title: Cervical spine synostosis: an anatomical study with emphasis on embryological and clinical aspects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to study the anatomical features of fused vertebra in the cervical region.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 363 cervical vertebras which were macroscopically observed for the fusion and their morphology was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among our specimens, one fusion was observed between the C1 and C2 and the other was between C2 and C3. The mean anteroposterior diameter of normal atlas and axis were 42.1 +/- 0.9 mm and 46 +/- 0.5 mm respectively. The fused C1-C2 had 39 +/- 0.6 mm anteroposterior diameter. The mean lengths of anterior arch of normal atlas and body of axis were 16 +/- 0.9 mm and 23 +/- 0.7 mm respectively and the fused C1-C2 body length was 30 +/- 0.3 mm. The mean anteroposterior diameter of normal C2 and C3 vertebra were 46 +/- 0.5 mm and 47 +/- 0.8 mm respectively and of fused C2-C3 was 44 +/- 0.2 mm. The body length of C2 was 23 +/- 0.7 mm and C3 was 33 +/- 0.1 mm. The body length of fused C2-C3 was 36 +/- 0.8 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study has provided additional information on the anatomy, morphology of cervical spine synostosis with their embryological basis and clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Manipal University, Centre for Basic Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Bejai, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vadgaonkar
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Murlimanju
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: L V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Goveas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology; D013580:Synostosis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology*