Abstract

The atlas vertebra is an atypical cervical vertebra thereby having certain important features to accommodate the widest diameter of spinal cord. Its position is vital as it is closely related to medulla oblongata containing respiratory, cardiac and vascular centers. These centers can get compromised by varying degree of traumatic conditions involving atlanto-axial complex or atlanto- occipital joint pathologies. Therefore, maintaining the stability of this complex is pivotal. Among the various surgical procedures posterior fixation is often adopted to maintain the stability of atlanto occipital joint. The Aim of present study was to perform the morphometrical analysis in dry adult atlas vertebra. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 43 dry, undamaged human Atlas vertebra (C1) of unknown sex, age and race obtained from the bone bank of department of Anatomy, Government medical college Srinagar. Results: The transverse and the anteroposterior diameter of atlas in millimeters (mm) were 79.83 ± 6.59 and 45.52 ± 4.23 respectively, the anteroposterior and the transverse diameter of vertebral canal in millimeters were 3 2 . 6 3 ± 3.07 and 30.21 ± 2.89 respectively. The Length of right and the left vertebral artery groove in millimeters were 15.31 ± 3.81 and 15.91 ± 2.63 respectively. Length and width of right superior articular facet was 21.3 ± 2.46 and 14.73 ± 1.83 respectively and the length and width of right inferior articular facet was 17.14 ± 2.03 and 11.84 ± 2.13 respectively. Length and width of left superior articular facet was 21.03 ± 2.36 and 14.43 ± 2.03 respectively and the length and width of left inferior articular facet was 16.83 ± 2.36 and 10.05 ± 2.31 respectively. Conclusion: The precise knowledge of various morphometric parameters of atlas and their comparison with the studies conducted by other researcher’s will be very benevolent in the manufacturing of instruments related to atlas vertebrae. The current study will contribute to a better knowledge of diverse bone dimensions, which may aid with preoperative planning and diagnostics when operating near vital structures like the vertebral artery and nerve roots.

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