Sexual dimorphism and clinical importance of posterior condylar canal

Abstract

Background: The posterior condylar canal (PCC) and its associated emissary vein are important anatomical landmarks for juxta-condylar approach and extreme lateral approach for exposing lesions in the region lateral to the foramen magnum. The study aimed to provide a complete gender-based assessment of the morphological characteristics of PCC in an adult central Indian population. Methodology: The study was conducted on 130 dry adult central Indian human skulls of known sex (81 males, 49 females). The presence of PCC on both sides, their patency, variations, and site of internal opening in relation to important anatomical landmarks, i.e., sigmoid sulcus, jugular foramen, and foramen magnum were assessed. Results: The PCC and probe patency were statistically more common bilaterally than unilateral. Females showed statistically significant higher incidence of bilateral PCC and bilateral probe patency than males. Three morphological variations in PCC were found, i.e., double condylar canal, septation, and spur. They showed no significant gender differences. In both sexes, bilateral intrasinus was the most common type of internal opening of PCC. Internal opening into jugular foramen, foramen magnum, and retro sinus was significantly more unilaterally than bilateral. Significant gender differences in unilateral intrasinus and unilateral retro sinus type of internal opening were noted. Conclusion: This study gives knowledge about the comparison of various morphological variations of PCC in both sexes of an adult central Indian population, and its clinical impact on the surgeries of this region.

Keywords

• arterio-venous fistula
• emissary vein
• foramen magnum
• posterior condylar canal
• occipital bone