Bilateral absence of foramen transversarium in atlas vertebra: a case report

Atlas is the first cervical vertebra. It does not have a body like other cervical vertebrae. It has two transverse processes, each one of which bears a foramen transversarium. The vertebral artery passes through this foramen.We noticed a bilateral absence of foramen transversarium in an atlas vertebra during osteology demonstration classes. The knowledge of this variation may be of importance during the interventions to that area and also of interest for anthropologists.