Applied Anatomy of the Vertebral Artery in Trigone of Vertebral Artery

Objective:To provide anatomical data of the vertebral artery for operation in cervical part. Methods:We selected 64 adult cadavers randomly, dissected the trigone of vertebral artery and disclosed the first segment of vertebral artery. The origin of vertebral artery and the place where vertebral artery entered the transverse foramen of cervical vertebra were observed, the diameter and the length of the first segment of vertebral artery were measured. Results:The origin of left vertebral artery was abnormal in two specimens; the origin of right vertebral artery was abnormal in one specimen. There were seven sides of vertebral artery entering the seventh transverse foramen of cervical vertebra, one side of vertebral artery entering the fourth transverse foramen of cervical vertebra. The diameters of left and right vertebral artery were (4.6±1.1)mm and (4.3±1.0)mm, respectively. The length of the first segment of left and right vertebral artery were (41.9±8.7)mm and (34.3±6.6)mm. Conclusion:There are some variations existing at the origin of vertebral artery and the place of vertebral artery entering the transverse foramen, which should be noticed to avoid being injured in cervical part during the operation.