Pitfalls in diagnosis: skeletal holes, clefts, and notches.

Radiographs often depict unusually appearing variations in the skeleton that have the appearance of holes, clefts, and prominent notches. Although certain variants are recognizable, others may not be as familiar. Knowledge of characteristic locations of nutrient foramina is also important. The aim of this pictorial essay are to review the anatomic variants in the trunk of the skeleton that manifest as holes, cleft, or notches in the bone and to specify the differentiating features of these variants from those that constitute true pathologic conditions.