A STUDY OF THE CONDYLAR CANAL AND ITS INCIDENCE, MORPHOLOGY AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE -

Abstract

The posterior condylar canal is one among the largest and inconstant emissary foramina in the human skull. The canal, if present, may be single or multiple. It transmits the posterior condylar vein and meningeal branch of occipital artery. The present study was conducted to observe the incidence of posterior condylar canal and its morphological variations in dry adult human skulls. The dimensions and shape of the condylar fossa were also studied. In 78.9 % cases, it shows bilateral presentation where as in 21.1 % cases it presents unilaterally. Single canal or multiple smaller canals in clusters were also observed. Knowledge of such anatomical variations is important in case of treatment of dural arterio venous fistula involving the posterior condylar canal.