Anatomical dimensions of the typical cervical vertebrae and their clinical implications

The aim of the present study was to study the dimensions of various parts of the typical cervical vertebrae in anatomical samples. This study included 100 cadaveric dried typical cervical vertebrae, which were obtained at the osteology section. This study lacks the information on sex and chronological number of cervical vertebrae being studied. The dimensions of different parts of vertebrae like the body, pedicle, spinous process, laminae and articular facets were measured. The data of the right and left sides were statistically analysed by using the software ‘EZR’ (version 1.38, 2019). The shapes of the superior and inferi- or articular facets were macroscopically observed. The mean height of the typical cervical vertebra was 10.92 ± 1.35 mm; the vertebral body anteroposterior length was 14.79 ± 1.96 mm and 15.56 ± 1.95 mm at the superior and inferior borders; the vertebral body transverse length was 23.22 ± 2.16 mm and 19.88 ± 2.38 mm at the superior and inferior borders respectively; the spinous process length was 15.25 ± 4.25 mm; the vertebral foramen anteroposterior and transverse length were 12.33 ± 1.68 mm and 21.98 ± 1.82 mm respectively. The pedicle length was more (p>0.05) at the right side than the left. In the remaining pa rameters of the paired structures, there was no statistically significant difference observed (p<0.05). The morphometric data of the present study will enlighten the operating spine surgeon during procedures like internal fixation and decom-pression procedures of fracture spine. We believe that the surgical implants should be devised as per the morphometric data of the particular population.