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 Patent Posterior Condylar Canal In North Indian Crania.

Abstracts: Background Studies of non-metric cranial variants have been a field of considerable interest to research workers especially because of their racial and regional importance. Methodology: Total of 28 north Indian human crania of U.P. was studied for the incidence of patent posterior condylar canal. Results: Patent posterior condylar canal was found in 9 (32.1%) of total human crania. Conclusion: The presence of patent posterior condylar canal found to be of considerable regional and racial significance.

Study of Incidence, Laterality and Patency of the Posterior Condylar Canal In 100 Dry Human Skulls.

Background: The posterior condylar foramina are the largest of the emissary foramina’s present in the human skull. The posterior condylar canal transmits the posterior condylar emissary vein and it acts as a route for venous circulation between extracranial venous system and intracranial venous sinuses. It also acts as a channel for spread of infection. Due to its varied clinical implications and to get a better knowledge about the canal this study was taken up. Objectives: To determine the variations in the occurrence of posterior condylar canalwith respect to incidence, laterality, patency and if patent whether intrasinus or retrosinus. Materials and methods: An observational study was carried out on 100 dry human skulls obtained from the department of anatomy, Kempegowda Institute Of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India. The posterior condylar canal was observed and noted. The patency was ascertained by passing a probe and care was taken to note whether the canal opened intrasinus or retrosinus. Result: The posterior condylar canal was found to be present in 90% of the skulls. The incidence of bilateral presence was more than the unilateral presence. 82.22% of the canals were patent with the intrasinus type being themost prevalent. Conclusion: The knowledge of the posterior condylar canal and its variations is important for the radiologist, neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons operating in this area.

Osteotic Variations in Paracondylar Region of Adult Human Skulls – Incidence and Clinical Significance.

Aim: In the paracondylar region(lateral to the occipital condyles)there might be morphological variation in the form of an anomalous foramina. This anomalous foramina may represent the course of an emissary vein in absence of posterior condylar canal or an aberrant course. Material & Method: 82 dry adult skulls (164 sides), of Indian origin and of both the sexes formed the basis for this study. The region anterior, posterior and lateral to the occipital condyles was carefully examined for the presence of foramina. Complete foramina were only considered for this study. The patency was ascertained by passage of a probe through it. Results: paracondylar foramina was observed in 12.1% specimens ,in 10.9% it was predominantly located on the left side and in 1.2% it was bilateral. No right sided paracondylar foramina was observed. Unilateral left sided Double hypoglossal canal was seen in 4.8% specimens . Posterior condylar canal was present in 9.7% out of which 6.0% were on the left side exclusively and 3.6% bilateral in position. Conclusion: Misinterpretation may occur as neoplasm or an abnormal lymph node during radiodiagnosis Surgical procedures in this area such as paracondylar approach and far lateral supracondylar approach could be impacted upon by this.