An Anatomical Outlook of Foramen Magnum and Occipital Condyles with Its Clinical Implication in Transcondylar Approach

Background: The skull base serves as a critical landmark in both anatomical studies and surgical procedures. Foramen Magnum is an oval opening situated at the base of the skull. The inferior margin of foramen magnum has an oval curved articular facet (occipital condyle) on each side of its anterolateral surface. Understanding the bony anatomy of the condylar region is important for transcondylar approach in neurosurgical practices, which is an optimal approach to resect lesions which are ventral to the brainstem and cervico medullary lesions. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a morphometric analysis of occipital condyles and foramen magnum as it pertains to transcondylar approach. Methodology: 100 adult skulls were studied from the department of Anatomy. Skulls with a damaged or broken foramen magnum were excluded from this study. Intercondylar distances at anterior, middle and posterior parts were measured. Length and width of occipital condyles on both the sides was also measured using digital vernier caliper. Results: The mean anterior intercondylar distance was 18.76 ± 4.33 mm, mean middle intercondylar distance 24.22 ± 4.53 mm & mean posterior intercondylar distance was 31.58 ± 3.67 mm. The mean axial length of the occipital condyle was found to be 23.82 ± 3.69 mm on the right side and 23.98 ± 4.36 mm on the left side. The mean axial width was 14.51 ± 3.61 mm and 15.63 ± 3.82 mm on right and left side of the occipital condyles respectively.