title: The Dens: A Review of its Diverse Nomenclature and a Recommended Simplified Terminology.
abstract: Pathology of the dens, such as fractures, demands precise terminology so that communication between physicians are succinct, diagnoses are accurate, and treatment strategies exact. This review aims to summarize the various terms used to describe the parts of the dens and recommend the ideal terminology. Using standard search engines, English language publications were searched for the many terms used to describe parts of the dens. A multitude of terms was identified with many demonstrating overlaps. Terms identified included apex, tip, apicodental, subdental, dentocentral and odontocentral junctions, peg, waist, base, neck, shaft, shoulder, and stem. Exact terminology is necessary when diagnosing or treating patients with pathology of or near the dens. The authors suggest simplified terminology for describing the parts of the dens that can be used in the future in order to be unequivocal and to avoid confusion when classifying and communicating fractures through its parts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Jaspreet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johal
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute ; Department of Trauma Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fisahn
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation.
authors.forename: Brittni
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Spine Surgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Complex Spine, Swedish Neuroscience Institute.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery, Seattle Science Foundation.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
keywords: anatomy; c2 vertebra; craniocervical junction; odontoid process; terminology