Determination of Posterior Condylar Canal in Adult Human Skulls and its Clinical Importance

Abstract

The posterior condylar canal enters the skull at the base, just behind the occipital condyles. The largest emissary foramen of the posterior cranial fossa is the posterior condylar canal. The posterior condylar vein leaves the skull via the posterior condylar (or condyloid) canal, which connects the jugular foramen to the condylar fossa. The purpose of this study was to identify the normal anatomic pattern and variations of the posterior condylar canal.The objectives of the present study a) To note the presence of bilateral or unilateral and absence of posterior condylar canal (foramen). Materials and Methods: The current study used 50 dry adult human skulls of unknown sex obtained from the department of anatomy at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute in Mysore. Skulls were examined directly for the presence or absence of a posterior condylar canal, both bilaterally and unilaterally. We found bilateral posterior condylar canal (foramina) in 18 of the 50 human dry skulls, unilateral (right) in 10 skulls, and unilateral (left) in 12 skulls. In 10 skulls, there is no posterior condylar canal (foramina). Conclusions: Anatomical variations of the posterior condylar canal are important for Neurosurgeons and ENT Surgeons because it provides them with a comprehensive understanding of how to operate in the vicinity of occipital condylar regions.