Foramen Transversarium’larında Kostal Elementleri Bilateral Olarak Bulunmayan Bir Atlas Olgusu

Abstract

We detected an atlas vertebra of which costal elements of its foramen transversarium were not developed bilaterally. The costal element is an arch of bone that form the anterior portion of foramen transversarium. The vertebral arteries running towards cranial cavity are surrounded and protected by foramina transversarium of upper six cervical vertebrae. Surgeons should be aware of this variation before operations to neck region, because the vertebral arteries may easily be injured due to lack of anterior bony protection of the costal elements. As well as the vertebral artery, the nerve plexus around vertebral artery may also be responsible of some complications due to failure of this bony protection.