A Study of Ponticulus Posterior of Atlas: Incidence and Clinical Co-Relations

Ponticulus posterior of Atlas

Abstract

Introduction:The posterior ponticulus or foramen arcuale is caused due to ossification of the connective tissue around the vertebral artery (VA). Formation of a complete foramen may disturb normal functioning of VA. Aims and Objectives: The study was done to investigate the incidence of ponticulus posterior in dry atlas vertebrae.Subjects and Methods:50 dry human atlas vertebrae were examined from the bone collections in Dr RML Institute of Medical Sciences, Eras Lucknow medical college and Saraswati Dental College, Lucknow. The presence of ponticulus posterior was looked for and documented with photographs.Results:The presence of this accessory foramen on the dorsal arch was the only anomaly found in these vertebrae. The study showed the presence of a unilateral foramen in two vertebrae and one vertebra showed the anomaly bilaterally out of these one was a completely occluded ponticulus with an incidence of 6%.Conclusion:The study provides evidence about the incidence of ponticulus posterior in the North Indian population. The clinicians should be aware of the possibility of this foramen in patients complaining of headache, vertigo and vertebrobasiliar insufficiency.