ARTERIAL SUPPLY OF THE ODONTOID PROCESS OF THE AXIS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The arterial supply of the human odontoid process was studied in 48 cadavers of different ages by dissection, clearing, and radiologic methods. The results were as follows1. The odontoid process obtains its blood supply directly from the anterior and posterior ascending arteries arising from the vertebral artery and indirectly from the horizontal arteries arising from the ascending pharyngeal artery. Around the odontoid process these arteries form a peculiar anastomosis, the upper part of which is called the apical arch.2. There are two groups of nutrient arteries, the basal and the apical nutrient arteries, in the odontoid process. The basal nutrient arteries penetrate into the process at the base through the anterolateral aspect and the central part of the posterior aspect, mostly 1 branch (81.94?3.21％) from either side. The apical nutrient arteries enter it at the apex, and are usually divided into 2 branches (69.44?7.68％). The outer diameters of the basal nutrient arteries in the new horns, the children, and the adults are 0.09～0.15mm, 0.16～0.19mm, 0.24～0.29 mm, and those of the apical nutrient arteries are 0.03～0.06mm, 0.06～0.10mm, and 0.10～0.14 mm respectively.3. The pattern of arterial distribution within the odontoid process varies with the age. In subjects under twelve years the apex of the process has not yet ossified completely, and no anastomosis can be found between the arteries at the base and those at the apex. In adults ossification has been completed. The intraosseous arteries connect with each other and form an anastomosis network, which is most abundant at the base.