Anthropometry of Bodies of C3-C6 Cervical Vertebrae in Northwest Indian Population: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge of morphometric dimensions of cervical vertebrae is of immense help in choosing and designing implants for the cervical spine. Previous studies on this subject have emphasized that these dimensions have significant variations among different populations. Aim: To determine and analyse morphometric parameters of the body of typical cervical vertebrae (C3-C6) in the Northwest Indian population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 164 typical cervical vertebrae (C3 to C6) retrieved from the skeleton collection in the Department of Anatomy at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India from February 2020 to April 2022. Morphometric parameters measured in the study were anteroposterior diameters and transverse diameter of both surfaces of the body, and height of anterior surface of the body using a digital vernier calipers. Descriptive statistical analysis was done with the help of Microsoft Excel version 2021. Results: Of the total 164 sample, on the superior surface of the body anteroposterior diameter increased from C3 vertebrae (Mean±Standard Deviation {SD}= 14.67±1.42 mm) to C6 vertebrae (Mean±SD=15.73 mm). The anteroposterior diameter of the inferior surfaces of the body increased from C3 vertebrae (Mean±SD=15.71 mm) to C6 vertebrae (Mean±SD=16.26 mm). Similarly, the transverse diameter of the superior surface also increased from C3 vertebrae (Mean value of 20.24 mm) to C6 vertebrae (Mean value of 23.82 mm). Furthermore, the transverse diameter of the inferior surface increased from C3 vertebrae (Mean±SD=19.35 mm) to C6 vertebrae (Mean±SD=22.99 mm). However, the height of vertebral bodies was found minimum in C5 vertebrae (Mean±SD=10.69 mm) and maximum in C3 vertebrae (Mean±SD=12.04 mm). Conclusion: The dimensions of morphometric parameters observed in the present study were differing from those reported by studies carried out in south Indian population and in the Western world. However, the study did not find any significant side differences in morphometric parameters of bodies of typical cervical vertebrae. Population-specific normal data are reported in this study for the first time.