title: Posterior osseous bridging of C1.
abstract: The sulcus of the vertebral artery is located behind the lateral mass of the atlas and in some cases is converted into a foramen by anomalous ossification known as the posterior ponticulus (osseous bridge). This study involved anatomical observations of 158 isolated anatomical specimens of dry C1 vertebrae. The incidence and types of posterior osseous bridging were identified for the 158 dry samples of atlas vertebrae. In nine (5.6%) dry C1 vertebrae, partial osseous bridging was detected (bilaterally in eight vertebrae and unilaterally on the left in one). Complete osseous bridging (arcuate foramen) was observed in six (3.8%) dry C1 vertebrae (bilaterally in one vertebra, unilaterally on the left in three, and on the right in two). Awareness of the types of posterior osseous bridging of C1 in craniocervical junction surgery is essential, and may be helpful in surgical interventions in this region.
authors: Neurosurgery Department, Training and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Serkan
authors: S
authors: Simsek
authors: Kazim
authors: K
authors: Yigitkanli
authors: Ayhan
authors: A
authors: Comert
authors: Halil I
authors: HI
authors: Acar
authors: Hakan
authors: H
authors: Seckin
authors: Uygur
authors: U
authors: Er
authors: Deniz
authors: D
authors: Belen
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Tekdemir
authors: Alaittin
authors: A
authors: Elhan
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure