the vertebral artery groove. This anatomical knowledge is important for neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists and clinicians while dealing with this region.
ABSTRACT
Background: Stature is an important parameter in medico-legal examination. It happens many a times when highly decomposed or mutilated bodies or sometime only facial remains of skull are brought for medico-legal examination and this ismost common in our region where victims are attacked by wild animals in deep forests which makes difficult to identify deceased. In such medico legal examination stature estimation is important including age, sex, race, etc. Each race requires its own formula for stature estimation because racial and ethnic variations exist in population of different geographical regions. The climate and dietary habits of the people of different regions of India are variable. Hence opinions based on the result of studies done in one population cannot be entirely applicable to other population. Considering this scenario the aim of the present study is to estimate the stature from skull anthropometry in this region. Aims: Present study was undertaken to determine stature from maxillo-facial anthropometry in central Indian region using head length and head breadth. Methods: The study was conducted on 470 young and healthy subjects, 260males and 210 females of 18 to 24 years. Two skull measurements namely head length and head breadth were taken by following standards anthropometricmethods and technique. Results: Regression equation for stature of males using head length is 122.32 + 2.63 × HL and using head breadth is 162.63 + 0.57 × HB. The regression equation for stature in females using head length and breadth are 133.76 + 1.49 × HL and 123.9 + 2.33 × HB respectively. Conclusion: Regression equations are population specific and will not yield exact stature if applied to other population. Stature estimation can be possible with the help of these two parameters when only skull or remains of the skull are available for medico legal examination.
ABSTRACT
Variation in the articular facet of the sustenticulum tali have been described bymany authors.Most researchers view these differences in facet configuration as anatomical variations of no functional significance. Bruckner (1987), for the first time argued that these facet configurations affect joint stability. The purpose of this study was to determine the talar facet configuration of calcanei in India, measure the angle between the anterior and middle facet planes of these calcanei, and assess the relation between the above parameters and the degenerative changes in the subtalar joints. Study was conducted in 220 calcanei of unknown age & sex. The facet patterns observed were fused anterior andmiddle facets (Type I), three separate facets (Type II), absence of the anterior facet (Type III) and threemerged facets (Type IV). Osteoarthritic changes studied are lipping, eburnation on visual inspection and subchondral sclerosis on radiographs. Present study reveals that the talar facet configuration of calcanei and the angle between the anterior and middle facets influence the stability of the subtalar joints and development of osteoarthritis.