title: Bergmann's ossicle (ossiculum terminale persistens): a brief review and differentiation from other findings of the odontoid process.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper was to review the literature on Bergmann's ossicle and provide an overview on its development, etiology, and clinical presentation while also differentiating it from similar structural anomalies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A thorough review of the literature available on Bergmann's ossicle was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bergmann's ossicle, also referred to as ossiculum terminale persistens, was defined as a developmental anomaly of the odontoid process in which an ossification center that gives rise to the tip of the dens fails to fuse properly with the body of the axis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bergmann's ossicle is most often a benign condition, although it rarely may present with clinical symptoms such as neck pain and neurological signs. It may be associated with Down's syndrome and contribute to atlantoaxial instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue, St. George's, Grenada. jas.johal101@gmail.com.|Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA. jas.johal101@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jaspreet
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6941-3597
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johal
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue, St. George's, Grenada.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA.|Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fisahn
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue, St. George's, Grenada.|Swedish Neuroscience Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
keywords: Anatomy; C2; Craniocervical junction; Imaging; Odontoid process; Vertebra