The archaeological excavations carried out in the plague cemetery of 16th century Alghero (Sardinia) brought to light the skeletal remains of 200 individuals, among whom two cases of anomalies of the atlas were observed. The complete skeleton of a male aged 20-30 years showed a posterior schisis of the first cervical vertebra, consisting of failure of the midline fusion of the two hemiarches with a small gap. This type of anomaly has a current occurrence of approximately 4% and its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Posterior arch schisis is attributed to the defective or absent development of the cartilaginous preformation of the arch rather than to a disturbance of the ossification. This defect, generally asymptomatic, is considered a benign anatomical variation. The complete skeleton of a male aged 35-45 years showed an occipitalization of the atlas. There is complete fusion of the superior articular facets of the first cervical vertebra with the occipital condyles, and of the anterior arch with the anterior rim of the foramen magnum; the left posterior arch presents no evidence of fusion with the posterior margin of the foramen magnum. Slight tilting of the atlas toward the left side is appreciable. Occipitalization is associated with posterior spondiloschisis of the atlas. No fusions were observed in the other preserved vertebrae. These two individuals showed no other congenital anomalies. The small number of published osteoarchaeological cases of congenital anomalies of the atlas makes any report important.

Defects of the atlas from 16th century Sardinia (Italy)

GIUFFRA, VALENTINA;
2015-01-01

Abstract

The archaeological excavations carried out in the plague cemetery of 16th century Alghero (Sardinia) brought to light the skeletal remains of 200 individuals, among whom two cases of anomalies of the atlas were observed. The complete skeleton of a male aged 20-30 years showed a posterior schisis of the first cervical vertebra, consisting of failure of the midline fusion of the two hemiarches with a small gap. This type of anomaly has a current occurrence of approximately 4% and its pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Posterior arch schisis is attributed to the defective or absent development of the cartilaginous preformation of the arch rather than to a disturbance of the ossification. This defect, generally asymptomatic, is considered a benign anatomical variation. The complete skeleton of a male aged 35-45 years showed an occipitalization of the atlas. There is complete fusion of the superior articular facets of the first cervical vertebra with the occipital condyles, and of the anterior arch with the anterior rim of the foramen magnum; the left posterior arch presents no evidence of fusion with the posterior margin of the foramen magnum. Slight tilting of the atlas toward the left side is appreciable. Occipitalization is associated with posterior spondiloschisis of the atlas. No fusions were observed in the other preserved vertebrae. These two individuals showed no other congenital anomalies. The small number of published osteoarchaeological cases of congenital anomalies of the atlas makes any report important.
2015
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/761296
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