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Possible compression of the atlantal segment of the vertebral artery in occipitalisation
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Abstract
Morphometric analysis was performed of the ossified atlanto-occipital articulation of the dry adult male skull, particularly in the region of the posterior arch of the atlas.
The distance between the floor of the right groove for the vertebral artery and the occipital bone was measured using a digital sliding caliper. On the left side, measurements of the diameters of the inlet and outlet of the canal for the vertebral artery were performed using the same technique.
Fusion of the left portion of the posterior arch of the atlas with the occipital bone caused significant narrowing of the space around the normally existing groove for the vertebral artery, and converted it into the canal. The size of the intracranial opening of the canal for the vertebral artery was measured as 3.8 mm x 4.7 mm, whereas the inlet to the canal was 5.4 mm x 7.0 mm. The diameter of the canal decreases, particularly at the entrance into the cranial cavity; therefore, compression of the vertebral artery within the canal seems to be possible. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 287–290)
Abstract
Morphometric analysis was performed of the ossified atlanto-occipital articulation of the dry adult male skull, particularly in the region of the posterior arch of the atlas.
The distance between the floor of the right groove for the vertebral artery and the occipital bone was measured using a digital sliding caliper. On the left side, measurements of the diameters of the inlet and outlet of the canal for the vertebral artery were performed using the same technique.
Fusion of the left portion of the posterior arch of the atlas with the occipital bone caused significant narrowing of the space around the normally existing groove for the vertebral artery, and converted it into the canal. The size of the intracranial opening of the canal for the vertebral artery was measured as 3.8 mm x 4.7 mm, whereas the inlet to the canal was 5.4 mm x 7.0 mm. The diameter of the canal decreases, particularly at the entrance into the cranial cavity; therefore, compression of the vertebral artery within the canal seems to be possible. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 287–290)
Keywords
assimilation of atlas; vertebral artery; basicranium
Title
Possible compression of the atlantal segment of the vertebral artery in occipitalisation
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
287-290
Published online
2011-11-25
Page views
494
Article views/downloads
1491
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2011;70(4):287-290.
Keywords
assimilation of atlas
vertebral artery
basicranium
Authors
J. Skrzat
J. Walocha
G. Goncerz