The aim of this study was to emphasize the clinical importance of morphometry and the surgical parameters of the cervical vertebrae. The present study was carried out on ninety six adult dry cervical vertebrae (C3-C7, 96) of unknown gender of Turkish population. The various dimensions of the cervical vertebrae (from C3 to C7) were measured with using a digital caliper accurate to 0.01 mm. Linear parameters including vertebral body anteroposterior width (14.03 mm), vertebral body transverse width (24.45 mm); vertebral body height (10.64 mm); pedicle length (R:5.65±1.91 mm, L:5.65±1.76 mm); pedicle width (R:3.72 mm, L:3.61 mm); lamina height (R:9.87 mm, L:9.86 mm); lamina transverse length (R:13.41 mm, L:13.49 mm); superior articular process anteroposterior width (R:7.26 mm, L:7.46 mm); superior articular process transverse diameter (R: 9.87 mm, L:9.58 mm); superior articular process height (R:16.41 mm, L:16.08 mm); inferior articular process anteroposterior width (R: 7.67 mm, L:7.44 mm); inferior articular process transverse diameter (R: 10.32 mm, L:10.09 mm); inferior articular process height (R:12.72 mm, L:12.67 mm); spinous process length (17.91 mm); uncinate process width (R:4.37 mm, L:3.78 mm); uncinate process height (R:4.58 mm, L:3.93 mm); uncinate process length (R:9.28 mm, L:9.12 mm); vertebral foramen anteroposterior width (13.85 mm); vertebral foramen transverse diameter (20.88 mm); foramen transversarium anteroposterior width (R:4.23 mm, L:4.28 mm); foramen transversarium transverse diameter (R:4.78 mm, L:4.95 mm) were measured. Additionally, the distance of the apex of the uncinate process to foramen transversarium (R:2.91 mm, L:2.70 mm), and the distance of the apex of the uncinate process to intervertebral foramen (R: 5.77 mm, L:5.66 mm) were also calculated. There were found significant differences between two sides in the uncinate process width and height, and distance between uncinate process and foramen transversarium. Present measurements suggest that parameters relevant cervical vertebrae can be used as reference and anatomical landmark for evaluating pathologic changes and minimizing complications in the cervical spine.
KEY WORDS: Cervical vertebrae, uncinate process, foramen transversarium, morphometry.
