Variations of Foramen Transversarium in Typical Cervical Vertebrae

Abstract

The cardinal feature of cervical vertebrae is the foramen transversarium, which transmits the vertebral artery, its accompanying vein and a sympathetic plexus from the inferior cervical ganglion. The aim of the present study was to observe the variations in the size and shape and number of foramen transversarium of typical cervical vertebrae. The study material consisted of 176 typical cervical vertebrae of unknown sex and origin, taken from adult dried human bones present in archieve of department of anatomy. The maximum and minimum mean diameters of the foramen transversarium on the right side were 6.54 mm and 5.39 mm respectively. On the left side, the maximum and minimum mean diameters of the foramen transversarium were 6.28 mm and 5.27 mm respectively. The difference of parameters on the right & left side was statistically insignificant. In no case was the foramen transversarium absent though it was asymmetrical in two cervical vertebrae. Accessory foramen transversarium were present in 11 cervical vertebrae which were present bilaterally in 7 and unilaterally in 4 vertebrae (1 right-sided and 3 left-sided). These accessory foramina could be due of remnants of costal element or due to variations in the vertebral vessels. The anatomical knowledge of the variations in the F.T of cervical vertebrae can be of importance to the neurologists, clinicians and radiologists for proper interpretation of X-rays and CT scans. This knowledge can also play an important role in identification of the dead bodies if ante mortem radiographs of the deceased are available for comparison.