title: The odontoid process: a comprehensive review of its anatomy, embryology, and variations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The odontoid process is a critical component of the cranio-cervical junction. Therefore, clinicians who diagnose, treat, or operate this region need a strong background in regard to the embryology, anatomy, and anatomical variations that may be seen for the odontoid process.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was performed, using standard search engines, to explore the morphology, embryology, and anatomical variants of the odontoid process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A sound understanding of the development of the odontoid process, both in normal and in variant forms, as well as its phenotypical morphology is a prerequisite for the diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting with disorders affecting the cranio-cervical spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.
authors.forename: Seleipiri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akobo
authors.affiliation: Neurological Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rizk
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jens R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA. shane.tubbs@childrensal.org.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Congenital; Dens; Development; Imaging; Morphology; Pathology