LAUSR

Address for Correspondence: Jasveen Kaur, Assitant Professor, Department of Anatomy. Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences. Jalandhar, Punjab, India. E-Mail: [email protected] Background: The vertebral canal at the level of atlas and axis vertebrae holds unique and vital anatomy. The knowledge of its various diameters is important in clinical practice. Keeping this in mind a study was carried out on atlas and axis vertebrae. Materials and Methods: Hundred dried human atlas and axis vertebrae ( 50 each) available in the Deptt. of Anatomy, DMCH Ludhiana,were studied. Results: Atlas vertebra: the mean of maximum antero-posterior diameter ( max. APD) and maximum transverse diameter (max. TD) of vertebral canal at superior level was measured as 29.91 ± 2.60mm and 26.56 ± 2.10mm, respectively. The mean of the mean of max. APD and max.TD of vertebral canal at inferior level was measured as 28.81 ± 2.20mm and 26.92 ± 2.50mm, respectively. Axis vertebra: The mean of max.APD and max.TD of vertebral canal at superior level was measured as 19.06 ± 1.83 mm and 23.12 ± 1.75mm, respectively. The mean of max.APD and max.TD of vertebral canal at inferior level was measured as 15.24 ± 1.33 mm and 23.90 ± 1.86mm, respectively. Conclusion: The parameters measured in the present study add to the knowledge in the Indian population.