INTRODUCTIONFirst cervical vertebra, i.e. the atlas is ring shaped, with an anterior arch, a posterior arch and two lateral masses. Its transverse processes are large, projecting out laterally and downwards from the lateral masses, they are long, and their anterior and posterior tubercles are fused into one mass. Each transverse process bears a foramen known as foramen transversarium (Figure 1).The second part of the vertebral artery traverses through this foramen before entering the occipital triangle and then the cranial cavity. Many bony variations have been described by different authors.1-3 Scanty literature is available on the absence of costal element of the first cervical vertebra and its impact on the clinical anatomy of this region. Therefore, a study was conducted on fifty atlas vertebrae to look for absence of costal element of foramen transversarium. METHODSFifty dry atlas vertebrae of adult size of unknown sex but of a mixed North Indian population were obtained from the department of Anatomy, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, for the present study. Broken or incomplete atlases were excluded from the study. Presence or absence of foramen transversarium was grossly looked for and the boundaries carefully noted in hundred transverse processes of 50 atlas vertebrae. ABSTRACT Background:Since scanty literature is available on the absence of costal element forming foramen transversarium of atlas vertebra therefore this study was undertaken. Atlas vertebrae were examined to see the presence of foramen transversarium and their boundaries. Methods: Hundred foramina transversaria of 50 atlas vertebrae were examined grossly. Results: Foramen transversarium was seen to be present in all the transverse processes of the atlas vertebrae examined. Costal element was found to be missing in seven foramina tranversaria out of 100 foramina seen. It was found to be absent on the right side in three vertebrae and in two it was absent bilaterally. Conclusions:In case the costal element of the foramen transversarium is absent, the second part of vertebral artery passing through this foramen is liable to be damaged while operating at the level of atlanto-occipital joint the operating surgeon should be aware of such variations so as to avoid injury of second part of vertebral artery and subsequently preventing any kind of neurological involvement. Radiologists must also know about such variations so as to correctly interpret radiological image of the craniovertebral region.

The sacra were grossly examined. Twenty sacra were damaged therefore were excluded from the study. Ultimately, sixty sacra were seen. The number of dorsal sacral foramina in each of the remaining sacrum was counted. The result obtained was analyzed and discussed. RESULTS Sixty adult dry human sacra were examined. Three pairs of dorsal sacral foramina were present lateral to intermediate crest in 4 sacra (6.6%) (Figure 3) and five ABSTRACT Lateral side of each intermediate crest has four dorsal sacral foramina for the passage of posterior division of the sacral nerves. Not only they serve as an important landmark in placement of spinal instrumentation but are also of great importance in transsacral block of sacral nerves for producing analgesia and anesthesia in pelvic surgeries. Therefore a study on the variation in number of dorsal sacral foramina was conducted in 60 adult dry North Indian sacra. Three dorsal sacral foramina were seen on the lateral side of each intermediate crest in four sacra (6.6%) and five in 6 sacra (10%) amongst all the sacra examined. Either a single pair, double pair or totally absent foramina were not observed in any of the sacra seen. This study revealed that there is variation in the number of dorsal sacral foramina. Anaesthetists should be aware of this disparity to be able to perform trans-sacral nerve block successfully. Radiologists must also know about this variation to interpret the radiographs of lumbosacral region. Neurologist and orthopedist should also be cognizant of this fact to diagnose patients presenting with bizarre clinical findings.

No abstract

Literature search did not reveal any data on the presence of this foramen in the adult North Indian population. Therefore, sixty North Indian adult human skulls were examined for the presence of foramen of Huschke. The shape, size and the side to which it belonged to were noted and analyzed. ABSTRACT Background:The deficiency in the antero-inferior wall of the bony part of external auditory canal (EAC) closes by 5 years of age but if it persists beyond that age it is called foramen of Huschke. Depending on the population studied, persistence of this foramen has been seen in 0-67% of adult crania. Review of literature revealed that no data was available in North Indian population; therefore the present study is being undertaken. Methods: Sixty North Indian adult human crania were examined and the presence of foramen of Huschke was noted. The side to which it belonged to, its shape and size were observed. Size of the foramen was measured using vernier caliper. Results: Out of sixty North Indian adult human crania seen, foramen of Huschke was present in 14 crania. It was observed unilaterally in 10 crania and bilaterally in 4. Although different shapes of the foramen like pin point, pin head, circular, irregular and U shape were observed but in majority of cases it was U shaped. Its size varied from pin point-10 mm transversely and pin point to 9 mm longitudinally. Conclusion: This study revealed that about 23% of North Indian adult human crania have foramen of Huschke. Persistent foramen of Huschke in the adult life may be involved in different abnormalities of the EAC and may lead to otological complications. Therefore, ENT surgeons should be aware of persistent foramen of Huschke and keep it as one of the possible diagnoses while dealing with patients presenting with otological complications. Also the surgeons should be careful while performing endoscopy of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) so that accidental damage of TMJ can be prevented.

No abstract