Preliminary study on foramen transversarium of typical cervical vertebrae in KwaZulu-Natal population: Age and gender related changes

Abstract

Background: Foramen transversarium (FT) is a distinguishing characteristic of cervical vertebrae based on the vertebral vessels and sympathetic nerve it transmits. Aim: This study aimed to analyse the morphometric parameters and variations of FT of the typical cervical vertebrae with regards to sex, age, and laterality within the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) population, South Africa. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty dried human typical cervical vertebrae of the KZN population of known sex and age without any degeneration were sourced from the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The osteometry analyses were performed using Markus Bader (MB) Ruler and subjected to RStudio statistical analysis. Results: Rounded (43.85%) or ellipsoid transversely (23.85%) shapes FTs were predominant in males and on the right side (46.16%). Morphometric indices were higher in males on the right side in age groups 20 to under 60 years. An unusually high prevalence of double foramen (36.92%) was present in about one-third of the specimen with a higher percentage in males and bilateral in about 10%. Conclusion: This study has provided a good basis on morphometric analysis and variations of FT with regards to specific sex, age group, and laterality.

Keywords

• Foramen transversarium
• Cervical vertebrae
• Morphometry
• Sex
• Age