ABSTRACT
The Foramen Transversarium (FT) is the result of a special formation of cervical transverse processes formed by fusion of vestigial costal elements to the body and true transverse process of the atlas that transmits the vertebral vascular bundle. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology and variations, if any, in the FT of the atlas which can compromise the course of the vertebral artery leading to its insufficiency. Sixty foramina transversaria of 30 dry adult human atlas vertebrae obtained from the Anatomy Department, Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India, were employed to carry out this study. Linear measurements of FT Length, Width and Depth were carried out with the help of a vernier caliper. On the basis of shape, 5 different types of FT, i.e. Rounded, Elliptical-Anteroposterior, Elliptical Transverse, Elliptical Right-Left and Elliptical Left Right, were classified. The presence of unilateral and bilateral accessory foramina transversaria was also noted. Results indicate that the mean of right and left sides of FT Length was 6.81 mm, Width 5.28 mm and Depth 5.39 mm respectively. The most common shape of the FT was Type 4 with highest frequency of 56.6% (17) on the right side and 33.3% (10) on the left side. Out of 30 vertebrae, only 7(23.3%) presented accessory FT, 4 (13.3%) showed single FT, 1 (3.3%) showed double FT unilaterally on the left side and 2 vertebrae (6.6%) presented single accessory FT bilaterally. To conclude, morphological and morphometric knowledge of the FT is clinically important as the Vertebral Artery passing through it contributes blood supply not only to the brain, but also to the inner ear, and its compression may lead to neurological and labyrinthine disturbances. FT variations are also helpful in the interpretation of radiographic pictures or CT scans for diagnostics
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