Study on the existence of posterior condylar foramen and the morphometry of posterior condylar fossa and jugular foramen

Aim: To analyze the existence of the posterior condylar foramen and the morphometry of the posterior condylar fossa and the jugular foramen. Objective: To check the bilateral or unilateral existence of the posterior condylar foramen. To also observe variations in the measurements of the posterior condylar fossa and the jugular foramen using a vernier caliper. Introduction: The condylar fossae are situated at either side of the foramen magnum behind the occipital condyles and accommodate the postero-superior part of the lateral mass of the atlas when the head is bent backwards. The fossa is best visualized radiologically. The posterior condylar foramen may or may not exist. The jugular foramen is located behind the carotid canal and is formed in front by the posterior portion of the temporal and behind the occipital. It is generally larger on the right than on the left side. Materials and methods: The study was carried out using 40 dry skulls from the Anatomy department of Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The parameters were measured using a vernier caliper and a scale. Results: 50% of the skulls contained the right posterior condylar foramen and 51% contained the left posterior condylar foramen. The mean value of the right and left width of the jugular foramina was found to be 13.3mm and 12.45mm respectively and the mean value of the antero-posterior diameter for the right and left jugular foramina are 10.05mm and 9.6mm respectively. Thus the right jugular foramen was found to be larger than the left. The mean value of the right and left width of the posterior condylar fossa was found to be 7.17mm and 7.35mm respectively and the mean value of the antero-posterior diameter for the right and left posterior condylar fossae are 5.4mm and 5.5mm respectively.