Abnormalities of the first cervical vertebra in a Muslim community from Dobruja (Southeastern Romania): a case study
Abnormalities of the first cervical vertebra in a Muslim community from Dobruja (Southeastern Romania): a case study

Summary/Abstract: The individuals buried in the 18th-19th century Muslim cemetery from Constanța Boreal show, in addition to numerous dental and bone pathological changes, traumas, and anomalies, some congenital defects identified in two skeletons, after the examination of a third of the individuals. The lack of fusion identified in the middle of the anterior arch of the atlas vertebra is an unusual condition, especially since malformations of the first cervical vertebra are not commonly found in human skeletal material. The two anterior clefts presented in this study are the first anomalies of this type identified in ancient Romania`s populations. Nevertheless, defects of the anterior arch of the atlas could represent asymptomatic incidental findings on routine radiographs. Knowledge of this abnormality and its causative factors will contribute to a better understanding of spinal variations and malformations.

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