Abstract

Background:Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgery includes several decompressive
and stabilising operations, including transarticular screw fixation of the atlas vertebra
and axis vertebra (C1 and C2) and posterior screw placement on the lateral mass. These
operations, in turn, usually target the C1, which is a critical component of the CVJ's
bony architecture and is regularly targeted. This study will attempt to collect and offer
anatomical data of the atlas, which may be necessary for planning a surgical approach
and assessing C1 fractures, among other purposes. AIM: The present study was aimed
at making the following observations; To observe and measure specimens of the atlas
vertebra to obtain morphological parameters and the second objective was to provide
anatomic data for planning of a surgical approach to the CVJ.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 120 human dry adult intact atlas
vertebrae collected from the Department of Anatomy, Govt Medical College
Suryapet&VIswabharati Medical College Kurnool, over 18 months.
Results: The transverse process of the atlas has a distance of 58.04 mm to 81.51 mm.
The atlas' mean width was 70.8 mm. The majority of the atlas was 65-74.42 mm wide
(51 percent ). The foramen transversarium measured 5.14-8.55 mm in diameter on the
right and 5.21-9.27 mm on the left. The difference was not statistically significant. The
superior articular facet shape varied widely. Superior articular facets were oval, kidney,
bi-lobed, and dumb-bell shaped. The most prevalent kind was oval-shaped (65 percent
right and 75 percent left). The least prevalent kind was the bi-lobed superior articular
facet, with 7.5% on the right and 3.335% on the left. The inferior articular facets were
round and uniform in outline.
Conclusion: The present study adds up to the existing knowledge regarding the
anatomy of the atlas vertebra. Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the atlas vertebra is
essential for the diagnosis and management of CVJ disorders.