Cervical Chordoma: Diagnosis and Operation: Discussion with Report of a Case

Abstract

Generalities and Review of the Literature According to H. Muller,¹ chordomas originate from embryonic remnants of the notochord. The majority of authors agree with this opinion. The notochord constitutes the primitive body axis during the early embryonic evolution of the vertebrates. Later on, following the appearance of vertebral bodies, the intravertebral segments of the notochord are pushed out to the intravertebral spaces in the nucleus pulposus, where chordal cells are found up to seventh year (Congdon²) or later on (Piraud³). But Schmorl's researches⁴ showed that remnants of the notochord are sometimes found in the vertebral bodies of adults. The cephalic end of the notochord is found on the upper surface of the clivus or in it or retropharyngeally. Aberrant remnants may also be found in the maxilla or the mandible. More frequently, they are encountered in the sacrococcygeal region even at the 50th year and beyond