Morphmetric Analysis of Foramen Magnum and Occipital Condyles in Human Skull Among Eastern Population - A Case Study

The morphometric study of foramen magnum and occipital condyles are valuable aid for anatomical studies. The measurements are helpful for neurosurgeons for performing lateral transcondylar surgical approaches for reaching lesions in the middle and posterior part of cranial base 1 . These are also used by radiologist to diagnose Craniovertebral abnormalities 2 . Therefore the assessment of morphometrics of foramen magnum and occipital condyle is  essential. The knowledge of foramen magnum diameters is needed to determine some malformations such as Arnold Chiari syndrome, which shows expansion of foramen magnum 3 . 3 The stability of  craniovertebral junction depends largely on the morphometric data of the occipital condyles. 4,5 Therefore the assessment of morphometrics of foramen magnum and occipital condyle is  essential.The aim of the study was to determine dimensions of foramen magnum and occipital condyles, and morphometric assymetry between right and left condyles and with respect to foramen magnum. 60 dry human skulls were studied and necessary diameters were measured using vernierscallipers.