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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 8/2008

01-11-2008 | Original Article

Morphological parameters of the superior articular facets of the atlas and potential clinical significance

Authors: Georgios Paraskevas, Basilios Papaziogas, Alexandros Tzaveas, Konstantinos Natsis, Sofia Spanidou, Panagiotis Kitsoulis

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 8/2008

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Abstract

Background

Although remarkable investigations exist in regard to the morphology of the superior articular facets of the atlas in the literature, only a few data exist concerning the correlation of these facets with the age of the specimens.

Methods

The superior articular facets of the atlas were studied in 86 dried vertebrae. Several non-metric parameters were recorded, like presence of notches, grooves, complete or partial dissociation, rough surfaces as well as their morphology.

Results

No notch was found in 37.2% of the superior articular facets. The incidence of notch is decreased as the age progresses. No transverse groove was found in 24.4% and the presence is increased with the age. The incidence of complete and partial dissociations was also found to be age-related. The incidence of rough surfaces, which corresponds to the site of maximum weight bear, was found to be increased in the old age. We classified the shape of the facets into the following types: oval-shaped, kidney-shaped, S-like, triangle, circular and two portioned.

Conclusions

We assume that the increase of incidence of the dissociation, the rough surfaces, the grooves and the decrease of notches could be possibly the result of a restriction of the atlanto-occipital motion in the old age.
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Metadata
Title
Morphological parameters of the superior articular facets of the atlas and potential clinical significance
Authors
Georgios Paraskevas
Basilios Papaziogas
Alexandros Tzaveas
Konstantinos Natsis
Sofia Spanidou
Panagiotis Kitsoulis
Publication date
01-11-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 8/2008
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0373-y

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