Abstract

Introduction: The occipital condyles are small, bilateral inferior extensions of the occipital bones. They are intimately related to the foramen magnum and skull base by a number of ligamentous attachments. A variety of disease processes may affect the craniovertebral junction. Various lateral approaches have been used to access these lesions. Understanding the bony anatomy and variations of occipital condyle is important for these approaches. The aim of the present study is to study occipital condyle in detail. Materials and methods: 120 dry human skulls (83 males, 37 females) were studied. The length, width and different shapes of occipital condyle were noted. Various other parameters were measured like anterior intercondylar distance, posterior intercondylar distance, distance between anterior and posterior end of occipital condyle and opisthion. Results: The mean value of occipital condyle length (2.32cm(M) vs 2.22cm(F)) and width (1.29cm(M) vs 1.26cm(F)) were present in male and female skulls. The anterior intercondylar distance and posterior intercondylar distances were 2.06cm and 4.14cm respectively. Shape of occipital condyle was classified into different types as followingoval, kidney, s shaped, figure of eight, two portioned and deformed. The most common shape of occipital condyle was oval on both sides in males and females. Conclusions: Thorough knowledge of occipital condyle will enable the neurosurgeons to have safe surgery and reduce the morbidity to minimum.

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