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Related Concept Videos

Articulations of the Vertebral Column01:28

Articulations of the Vertebral Column

In addition to being held together by the intervertebral discs, adjacent vertebrae also articulate with each other at synovial joints formed between the superior and inferior articular processes called zygapophysial joints (facet joints). These are plane joints that provide for only limited motions between the vertebrae. The orientation of the articular processes at these joints varies in different regions of the vertebral column and serves to determine the types of motions available in each...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View01:27

Cranial Bones: Lateral View

The lateral view of the cranium is dominated by temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View01:14

Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View

The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
Cranial and Spinal Meninges01:19

Cranial and Spinal Meninges

The cranial and spinal meninges are complex protective structures surrounding the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. These meninges consist of the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. They protect the CNS, provide structural support, and aid in circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cranial Meninges
These meningeal layers cover the cranium. The dura mater is the outermost layer of cranial meninges. It is a thick and durable membrane of dense...
Anatomical Positions01:11

Anatomical Positions

In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
General Structure of a Vertebra01:30

General Structure of a Vertebra

A typical vertebra, with the exception of the sacrum and coccyx, consists of a body, a vertebral arch, and seven different projections termed processes. The anterior portion of the vertebrae, the body, supports about half the body’s weight. The vertebral bodies progressively increase in size and thickness from the cervical region to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The intervertebral discs present between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae firmly unites them, forming a continuous column.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Prone Lateral Minimally Invasive Retropleural Corpectomy Using a Rotatable Radiolucent Jackson Table
04:57

Prone Lateral Minimally Invasive Retropleural Corpectomy Using a Rotatable Radiolucent Jackson Table

Published on: July 3, 2025

Posterolateral approaches to the craniovertebral junction.

Youssef R Karam1, Arnold H Menezes, Vincent C Traynelis

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

Neurosurgery
|February 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Posterolateral approaches, including the far lateral technique, offer effective surgical access to craniovertebral junction (CVJ) lesions with minimal morbidity. Surgeons should master these posterolateral methods for optimal CVJ lesion treatment.

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Prone Lateral Minimally Invasive Retropleural Corpectomy Using a Rotatable Radiolucent Jackson Table
04:57

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Published on: July 3, 2025

Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
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Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device

Published on: November 8, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine Surgery
  • Surgical Anatomy

Background:

  • The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) presents complex surgical challenges.
  • Posterolateral surgical approaches provide critical access to this region.
  • Understanding these techniques is vital for treating CVJ pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the indications and operative techniques for posterolateral approaches to the CVJ.
  • To highlight the effectiveness and safety of these surgical methods.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of posterolateral approaches to the CVJ.
  • Presentation of illustrative clinical cases.

Main Results:

  • The far lateral approach and its variants (transcondylar, supracondylar, paracondylar) are effective for intradural anterior and anterolateral CVJ lesions.
  • These approaches offer excellent exposure of the lower clivus, foramen magnum, and upper cervical spine.
  • Associated with minimal morbidity and preserved CVJ stability, with watertight dural closure.

Conclusions:

  • Posterolateral approaches are a valuable tool for managing CVJ lesions.
  • Familiarity with these techniques and their modifications is essential for neurosurgeons and spine surgeons treating the CVJ.