Welcome to International Journal of Anatomy and Research

Type of Article: Original Research

Year: 2016 | Volume 4 | Issue 3 | Page No. 2838-2841

Date of Publication: 30-09-2016

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2016.351

ANATOMICAL STUDY AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ARCUATE FORAMEN OF HUMAN ATLAS VERTEBRAE IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA REGION

Shaikh Jasmeen Vajir *¹, Annabelle Rajaseharan ², Shaikh Shirin Vajir ³.

^*1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Vinayaka Mission’s Medical college & Hospital , Karaikal, Pondicherry, India.

² Dean, Vinayaka Mission’s Medical college & Hospital, Karaikal , Pondicherry, India.

³ Consultant Cardiologist, SVS Institute of neurosciences, Kachiguda. Hyderabad. Telangana, India.

Address: Dr. Shaikh Jasmeen Vajir, Flat no.407, Swamy Towers, Behind Apollo Hospital, Basheerbagh, Hyderguda. Hyderabad -500029. Telangana, India. Mob. 09967280998 / 9030890972
E-Mail: drshaikhjasmeen@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background: The atlas (C1) is the most superior (first) cervical vertebra of the spine. Atlas vertebra is one of the important bony components of craniovertebral  junction.In human atlas vertebra, immediately behind each superior articular process of posterior arch is a groove (sulcus arteriae vertebralis), transmitting the 3rd part of vertebral artery and the suboccipital ( first cervical spinal) nerve. This is sometimes converted into a foramen called as Arcuate foramen also known as Ponticuli or Tunnel by a delicate bony speculum which arches backward from the posterior end of the superior articular process. The importance of the Arcuate foramen lies in the external pressure it may cause on vertebral artery as it passes from foramen transversarium of first cervical vertebra to the foramen magnum of the skull.
Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 200 dried fully ossified adult human atlas vertebrae of unknown sex and age for evaluation of arcuate foramen. The sample was obtained from Department of Anatomy & Forensic Toxicology of Grant medical college & Sir J.J. group of hospital, Mumbai. India.
Results: In the present study one case (0.5./.) of bilateral presence of arcuate foramen or tunnel on atlas vertebra was detected for the passage of vertebral artery in Western Maharashtra region.
Conclusion: The study aims to evaluate the presence of Arcuate foramen in Western Maharashtra region. Neurologists, neurosurgeons and medical community in general should have knowledge about Arcuate foramen and  requires careful radiological analysis while dealing with the patients complaining of symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency like headache, vertigo, dizziness, shoulder and arm pain.Moreover  C1 vertebra is also the target of stabilisation procedures, including transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation procedure. As the vertebral artery courses in the transverse foramen and on the vertebral artery groove of C1 lamina,this course of vertebral artery complicates surgical procedures in this area. So this also necessitates knowledge regarding C1 bony landmarks.
KEY WORDS: Arcuate Foramen, Craniovertbral Junction, Tunnels, Ponticuli, Atlas Vertebra.

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Shaikh Jasmeen Vajir, Annabelle Rajaseharan, Shaikh Shirin Vajir. ANATOMICAL STUDY AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ARCUATE FORAMEN OF HUMAN ATLAS VERTEBRAE IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA REGION. Int J Anat Res 2016;4(3):2838-2841. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2016.351