Arcuate foramen
Last revised by Bahman Rasuli on 8 Jun 2023
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Sorrentino S, Rasuli B, Weerakkody Y, et al. Arcuate foramen. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 05 Dec 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-16413
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rID:
16413
Article created:
16 Jan 2012, Sajoscha A. Sorrentino
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Sajoscha A. Sorrentino had no recorded disclosures.
View Sajoscha A. Sorrentino's current disclosuresLast revised:
8 Jun 2023, Bahman Rasuli ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Bahman Rasuli had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Bahman Rasuli's current disclosuresRevisions:
25 times, by 13 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Tags:
Synonyms:
- Arcuate foramina
- Foramen arcuale atlantis
- Ponticulus posticus
- Arcuate foramena
- Posterior ponticle
- Kimerle anomaly
The arcuate foramen (foramen arcuate atlantis, ponticulus posticus or posterior ponticle, or Kimerle anomaly) is a frequently encountered normal variant of the atlas and is easily appreciated on a lateral plain film of the craniocervical junction.
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Epidemiology
Incidence is ~8% (range 1-15%) and it is more common in females.
Gross anatomy
The arcuate foramen develops by calcification of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane. The atlantic portion (V3) of the vertebral arteries pass through this foramen. It has a variable morphology, can be complete or incomplete and may be unilateral or bilateral.
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
- complete or incomplete bony arch is seen over the posterosuperior aspect of the atlas on lateral projections
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Orthofer P. Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie. Wirbelsäule und Thorax. Thieme Georg Verlag. ISBN:3131261919. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Sharma V, Chaudhary D, Mitra R. Prevalence of ponticulus posticus in Indian orthodontic patients. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2010;39 (5): 277-83. doi:10.1259/dmfr/16271087 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 3. Pyo J, Lowman RM. The ponticulus posticus of the first cervical vertebra. Radiology. 1959;72 (6): 850-4. Radiology (citation) - Pubmed citation
- 4. Cakmak O, Gurdal E, Ekinci G et-al. Arcuate foramen and its clinical significance. Saudi Med J. 2007;26 (9): 1409-13. Pubmed citation
- 5. Dennis M. Marchiori. Clinical Imaging. ISBN: 9780323022644
- 6. Yochum T, Rowe, L. Yochum and Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology. 3rd edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2005.
- 7. Frank Henry Netter. Atlas of Human Anatomy. ISBN: 9780808923848
Incoming Links
Articles:
Cases:
- Arcuate foramen
- Arcuate foramen
- Ponticulus posticus
- Arcuate foramen
- Ponticulus posticus
- Hangman fracture with incidental arcuate foramen
- Arcuate foramen
- Kimerle anomaly
- Posterior ponticle - illustration
- Ponticulus posticus
- Arcuate foramen
- Arcuate foramen
- Left arcuate foramen
- Foramen arcuate atlantis
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