The atlanto-axial synostosis - a case of vertebral anomaly.
The subject of this analysis are the first two cervical vertebrae (the atlas and the axis), fused together as consequence of a pathological process. A detailed analysis of the specimen revealed a synostosis which existed between the lateral facets of the atlanto-axial joint. Hence, a fusion between the anterior arch of the atlas and the dens of the axis, and an incomplete ossification of the yellow ligaments was observed. The dimensions of the fused vertebrae, except for the length of the C2 vertebral foramen, remain within the normal range of variation for an adult male. Morphological appearance of the specimen allowed to exclude the congenital nature of the synostosis. Therefore we attribute a post-traumatic etiology to the studied anomaly.
Department of Anatomy Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
Michal
M
Klosinski
Department of Anatomy Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. jskrzat@poczta.onet.pl.
Janusz
J
Skrzat
Department of Anatomy Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
Krzysztof
K
Tomaszewski
Department of Anatomy Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
Mateusz
M
Sporek
Department of Anatomy Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
Jerzy
J
Walocha
D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013580:Synostosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*