Block vertebra
Block vertebra is a type of vertebral anomaly where there is a failure of separation of two or more adjacent vertebral bodies.
Pathology
In a block vertebra, there is partial or complete fusion of adjacent vertebral bodies.
Associations
- hemivertebrae/absent vertebra above or below block level and with posterior element fusion
- fusion of multiple cervical vertebral bodies is also seen in Klippel-Feil syndrome
- VACTERL association
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph/CT
- combined vertebrae may be of normal height, short, or tall
- disc space is frequently rudimentary or absent
- the "wasp-waist sign" is seen in congenital block vertebra 4
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Spine
-
osteology
- vertebrae
- spinal canal
- cervical spine
- thoracic spine
- lumbar spine
- sacrum
- coccyx
-
anatomical variants
- vertebral body
- neural arch
- transitional vertebrae
- ossicles
- ossification centres
- intervertebral disc
- articulations
- ligaments
- musculature of the vertebral column
- muscles of the neck
- muscles of the back
-
suboccipital muscle group
- rectus capitis posterior major muscle
- rectus capitis posterior minor muscle
- obliquus capitis superior muscle
- obliquus capitis inferior muscle
- splenius capitis muscle
- splenius cervicis muscle
- erector spinae group
- transversospinalis group
- quadratus lumborum
-
suboccipital muscle group
-
spinal cord
- gross anatomy
-
white matter tracts (white matter)
- anterolateral columns
- lateral columns
-
dorsal columns
- fasiculus gracilis (column of Goll)
- fasiculus cuneatus (column of Burdach)
- grey matter
- nerve root
- spinal meninges and spaces
- functional anatomy
- spinal cord blood supply
- sympathetic chain
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