Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample

Background: This exploratory quantitative study examined the relationship between the transverse foramen (TF) and the anomalous arcuate foramen (AF) in the atlas vertebrae of a South African skeletal population comprising two cohorts, namely an AF-Present (AF-P) groups (n = 60) and an AF-Absent (AF-...

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Main Authors: Glen J. Paton, Keegan G. Reynolds, Shahed Nalla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Translational Research in Anatomy
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000159
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author Glen J. Paton
Keegan G. Reynolds
Shahed Nalla
author_facet Glen J. Paton
Keegan G. Reynolds
Shahed Nalla
author_sort Glen J. Paton
collection DOAJ
description Background: This exploratory quantitative study examined the relationship between the transverse foramen (TF) and the anomalous arcuate foramen (AF) in the atlas vertebrae of a South African skeletal population comprising two cohorts, namely an AF-Present (AF-P) groups (n = 60) and an AF-Absent (AF-A) control group (n = 60). Methods: The study analyzed the size relationship between the AF, and ipsilateral and contralateral TF. Potential correlations between TF dimensions and AF presence were evaluated using metric and non-metric shape assessments. Results: In the AF-P cohort, the mean surface area of the left AF measured 31.46 mm2, and the left TF measured 31.52 mm2. The mean surface area size of the right AF was 30.96 mm2, while the right TF measured 30.24 mm2. The TF mean surface area in the AF-P group was larger than the AF-A group, with mean areas of 2.57 mm2 and 1.78 mm2 larger (left: 28.95 mm2 and right: 28.46 mm2, respectively). Males exhibited significantly larger TFs than females on the right side for anteroposterior, transverse and surface area measurements. The surface area of the right AF correlated strongly with the width and surface area of the left TF, and only the surface area of the right TF. Conclusion: The general trend was that when the right AF surface area increased, as did the dimensions of the TF bilaterally. These findings highlight the clinical relevance of the size-relationship of AF and TF size variations, which may affect vertebral artery dynamics with movements or cervical spine manipulation.
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spelling doaj-art-d3e5d21330d54e9daf97de7c4d526ec52025-08-20T02:29:20ZengElsevierTranslational Research in Anatomy2214-854X2025-06-013910039610.1016/j.tria.2025.100396Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sampleGlen J. Paton0Keegan G. Reynolds1Shahed Nalla2Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Gauteng, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Chiropractic, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Gauteng, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, Gauteng, Johannesburg, South Africa; Corresponding author.Background: This exploratory quantitative study examined the relationship between the transverse foramen (TF) and the anomalous arcuate foramen (AF) in the atlas vertebrae of a South African skeletal population comprising two cohorts, namely an AF-Present (AF-P) groups (n = 60) and an AF-Absent (AF-A) control group (n = 60). Methods: The study analyzed the size relationship between the AF, and ipsilateral and contralateral TF. Potential correlations between TF dimensions and AF presence were evaluated using metric and non-metric shape assessments. Results: In the AF-P cohort, the mean surface area of the left AF measured 31.46 mm2, and the left TF measured 31.52 mm2. The mean surface area size of the right AF was 30.96 mm2, while the right TF measured 30.24 mm2. The TF mean surface area in the AF-P group was larger than the AF-A group, with mean areas of 2.57 mm2 and 1.78 mm2 larger (left: 28.95 mm2 and right: 28.46 mm2, respectively). Males exhibited significantly larger TFs than females on the right side for anteroposterior, transverse and surface area measurements. The surface area of the right AF correlated strongly with the width and surface area of the left TF, and only the surface area of the right TF. Conclusion: The general trend was that when the right AF surface area increased, as did the dimensions of the TF bilaterally. These findings highlight the clinical relevance of the size-relationship of AF and TF size variations, which may affect vertebral artery dynamics with movements or cervical spine manipulation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000159
spellingShingle Glen J. Paton
Keegan G. Reynolds
Shahed Nalla
Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample
Translational Research in Anatomy
title Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample
title_full Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample
title_fullStr Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample
title_full_unstemmed Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample
title_short Size-relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern South African skeletal population sample
title_sort size relationship between transverse and arcuate foramina of atlas vertebrae in a modern south african skeletal population sample
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000159
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