Arcuate foramen explained
In human anatomy, arcuate foramen, also known as ponticulus posticus (Latin for "little posterior bridge") or Kimmerle's anomaly,[1] refers to a bony bridge on the atlas (C1 vertebra) that covers the groove for the vertebral artery. It is a common anatomical variation and estimated to occur in approximately 3-15% of the population.[2] [3] [4] It occurs in females more commonly than males.[3] [5] The ponticulus posticus is created through ossification of the posterior atlantooccipital ligament.
Pathology
The presence of arcuate foramen is associated with headache, musculoskeletal pain[3] and vertebrobasilar stroke.[2]
References
- Koutsouraki E, Avdelidi E, Michmizos D, Kapsali SE, Costa V, Baloyannis S. Kimmerle's anomaly as a possible causative factor of chronic tension-type headaches and neurosensory hearing loss: case report and literature review. 20374094 . 10.3109/00207451003597193. 120. 3. 2010. Int. J. Neurosci.. 236–9. 37294923 .
- Cushing K, Ramesh V, Gardner-Medwin D, Todd N, Gholkar A, Baxter P, Griffiths P . Tethering of the vertebral artery in the congenital arcuate foramen of the atlas vertebra: a possible cause of vertebral artery dissection in children . Dev Med Child Neurol . 43 . 7 . 491–6 . 2001 . 11463182 . 10.1017/S0012162201000901. Full Text.
- Cakmak O, Gurdal E, Ekinci G, Yildiz E, Cavdar S . Arcuate foramen and its clinical significance . Saudi Med J . 26 . 9 . 1409–13 . 2005 . 16155658.
- Young J, Young P, Ackermann M, Anderson P, Riew K . The ponticulus posticus: implications for screw insertion into the first cervical lateral mass . J Bone Joint Surg Am . 87 . 11 . 2495–8 . 2005 . 16264126 . 10.2106/JBJS.E.00184.
- Stubbs D . The arcuate foramen. Variability in distribution related to race and sex . Spine . 17 . 12 . 1502–4 . 1992 . 1471009 . 10.1097/00007632-199212000-00010. 33676985 .
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