OBJECTIVETo observe and measure specimen of Chinese atlas to obtain morphological parameter, providing anatomic data for designing bionic plating of anterior arch of atlas.

METHODSThe anatomic parameters of 48 sets of fresh Chinese adults' atlas specimens were measured with a electric digital caliper and a goniometer, including width of anterior arch of atlas (AW), thickness of atlas at the junction of anterior arch and lateral mass (AD), thickness and height of anterior tubercle of atlas (AT and AH), middle height, length and width of the lateral mass (MHL, L and LW), the extraversion angle of lateral mass of atlas (alpha degrees) and so on. The data were statistically analyzed in order to ascertain the range of morphological parameter of bionic plating of anterior arch of atlas.

RESULTSThe measurement results showed that AW was (20.68 +/- 1.38) mm, AD was (3.86 +/- 1.42) mm, AT was (8.65 +/- 1.88) mm, AH was (10.36 +/- 1.49) mm, MHL was (12.82 +/- 1.76) mm, LW was (12.86 +/- 1.63) mm, the extraversion angle of lateral mass of atlas (alpha degrees) was (13.84 +/- 1.73) degrees. The plating was composed of connecting plate of anterior arch of atlas and fixing plate of atlas lateral mass in bilateral.

CONCLUSIONThe designation of bionic plating of anterior arch of atlas is feasible on morphology. The bionic plating of anterior arch of atlas can not only rebuild the stability of atlas, but also reserve the rotation function between atlas and axis. The plating could be used for patient suffering from instability of upper cervical because of atlas affection.