Occipital condyle and its relevance during surgery

Background : Occipital condyle (OC) is an important landmark for transcondylar approach of surgeries in case of lesions ventral to brainstem and craniovertebral junctional anomalies. To go through this approach, one should have an extensive knowledge of occipital condyle. The aim of the current study is to provide linear and angular measurements of OC. Material and methods : The study was performed in 36 dry adult skulls of unknown age and sex. Various morphological and Metric data were collected from specimen. Results : Average length, width and height of the occipital condyle were found to be 22.49mm, 11.87mm, 9.13mm. Intracranial orifices of hypoglossal canal were found to be present against the junction of 2nd and 3rd quarter or against the 3rd quarter of occipital condyle. Extracranial orifices of hypoglossal canal were found to be present against the junction of 1st and 2nd quarter or against the 2rd quarter of occipital condyle. Conclusion : There is no significant racial variation in shape and size of occipital condyle. The safest area to be drilled in occipital condyle is the 4th quarter as no important structure is located against this region. This study would help in surgeries of lesions ventral to brainstem and craniovertebral junctional anomalies.