Abstract
The lateral ponticle and epitransverse process are rare anatomical variations found on the atlas vertebra of the cervical spine. When a lateral ponticle occurs, an abnormal bony bridge extends from the superior articular facet to the transverse process. This bony bridge bisects the transverse foramen wherein the vertebral artery normally lies. In this case report, we describe a C1 specimen from an adult male with a lateral ponticle on the right side and an epitransverse process on the left side. Additionally, an articular facet-like structure was also found on the lateral ponticle’s surface. Relevant literature regarding the lateral ponticle across age groups, sex, race, and species is also reviewed. We postulate that genesis of the lateral ponticle of the atlas occurs in utero, specifically during the lateral ossification of the ventral sclerotomes. To our knowledge, an articular facet-like structure on such a ponticle has not been reported previously. Moreover, simultaneous occurrence of a lateral ponticle and contralateral epitransverse process has, to our knowledge, not been reported before.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Afsharpour S, Hoiriis KT, Fox RB, Demons S (2016) An anatomical study of arcuate foramen and its clinical implications: a case report. Chiro Man Ther 24(1):4. doi:10.1186/s12998-016-0082-2
Farman AG, Nortjé CJ, De Joubert V (1979) Radiographic profile of the first cervical vertebra. J Anat 128(3):595–600
Geist JR, Geist S-MRY, Lin L-M (2014) A cone beam CT investigation of ponticulus posticus and lateralis in children and adolescents. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 43:20130451
Kaushal P (2010) Epitransverse process: a rare outgrowth from atlas vertebra. IJAV 3:108–109
Kim MS (2015) Anatomical variant of the atlas: arcuate foramen, occipitalization of atlas, and defect of posterior arch of atlas. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 58(6):528–533
Le Minor J-M, Trost O (2004) Bony ponticles of the atlas (C1) over the groove for the vertebral artery in humans and primates: polymorphism and evolutionary trends. Am J Phys Anthropol 125:16–29
Morikawa K (1958) Kantsuiyugou no Hachirei ni tsuite. Tokyo Jikeikai Ika Daigaku Kaibougaku Kyoshitsu Gyosekishu 19:1–4
Muraki T (1964) Kantochihou Nihonjin Kantsui no Kaibougakutekikenkyu. Tokyo Jikeikai Ika Daigaku Kaibougaku Kyoshitsu Gyosekishu 25:1–7
Paraskevas G, Papaziogas B, Tsonidis C, Kapetanos G (2005) Gross morphology of the bridges over the vertebral artery groove on the atlas. Surg Radiol Anat 27:129–136
Ruprecht A, Nashashibi I, Lambourne A (1988) Ponticles of the atlas. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 17:67–71
Standring S (2016) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Tubbs RS, Johnson PC, Shoja MM, Loukas M, Oakes WJ (2007a) Foramen Arcuale: anatomical study and review of the literature. J Neurosurg Spine 6(1):31–34
Tubbs RS, Shoja MM, Shokouhi G, Farahani RM, Loukas M, Oakes WJ (2007b) Simultaneous lateral and posterior ponticles resulting in the formation of a vertebral artery tunnel of the atlas: case report and review of the literature. Folia Neuropathol 45(1):43–46
Vanitha Chandrika GT, Kadlimatti HS (2014) Bilateral posterior and lateral ponticles resulting in the formation of vertebral artery canal for the atlas: case report. IOSR-JDMS 13(5):82–84
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interests
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gonzales, J., Voin, V., Iwanaga, J. et al. Simultaneous lateral ponticle with facet-like depression and epitransverse process of the atlas. Anat Sci Int 92, 383–386 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-017-0393-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-017-0393-y