European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF CERVICAL VERTEBRA OF A NIGERIAN POPULATION TOWARDS CORRECTING CERVICAL INSTABILITIES

Michael Omonkheoa Oyakhire*, Lucky Somiari Harcourt and Oghenefego Michael Adheke

ABSTRACT

Objective: The understanding of the morphology of the cervical vertebra is important towards addressing cervical spine instabilities that may be faced by different racial populations. This study was aimed at evaluating the morphometry of C3 – C7 vertebra of a Nigerian population in order to provide a guide for correcting these instabilities during surgical operations of the cervical spine. Materials and Methods: With the aid of a digital vernier caliper, processed cervical bones of a total of 30 male adult cadavers were measured to the nearest 0.01mm. All linear measurements of the cervical vertebra were obtained and analyzed. All vertebras were fully ossified with no history of surgical spine operation. Results: The average values for all morphometric parameters of vertebral bodies were as follows; AVBH: 13.88mm, PVBH: 12.83mm, SVBW: 18.75mm, MVBW: 17.74mm, IVBW: 20.84mm. Mean values of pedicular measurements include; PH-L: 9.23mm, PH-R: 9.29mm, PW-L: 5.57mm, PW-R: 5.86mm. While the mean values of lamina measurements were; LH-L: 12.28mm, LH-R: 12.13mm, LL-L: 13.22mm, LL-R: 13.38mm, LT-L: 3.61mm and LT-R: 3.71mm. The dimensions of the C7 verterbra were significantly larger (p < 0.05) compared to other vertebra. In comparison to other racial populations, vertebral body height values in this present study were slightly lower compared to other studies, however, pedicle morphometric dimensions of this study were slightly higher. Conclusion: This study has been able to generate reference values for evaluating and treating cervical spine instabilities and determine the significance of the anatomic structures in cervical region in a Nigerian population.

Keywords: Cervical, Instabilities, Pedicle, Vertebral, Lamina, Morphometry.