MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF OCCIPITAL CONDYLES IN ADULT DRY HUMAN SKULLS OF RAJASTHAN POPULATION

BACKGROUND: Skull is the most complex osseous structure in the body. Foramen magnum (FM) is an important landmark of the base of the skull. Anteriorly on each side of FM oval occipital condyles are present. The occipital condyles project downwards to articulate with the superior articular facets on lateral masses of the atlas vertebra to form synovial atlanto-occipital joint. Understanding the anatomy of the occipital condyles is important for different approaches. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to morphometric analysis of occipital condyles and foramen magnum and its importance in transcondylar approach. MATERIALAND METHODS: The present study was carried out on 75 dry human skulls of unknown age and sex from Rajasthan population from the department of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Jaipur, Rajasthan. All the measurements were taken with the help of digital vernier calipers. RESULTS :The mean value of anterior intercondylar distance was 21.50mm and posterior intercondylar was 38.99mm. The mean anteroposterior diameter was 35.11±3.12mm ans transverse diameter was 29.35±3.48mm. CONCLUSION :The occipital condyles form the lateral limits of the cranio-vertebral junction. The configuration and orientation of the occipital condyles, as well as the location of the intracranial and extracranial orifices of hypoglossal canal may affect the lateral approaches to the craniovertebral junction