Morphometry of the Uncinate Process, Vertebral Body, and Lamina of the C3–7 Vertebrae Relevant to Cervical Spine Surgery

OBJECTIVE: The cervical spine consists of 4 typical and 3 atypical vertebrae. The uncinate process is one of the unique features of the cervical vertebrae. Uncinectomy and uncoforaminotomy are widely used to decompress the nerve in the intervertebral foramen and to remove osteophytes from the uncinate process. Morphometric analyses of the uncinate process help spine surgeons obtain a 3-dimensional orientation for approaching the cervical spine with minimal risk to the surrounding vascular and neural structures. This study aims to analyze the morphometry of uncinate process of cervical vertebrae with relevant to cervical spine surgery. METHODS: Eighty dry adult cervical vertebrae were studied, and 11 parameters were measured. Seven parameters were paired and 4 were unpaired. RESULTS: The height of the uncinate process progressively increased from C3 to C6 and decreased at C7. The length of the uncinate process increased from C3 to C6-7. The width was greatest at C6 and smallest at C3. The vertebral body width and anteroposterior diameter gradually increased from C3 to C7. The parameters of the lamina also increased from C3 to C7. CONCLUSION: Precise knowledge about the cervical vertebrae is useful for diagnosing both common and uncommon causes of symptoms and for choosing an appropriate approach. Thus, it helps to increase the success rate of cervical surgery.