Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41511524›Full record

ArticleSurgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA2026

Unilateral arcuate foramen with a posteriorly projecting vertebral artery loop between C1-C2: a rare anatomical variation.

Yixuan Zeng, Bin Hu, Guodong Sun, Chengzhe Yuan, Yiwen Lin, Dan Chang

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Article in Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yixuan Zeng *The Hospital of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China.
Bin Hu *Heping Hospital of Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, China.
Guodong SunChangzhi Medical College, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, China.
Chengzhe YuanChangzhi Medical College, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, China.
Yiwen LinChangzhi Medical College, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, China.
Dan ChangThe Hospital of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China. 1003930495@qq.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo describe the morphological features of this rare anatomical variation and to evaluate its significance in relation to embryological development, potential pathological consequences, and surgical considerations.

methodsA detailed anatomical dissection of the craniovertebral junction was conducted. Morphometric analysis was conducted to document the characteristics of the arcuate foramen and the course of the vertebral artery, with emphasis on osseous bridging and vascular loop.

resultsOn the right side, two osseous bridges (ponticulus posticus and ponticulus lateralis) were identified between the lateral mass of the atlas and both its posterior arch and transverse process. The ipsilateral vertebral artery demonstrated a pronounced posterior loop-like tortuosity in its course between the transverse foramen of the axis and that of the atlas.

conclusionThis first reported case of a concurrent arcuate foramen and posterior vertebral artery loop at C1-C2 level significant challenges for surgical planning and procedures. It emphasizes that recognizing such complex variations through careful imaging is essential for safe intervention at the craniovertebral junction.

Indexed as

Anatomic VariationCervical AtlasCervical VertebraeVertebral ArteryCadaverDissectionHumansAnatomyArcuate foramenVariationVertebral artery loop

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.