Double foramen transversaria: An osteological study with clinical implications

Objective: To examine the presence of double foramen transversaria in the human cervical vertebra. Design: An osteological study. Methods: A total of 132 human cervical vertebrae in the osteological section of the Department of Anatomy were taken for the study. The foramen transversarium (FT) was studied on both sides of each cervical vertebra, the anomalies were noted and the specimens were photographed. Results: Out of 132 specimens, double FT was detected unilaterally and bilaterally only in two different cervical vertebrae respectively. Conclusion: FT present on the transverse process of C1-C6 vertebra are known to transmit vertebral artery, veins and sympathetic nerves. These foramina are known to exhibit variations with regard to size, shape and may even be absent or duplicated. The present study on the dried bone specimens, describes double FT bilaterally and unilaterally in two different cervical vertebrae, respectively. The course of vertebral artery may be distorted under such conditions. The normal factors responsible for such anomalies of the FT may be developmental or related to the variations of course of vertebral artery. Anatomical knowledge of variations of FT may be important for clinicians and radiologists for proper interpretation of X ray and CT scans.