Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance

Introduction: Uncinate process (UP) is a projection on the posterolateral margins of the superior surface of the body of the cervical vertebra. They are involved in the uncovertabral (Luschka's) joints, with intervertebral foramen in between, which is related to vertebral artery and spinal nerv...

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Main Authors: P Durga, K R Dakshayani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
Series:National Journal of Clinical Anatomy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.njca.info/article.asp?issn=2277-4025;year=2020;volume=9;issue=2;spage=59;epage=62;aulast=Durga
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author P Durga
K R Dakshayani
author_facet P Durga
K R Dakshayani
author_sort P Durga
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Uncinate process (UP) is a projection on the posterolateral margins of the superior surface of the body of the cervical vertebra. They are involved in the uncovertabral (Luschka's) joints, with intervertebral foramen in between, which is related to vertebral artery and spinal nerve roots. Osteophytes of UP cause narrowing of intervertebral foramen, resulting in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Objectives: (1) To measure the morphometric parameters of UP of the cervical vertebra. (2) To classify the cervical vertebra on the basis of the encroachment of UP on the adjacent intervertebral foramen. Materials and Methods: One hundred dry cervical vertebrae were obtained from regions in and around Mysore, Karnataka, India. Measurements were taken using digital Vernier calipers. Results: Mean average values of the parameters are: width – 3.389 ± 0.83 mm (right), 3.389 ± 0.86 mm (left); length – 10.42 ± 1.46 mm (right), 10.64 ± 1.88 mm (left); and height – 5.32 ± 1.36 mm (right), 5.21 ± 1.16 mm (left). Classification of UP according to its encroachment on intervertebral foramen which is traversed by neurovascular structures, which may be compressed. Conclusion: Comparing the results of te present study with previous studies in different regions will help neurosurgeons to determine the boundaries of UP and allow adequate decompression of neural elements with reduced risk of neurovascular structures during anterior decompression of the spine.
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spelling doaj.art-f710b02028bf4843a6771186a70dd31a2022-12-21T22:05:27ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNational Journal of Clinical Anatomy2277-40252321-27802020-01-0192596210.4103/NJCA.NJCA_4_20Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importanceP DurgaK R DakshayaniIntroduction: Uncinate process (UP) is a projection on the posterolateral margins of the superior surface of the body of the cervical vertebra. They are involved in the uncovertabral (Luschka's) joints, with intervertebral foramen in between, which is related to vertebral artery and spinal nerve roots. Osteophytes of UP cause narrowing of intervertebral foramen, resulting in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Objectives: (1) To measure the morphometric parameters of UP of the cervical vertebra. (2) To classify the cervical vertebra on the basis of the encroachment of UP on the adjacent intervertebral foramen. Materials and Methods: One hundred dry cervical vertebrae were obtained from regions in and around Mysore, Karnataka, India. Measurements were taken using digital Vernier calipers. Results: Mean average values of the parameters are: width – 3.389 ± 0.83 mm (right), 3.389 ± 0.86 mm (left); length – 10.42 ± 1.46 mm (right), 10.64 ± 1.88 mm (left); and height – 5.32 ± 1.36 mm (right), 5.21 ± 1.16 mm (left). Classification of UP according to its encroachment on intervertebral foramen which is traversed by neurovascular structures, which may be compressed. Conclusion: Comparing the results of te present study with previous studies in different regions will help neurosurgeons to determine the boundaries of UP and allow adequate decompression of neural elements with reduced risk of neurovascular structures during anterior decompression of the spine.http://www.njca.info/article.asp?issn=2277-4025;year=2020;volume=9;issue=2;spage=59;epage=62;aulast=Durgacervical vertebraosteophyteuncinate process
spellingShingle P Durga
K R Dakshayani
Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
National Journal of Clinical Anatomy
cervical vertebra
osteophyte
uncinate process
title Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
title_full Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
title_fullStr Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
title_full_unstemmed Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
title_short Morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
title_sort morphometric study of uncinate process of cervical vertebra and its surgical importance
topic cervical vertebra
osteophyte
uncinate process
url http://www.njca.info/article.asp?issn=2277-4025;year=2020;volume=9;issue=2;spage=59;epage=62;aulast=Durga
work_keys_str_mv AT pdurga morphometricstudyofuncinateprocessofcervicalvertebraanditssurgicalimportance
AT krdakshayani morphometricstudyofuncinateprocessofcervicalvertebraanditssurgicalimportance