Occipitalisation of atlas is an osseous anomaly in
the region of the foramen magnum.1 This is important
as skeletal abnormalities at this junction may result in
sudden death.1,2
Material & Methods: During routine undergraduate
osteology teaching, a dry skull with Occipitalisation
of atlas was encountered in the department of
Anatomy, nri medical college, mangalgiri, India.
Results: In this skull, both anterior and posterior
arch along with transverse process of both sides of
atlas were completely fused with occipital bone.
Reduction in diameter of foramen magnum due to
this condition can cause neurological complications
due to compression of spinal cord or medulla
oblongata, vertebral vessels, 1st cervical nerve, this
knowledge of occipitalisation of the atlas is important
toorthopaedicians, neurosurgeons, physicians and
radiologists dealing with abnormalities of the cervical
spine.Key Words: Occipitalisation; Atlas; Assimilation;
Occipital bone; Atlantooccipital fusion.