ABSTRACT
Background: Hypermobility of Atlanto-Occipital joints give rise to symptoms related to vascular compromise viz syncope, vertigo, transient impairment of visual field, altered consciousness. Surgical management of congenital anomalies of craniovertebral junction requires a precise identification of underlying pathophysiological condition. For this reason variation in superior articular facets of atlas vertebrae in terms of its morphology should be known. Method: The morphology of 100 atlas vertebrae had been studied and observations of total 200 facets were noted. Measurements were taken with a vernier callipers and a compass. Result :In the present study, typical oval, elongated or kidney shaped outline was found in 74.5% facets. Constrictions or notches were present on 48% facets. Complete separation (4.5%) is suggestive of tendency towards possible restriction of movement at atlanto-occipital joint as part of evolutionary changes. Roughly circular pressure facets had been observed in 78% of vertebrae indicating possibly greater pressure at this site during movement at atlanto-occipital joint.Conclusion: Knowledge of this variation in craniovertebral junction is of significant importance for Neurosurgeons and Orthopaedic surgeons doing various surgeries in this region.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The present study was aimed to provide data on palatal indices, and to describe the osteological and morphological variations in the grooves and bony prominences of the hard palate, and thus to compare the same with the work of other authors. Methods: 100 dry, sexed, adult human skulls were studied from sources in various Medical Colleges of Gujarat, and palatal indices were measured with Vernier callipers to the nearest 0.1 mm. The percentage frequencies of spines, crests, variant sutures, and longitudinal grooves were determined. Results: The values for Palatine index showed that 63% of the total sample of skulls had narrow (leptostaphyline), 24% had intermediate (mesostaphyline), and 13% had wide (brachystaphyline) palates; while the Palatine height index showed that 42% of the total sample had low (chamestaphyline), 54% had intermediate (orthostaphyline), and 4% had deep (hypsistaphyline) palates. Longitudinal palatal grooves were found bilaterally in all the palates, with 86.5% having crests along their length. Incisive suture was seen in 8% of the adult skulls studied. Conclusion: A knowledge of Palatal indices would be helpful to the surgeons during repair of the cleft palate and/or lip, and to anthropologists. Further, the anatomical variations in the grooves, crests and spines on the hard palate may be of clinical significance in the administration of local anaesthesia, and in palatal surgery and prosthetic dentistry.