Abstract:

Objective　The primary purpose of the current study is to provide more scientific landmarks for safe and efficient decompression within limited operating field in cervical anterior decompression.　Methods　Relative data were observed and measured at C3~7 of 15 adult cadaveric specimens and some data were calculated basing on above data: the ratio of anterior crus of uncinate process-medial border of longus colli muscle distance and medial border of longus colli muscle-median sagittal plane distance(AULD/MLPD), the ratio of anterior crus of uncinate process-medial border of foramen transversarium distance and anterior crus of uncinate process-medial border of longus colli muscle distance(AUTD/AULD), the ratio of anterior crus of uncinate process-lateral border of dural sac perpendicular distance and posterior crus of uncinate process-lateral border of dural sac distance(AUDD/PUDD), and the ratio of the nearest point of uncinate process and nerve root-anterior crus of uncinate process perpendicular distance and anteroposterior crus of uncinate process perpendicular distance(UNAD/APUD). 　Results　AULD/MLPD averaged 0.83 at C3, 0.55 at C4, 0.20 at C5, 0.34 at C6, and 0.27 at C7. AUTD/AULD averaged 2.71, AUDD/PUDD averaged 0.28, and UNAD/APUD averaged 0.34.　Conclusion　Anterior crus of uncinate process is a consistent anatomic landmark at anterior border of cervical vertebrae, which could serve as a stationary and reliable landmark in cervical anterior decompression, and facilitate the location of dural sac, cervical nerve root and vertebral artery during operation according to the ratios of AUDD/PUDD, UNAD/APUD and AUTD/AULD.

Key words: Anterior decompression, Anatomic landmark, Anatomic study, Cervical vertebrae