Study Of Posterior Condylar Canal In Adult Human Skulls And Its Clinical Importance

Introduction: The posterior condylar canal opens at the base of the skull just behind the occipital condyles.Posterior condylar canal is the largest emissary foramen of the posterior cranial fossa. The posterior condylarvein exits the skull through the posterior condylar (or condyloid) canal, which is a communication between thejugular foramen and the condylar fossa. The present study was taken to notethe normal anatomic pattern andvariations of posterior condylar canal.Aims and objectives: To note the presence of bilateral or unilateral and absence of posterior condylar canal(foramen).Materials and methods: The present study was performed on 50 dry adult human skulls of unknown sex collectedfrom the department of anatomy, Mysore medical college and research institute, Mysore. Skulls were examinedby direct observation for bilateral and unilateral presence or absence of posterior condylar canal.Results: Of the 50 human dry skulls, we observed presence of bilateral posterior condylar canal (foramina) in 18skulls, unilateral (right) in 10 skulls and unilateral (left) in 12 skulls. The absence of posterior condylar canal(foramina) in 10 skulls.Conclusion: Anatomical variations of posterior condylar canal are important for Neurosurgeons and ENT Surgeons,which gives them a comprehensive knowledge to operate in the vicinity of occipital condylar regions.

A study of variations in brachial artery and its branching pattern.

Background: Knowledge of the normal and variant arterial anatomy of the upper extremity is of significant clinical importance for the vascular radiologist and surgeons for accurate diagnostic interpretation as well as in the conduct of interventional and surgical procedures on the upper extremity. The anatomical knowledge of the anomalous branching pattern of the brachial artery is important during percutaneous arterial catheterization, so as to prevent any complications arising from accidental damage to the anomalous vessel and knowledge of the variations are important for plastic surgeons using flaps for reconstructive surgeries. Methods: The present study was undertaken on 50 upper limbs of both sexes from embalmed adult human cadaver used for undergraduate dissection from the department of Anatomy, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya. Results: In the present study, normal brachial artery was found in 42 specimens accounting for 84%. Variations were found in 8 specimens (16%); of these five specimens presented with trifurcation of brachial artery into radial, ulnar and radial recurrent arteries (10%); one specimen presented with double profunda brachii artery (2%); one specimen showed high origin of radial artery (2%) and one specimen presented with high division of brachial artery in the proximal third of arm (2%). Conclusions: Accurate anatomical knowledge about the brachial artery and its branching pattern with their variations are important for physicians, cardiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Study of these variations and its awareness helps in avoiding the iatrogenic injuries of the blood vessels, in the management of accidental/traumatic injuries to arteries in upper limb and during diagnostic procedures (like arteriograms).