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Total occipitalization of the atlas

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Abstract

Occipitalization of the atlas is an important congenital malformation of the craniovertebral region because of the proximity to the spinomedullary region. In a sample of 109 human adult skulls of Asian origin examined for evidence of atlanto-occipital fusion, only one specimen exhibited this type of anomaly, in which the atlas was totally synostosed with the occipital bone with multiple bony defects. The embryological basis of this congenital abnormality is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, 2114, 31451, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

    Mohamed Akram Al-Motabagani & Manjappa Surendra

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  1. Mohamed Akram Al-Motabagani
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  2. Manjappa Surendra
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Correspondence to Mohamed Akram Al-Motabagani.

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Al-Motabagani, M.A., Surendra, M. Total occipitalization of the atlas. Anato Sci Int 81, 173–180 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-073X.2006.00129.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-073X.2006.00129.x

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