2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (36): 5766-5772

Characteristics and significance of age-related changes in cervical uncinate process-related angle

Zhang Dezhou1, Wang Chaoqun2, Shi Jun3, Li Kun4, 5, Zhang Shaojie4, 5, Ma Yuan5, Hou Erfei4, Zhao Danyang5, Hao Yunteng1, Wang Simin1, Li Xiaohe4, Wang Haiyan4, Li Zhijun4, 5, Wang Xing4, 5

1Graduate School of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 3Department of Physiology, 4Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 5Center for Digital Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Received:2023-06-27 Accepted:2023-09-18 Online:2024-12-28 Published:2024-02-27
Contact: Wang Xing, PhD, Associate professor, Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Center for Digital Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Li Zhijun, Professor, PhD supervisor, Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Center for Digital Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
About author:Zhang Dezhou, Master candidate, Graduate School of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Wang Chaoqun, Department of Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Supported by:
National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81860383 (to LZJ); Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2020LH08021 (to LZJ); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81860382 (to WX); Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2020MS03061 (to WX); Support Program for Young Scientists and Technologists in Higher Education Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. NJYT22009 (to WX); Science and Technology Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2019GG158 (to WX); Key Project of Scientific Research of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2021ZD011 (to WX); Medical and Health Science and Technology Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Health and Health Commission, No. 202201217 (to WX); Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No. 2019MS08017 (to ZSJ); Youth Fund Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2020QNCX055 (to LK)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As a unique structure of the cervical spine, the occurrence, development and progression of the uncovertebral joint directly affect the stability and range of motion of the cervical spine, and are also closely related to the pathogenesis of cervical spondylosis. A thorough understanding of the developmental characteristics of the uncovertebral joint is of great significance for the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical spondylosis.
OBJECTIVE: By using imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction technology to measure and observe the cervical uncinate process-related angle in a large sample of different age groups, the aim is to reveal the characteristics of its changes with age and vertebral growth, as well as its relationship with cervical spine stability.
METHODS: Using a retrospective research design, we collected 1 447 cases of raw CT imaging data that meet the study requirements for complete cervical spine segments. The raw data were imported into Mimics 21.0 software in DICOM format for post-processing and measurement of angle of uncinate process and sagittal angle of uncinate process. The data were grouped based on gender, age, and side.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) With the increase of vertebral sequence, the angle of uncinate process increased in a V-shaped shape, and the lowest peak was at C5. The overall population showed a sharp peak with the increase of age, and the peak value mostly occurred in the age range of 30-39 years. (2) The sagittal angle of the uncinate process increased like a fishhook with the increase of the vertebral sequence, and the overall angle of the uncinate process increased with age, and the peak value mostly occurred in the age range of 20-29 years. The uncinate process angle and sagittal angle showed only partial significant differences between sides and genders (P < 0.05). (3) It is concluded that the angle of the uncinate process increased with the increase of vertebral sequence in a V-shaped manner. The sagittal angle of the uncinate process increases like a fish hook with increasing vertebral order, while the two angles generally peak with increasing age. The angle of the uncinate process is about 131°, which may be closely related to the stability of the cervical spine, while the sagittal angle of the uncinate process is about 14°, and its function may play a certain role in limiting the excessive rotation of the cervical spine.

Key words: uncinate process, uncinate process angle, sagittal angle of uncinate process, changes with aging, cervical spine stability

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