Anatomical variation of the spinous process in the cervical vertebrae: A case study (original) (raw)
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Scientific reports, 2024
Palpation of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) is an important landmark for counting vertebrae for vertebral spine surgical instrumentation. However, studies have shown that the spinous process of C7 displays an anatomical deviation among individuals, which may mislead a surgeon who is not aware of this, and there have been no such studies among southwest Nigerians. The present study aimed to examine the incidence of bifidity in the C7 spinous process and their variation among 48 subjects with the aid of a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography. The 48 subjects who had undergone cervical spine computed tomography studies comprised the pooled data of ages between 12 and 55 years of black race in southwest Nigeria from the radiology department of the Trauma and Surgical Centre, Ondo State, Nigeria. A series of multivariate and discriminant statistical tests were performed on the measurement data to determine the occurrence of bifid spinous processes at C7 in southwestern Nigeria. The results show about 10% bifidity in the C-7 vertebra and no bifidity in the first cervical vertebra and the highest rate in the C-6 vertebra in the study population. The incidence in this study is significantly higher than findings in previous works. Thus, there is a need for clinicians to pay more attention to this variation when using C7 as a landmark especially in the studied population. Abbreviations C2 Second cervical vertebra C3 Third cervical vertebra C4 Fourth cervical vertebra C5 Fifth cervical vertebra C6 Sixh cervical vertebra C7 Seventh cervical vertebra 3D CT Three dimension computed tomography PACS Picture archiving communication system The seventh cervical spinous process (C7), also known as vertebra prominent, is an atypical, non-bifid-tipped process that can be felt posteriorly at the base of the neck, unlike typical cervical vertebrae such as C2-C6, which have the feature of a variable degree of bifidity. The average person in the health sector who has had to pass through anatomy class is mostly aware of this 1. In the early twentieth century, Shore reported on an extensive anatomical investigation of the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae 2. If a spine is divided into two at the tip, it is referred to as a bifid spine 3. The third to sixth cervical vertebrae have what is known as a bifid spine 4. However, the incidence of C7 bifidity has been seen to be low the in studied white population where only 0.3% prevalence was found 5. The prevalence of cervical spine bifidity has been observed to vary from race to
Short Spinous Process of Cervical Vertebrae in a Sudanese Subject: A Case Report
Sudan journal of medical sciences, 2022
Introduction: The spinous process is part of the vertebrae and provides muscle attachment for some muscles and ligaments. They are important landmarks and play a role in screw placement during surgical intervention. This report describes a case of a Sudanese with a short cervical spinous process and draws attention to the possibility of anatomical variations in general and the shortage of cervical spinous processes specifically. Case Report: A 70-year-old Sudanese male presented to the emergency department following a road traffic accident. After standard management and patient stabilization, the X-ray showed that the spinous processes of C 3, 4, and 5 cervical vertebrae were short, and those of C 6 and 7 have abnormal anatomy. The inter-spinous distances were well-maintained. The joints and articulations processes of cervical vertebrae were normal without cortication. The patient was stable and admitted for 24 hr for observation and then discharged on analgesics. Conclusion: This is the first case report of the short spinous process among Sudanese. Some of the cervical spinous processes were short, and others had abnormal anatomy. No obvious manifestations were linked to the case. Discussion of anatomical variations should be carried out and implemented with care and in line with the normal and latest developments in biological, anthropology, forensic, and related sciences. Such anatomical abnormality should be considered during radiographing, preparation, and surgical intervention planning. The normal adaption resulting from congenital abnormality or variation can be used as a method for reconstruction surgeries and provides alternatives to clinical management.
Analysis of the uncinate processes of the cervical spine: an anatomical study
Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2012
Object Although the uncovertebral region is neurosurgically relevant, relatively little is reported in the literature, specifically the neurosurgical literature, regarding its anatomy. Therefore, the present study aimed at further elucidation of this region's morphological features. Methods Morphometry was performed on the uncinate processes of 40 adult human skeletons. Additionally, range of motion testing was performed, with special attention given to the uncinate processes. Finally, these excrescences were classified based on their encroachment on the adjacent intervertebral foramen. Results The height of these processes was on average 4.8 mm, and there was an inverse relationship between height of the uncinate process and the size of the intervertebral foramen. Degeneration of the vertebral body (VB) did not correlate with whether the uncinate process effaced the intervertebral foramen. The taller uncinate processes tended to be located below C-3 vertebral levels, and their...
