Anatomical morphological&nbsp; study of the transverse foramina of the axis vertebra

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.1.02

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Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1) : 9-15. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.1.02

Anatomical morphological study of the transverse foramina of the axis vertebra

Li Tianyi¹, Xie Siyuan¹, Lu Xiongguang², Han Yu¹, Li Yikai^1,3*

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the anatomical differences of transverse foramina of axis vertebra through morphological measurements of dry specimens combined with clinical CTA imaging data, to validate the clinical applicability of osteometric findings, and to explore their clinical significance for vertebral artery course and related surgeries. Methods A total of 100 dry adult axis vertebrae (specimen group) and 32 normal adult cervical CTA images (CTA group) were included. The maximum diameter, minimum diameter, and cross-sectional area of superior and inferior apertures of transverse foramina were measured in both groups. The vertebral artery diameter was measured in CTA group. The mean aperture, aspect ratio and coefficient of variation and other related parameters were calculated. Symmetry, morphological characteristics, and developmental coordination were analyzed in specimen group. Morphometric parameters were compared between two groups, and the correlation between vertebral artery diameter and ipsilateral foraminal area was analyzed in normal population. Results In specimen group, transverse foramina demonstrated general bilateral symmetry, but significant left-right differences existed in the minimum diameter and mean diameter of inferior aperture (P<0.05). Significant morphological disparities were found between superior and inferior apertures on the same side (P<0.05), with superior aperture showing greater variability and irregularity. The overall morphological trends were consistent between CTA and specimen groups, but the cross-sectional area of left superior aperture measured by CTA was significantly smaller than that of specimen group (left side r=0.506, right side r=0.516, P<0.05). In CTA group, a moderate but significant positive correlation was found between vertebral artery diameter and cross-sectional area of ipsilateral transverse foramen (r=0.414, P<0.05). Conclusions Transverse foramina of axis exhibit a morphological pattern of a variable superior aperture and a stable inferior aperture. Data from dry bone measurements can serve as a clinical reference, but the smaller effective bony space in vivo must be considered.

Key words

Axis vertebra; / Transverse foramen; / Computed tomography angiography; / Anatomical variation; / / Vertebral artery

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Li Tianyi, Xie Siyuan, Lu Xiongguang, Han Yu, Li Yikai. Anatomical morphological study of the transverse foramina of the axis vertebra[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2026, 44(1): 9-15 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.1.02

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