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Published in: Child's Nervous System 8/2018

01-08-2018 | Review Paper

A comprehensive review of the clivus: anatomy, embryology, variants, pathology, and surgical approaches

Authors: Rabjot Rai, Joe Iwanaga, Ghaffar Shokouhi, Marios Loukas, Martin M. Mortazavi, Rod J. Oskouian, R. Shane Tubbs

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 8/2018

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Abstract

Introduction

The clivus is a bony structure formed by the fusion of the basioccipital and basispheniod bone at the sphenooccipital synchondrosis. This downward sloping structure from the dorsum sellae to the foramen magnum is derived from mesoderm and ectoderm properties.

Methods

This comprehensive review of the clivus will discuss its basic anatomy, embryology, pathological findings, and surgical implications. The clivus is an endochondral bone, formed under two processes; first, a cartilaginous base is developed, and it is secondly reabsorbed and replaced with bone. Knowledge of its embryological structure and growth of development will clarify the pathogenesis of anatomical variants and pathological findings of the clivus.

Conclusions

Understanding the anatomy including proximity to anatomical structures, adjacent neurovasculature properties, and anatomical variants will aid neurosurgeons in their surgical management when treating pathological findings around the clivus.
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Metadata
Title
A comprehensive review of the clivus: anatomy, embryology, variants, pathology, and surgical approaches
Authors
Rabjot Rai
Joe Iwanaga
Ghaffar Shokouhi
Marios Loukas
Martin M. Mortazavi
Rod J. Oskouian
R. Shane Tubbs
Publication date
01-08-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-018-3875-x

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