Anatomical variants of the cervical vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebra in man
Folia morphologica, 2003
Anatomical variants of the cervical part of the human spine were investigated. Morphological variants were studied on 100 cervical vertebrae (37 female and 63 male). The greatest variability was demonstrated by the first cervical vertebra or atlas. The presence of some accessory bony arches embracing the vertebral artery was observed, namely the posterior bridge restraining the arcuate foramen (13.8%) and the lateral bridge restraining the transversovertical foramen (2%). Split posterior (3%) or anterior (1%) arches of the atlas were also encountered in this material. The superior articular face of the atlas divided into two parts was found in 47.8%. Variants of the remaining cervical vertebrae were limited only to the presence of a division of the transverse process foramina or their incomplete closure. Some of these anatomical variants may be a cause of certain clinical symptoms which have previously been described in the literature.
Examination of cervical spine histological sectionsa technical note
Journal Of Whiplash …, 2006
The cervical spine facet joints have a central role in chronic pain syndromes following whiplash injuries. In order to improve our understanding of these pain syndromes, a detailed knowledge of the cervical spine anatomy and morphology is needed. Hence, a detailed examination of the cervical spine articular structures is needed and for this purpose we present a specialized histological method that may be employed in post-mortem studies.
Study on the Morphological Variations of the Adult Human Atlas Vertebrae
International Journal of Anatomy and Research, 2016
Background: The knowledge of the anatomical variations of atlas plays very important role in neurosurgery where the surgical manipulation of the cervical spine is needed to decompress the vertebral artery as the variations of altas leads to cause cervico-basilar insufficiency. Materials and methods: Study was carried out on 50 dry adult human atlas vertebrae of unknown sex which are collected from department of Anatomy. All the specimens were observed for presence of any morphological variations. Results: Among the 50 atlases studied. The following morphological variations were observed. Incomplete foramen transversarium was observed in 2 (4%) cases. Retroarticular canals or ponticles were present in 10 (20%) of cases. Among that the complete posterior ponticles was seen in 2 (4%) atlases, one with bilateral complete retroarticular canal, and one with unilateral retroarticular canal. Incomplete posterior ponticles was seen in 8 (16%) atlases, and the incomplete lateral ponticle was seen in 1 (2%) atlas. Bilobed superior articular facet was observed in 7 (14%) of cases. Spur on the anterior arch was observed in 10 (20%) of cases. Abnormal groove around the superior articular facet on left side was observed in one atlas. Conclusion: The knowledge of the absence of costal element or incomplete formation of foramen transversarium is important for radiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons who deal with diagnosis and treatment of head and neck region. Extreme rotation of cervical spine in an individual with retro-articular canal may lead to the compression of the third part of vertebral artery and may cause vertebro-basilar insufficiency. Hence the knowledge of the anatomical variations is very important for neurosurgeons dealing with surgical manipulation of the cervical spine to decompress the vertebral artery.
Study of Anomalies of Cervical Vertebrae
International Journal of Anatomy and Research, 2016
Introduction: Fused cervical vertebrae may be congenital. This anomaly may be asymptomatic, or it may also appear with manifestations of serious clinical features such as myelopathy, limitation of the neck movements, muscular weakness, atrophy and neurological sensory loss, or may be associated with syndrome such as Klippel-Feil. Materials and Method: This study included 350 cervical vertebrae from department of anatomy of various medical institutions. Result: We found complete ossification of anterior as well as posterior longitudinal ligaments in cervical vertebrae. Some other fusion anomalies are also found in same vertebrae. Conclusion: The present study highlights the ossification of anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments in the region of cervical vertebrae as a part of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
The morphometric study of the body of dry human subaxial cervical vertebrae
IP Innovative Publication Pvt. Ltd, 2019
Cervical vertebral column is influenced by mechanical, environmental, genetic, metabolic and hormonal factors and has to react to the forces of everyday lifelike compression, traction, torsion and shearing. The key position and function of vertebral column has always interested workers in the research field. Many clinical problems affect the different components of the vertebral column and especially cervical region. The cervical region of vertebral column being the most common site of expression of stress in the form of cervical pain, formation of osteophytes, osteoporosis, prolapsed intervertebral disc and spondilitis etc. In view of the surgical procedures carried on cervical vertebral column and certain percentages of failures in some of them, many workers have tried to standardize the measurements of the different parts of cervical vertebrae. The morphometric database of the cervical vertebrae can be used for developing implantable devices and spinal instrumentation.
Anatomy and Examination of the Spine
Neurologic Clinics, 2007
A review of the anatomy of the spine in a few pages must, by necessity, be abridged. This article concentrates on clinically relevant anatomy. For a more expansive discussion, the reader is referred to the most recent edition of Gray's anatomy .