Morphological analysis and morphometry of the occipital condyle and its relationship to the foramen magnum, jugular foramen, and hypoglossal canal: implications for craniovertebral junction surgery

Abstract

Anatomical knowledge of the occipital condyle (OC) and its relationships to surrounding structures is important for avoiding injury during craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgeries. This study was conducted to evaluate the morphology and morphometry of OC and its relationship to foramen magnum, jugular foramen (JF), and hypoglossal canal (HC). Morphometric parameters including length, width, height, and distances from the OC to surrounding structures were measured. The oval-like condyle was the most common OC shape, representing for 33.0% of all samples. The mean length, width and height of OC were 21.3±2.4, 10.5±1.4, and 7.4±1.1 mm, respectively. Moreover, OC was classified into three types based on its length. The most common OC length in both sexes was moderate length or type II (62.5%). The mean distance between anterior tips and posterior tips of OC to basion, and opisthion were 11.5±1.4, 39.1±3.3, 25.2±2.2, and 27.4±2.7 mm, respectively. The location of intracranial orifice of HC was commonly found related to middle 1/3 of OC in 45.0%. JF was related to the anterior 2/3 of OC in 81.0%, the anterior 1/3 of OC in 12.5%, and the entire OC length in 6.5%. These morphological analysis and morphometric data should be taken into consideration before performing surgical operation to avoid CVJ instability and neurovascular structure injury.

Morphological analysis of the jugular foramen in dry human skulls in northeastern Brazil

“…The difference on the right and left sizes of the IJV is noticed in the human embryo at 8 weeks post conception, due to the variation of the development of the right and left brachiocephalic veins [ 10 , 22 , 26 , 27 ]. It has been noted that the right foramen is frequently larger than the left [ 6 , 22 , 28 ], fact that was confirmed in this study ( P =0.001). This may occur due to the superior sagittal sinus that could drain into the right transverse sinus [ 2 , 10 , 22 ].…”

Morphological analysis of the jugular foramen in dry human skulls in northeastern Brazil

“…The difference on the right and left sizes of the IJV is noticed in the human embryo at 8 weeks post conception, due to the variation of the development of the right and left brachiocephalic veins [ 10 , 22 , 26 , 27 ]. It has been noted that the right foramen is frequently larger than the left [ 6 , 22 , 28 ], fact that was confirmed in this study ( P =0.001). This may occur due to the superior sagittal sinus that could drain into the right transverse sinus [ 2 , 10 , 22 ].…”

Usability Study of Augmented Reality Visualization Modalities on Localization Accuracy in the Head and Neck: Randomized Crossover Trial

“…For example, in head and neck tumor surgeries, surgeons often use the tragal pointer as a surgical landmark to identify the facial nerve trunk and the maxillary artery during procedures, such as parotidectomy, mandibular osteotomy, and temporomandibular joint arthroplasty [ 50 ]. In addition, in skull base surgery, surgeons often rely on stable bony landmarks, such as the occipital condyle or mastoid process, to sequentially locate cranial nerve exit points, including the jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal [ 51 ].…”

Integrating Osteology and Ancient DNA: Cranial Variation, Hemoglobin S, and Paternal Lineage in a Roman-Period Individual from Anatolia

“…The identification of this feature in the present individual therefore contributes to the limited body of evidence documenting craniovertebral anatomical variability in past populations. Clinical and anatomical studies have associated occipital condyle variation with altered articulation at the craniovertebral junction [ 4 , 5 , 8 ] which in some cases may result in neck pain, reduced range of motion, or compensatory joint changes. In the present case, however, no macroscopic evidence of degenerative joint disease was observed, suggesting that the anatomical variation did not result in significant functional impairment or skeletal remodeling.…”

“…In contrast, the third occipital condyle identified in this individual is generally regarded as a rare non-pathological anatomical variant contributing to the spectrum of craniovertebral morphological diversity observed in past populations [ 3 , 9 ]. Clinical and anatomical studies have suggested that such variations may influence craniovertebral biomechanics and, in some cases, be associated with symptoms such as neck pain or altered articulation [ 4 , 6 ]. However, no clear macroscopic evidence of advanced degenerative joint disease, osteophyte formation, or articular surface erosion was observed in the present case, suggesting that any functional impact was likely limited [ 3 , 9 ].…”

Morphological analysis of the jugular foramen in dry human skulls in northeastern Brazil

“…The difference on the right and left sizes of the IJV is noticed in the human embryo at 8 weeks post conception, due to the variation of the development of the right and left brachiocephalic veins [ 10 , 22 , 26 , 27 ]. It has been noted that the right foramen is frequently larger than the left [ 6 , 22 , 28 ], fact that was confirmed in this study ( P =0.001). This may occur due to the superior sagittal sinus that could drain into the right transverse sinus [ 2 , 10 , 22 ].…”

Usability Study of Augmented Reality Visualization Modalities on Localization Accuracy in the Head and Neck: Randomized Crossover Trial

“…For example, in head and neck tumor surgeries, surgeons often use the tragal pointer as a surgical landmark to identify the facial nerve trunk and the maxillary artery during procedures, such as parotidectomy, mandibular osteotomy, and temporomandibular joint arthroplasty [ 50 ]. In addition, in skull base surgery, surgeons often rely on stable bony landmarks, such as the occipital condyle or mastoid process, to sequentially locate cranial nerve exit points, including the jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal [ 51 ].…”

Integrating Osteology and Ancient DNA: Cranial Variation, Hemoglobin S, and Paternal Lineage in a Roman-Period Individual from Anatolia

“…The identification of this feature in the present individual therefore contributes to the limited body of evidence documenting craniovertebral anatomical variability in past populations. Clinical and anatomical studies have associated occipital condyle variation with altered articulation at the craniovertebral junction [ 4 , 5 , 8 ] which in some cases may result in neck pain, reduced range of motion, or compensatory joint changes. In the present case, however, no macroscopic evidence of degenerative joint disease was observed, suggesting that the anatomical variation did not result in significant functional impairment or skeletal remodeling.…”

“…In contrast, the third occipital condyle identified in this individual is generally regarded as a rare non-pathological anatomical variant contributing to the spectrum of craniovertebral morphological diversity observed in past populations [ 3 , 9 ]. Clinical and anatomical studies have suggested that such variations may influence craniovertebral biomechanics and, in some cases, be associated with symptoms such as neck pain or altered articulation [ 4 , 6 ]. However, no clear macroscopic evidence of advanced degenerative joint disease, osteophyte formation, or articular surface erosion was observed in the present case, suggesting that any functional impact was likely limited [ 3 , 9 ].…”

Morphological analysis of the jugular foramen in dry human skulls in northeastern Brazil

“…The difference on the right and left sizes of the IJV is noticed in the human embryo at 8 weeks post conception, due to the variation of the development of the right and left brachiocephalic veins [ 10 , 22 , 26 , 27 ]. It has been noted that the right foramen is frequently larger than the left [ 6 , 22 , 28 ], fact that was confirmed in this study ( P =0.001). This may occur due to the superior sagittal sinus that could drain into the right transverse sinus [ 2 , 10 , 22 ].…”

Usability Study of Augmented Reality Visualization Modalities on Localization Accuracy in the Head and Neck: Randomized Crossover Trial

“…For example, in head and neck tumor surgeries, surgeons often use the tragal pointer as a surgical landmark to identify the facial nerve trunk and the maxillary artery during procedures, such as parotidectomy, mandibular osteotomy, and temporomandibular joint arthroplasty [ 50 ]. In addition, in skull base surgery, surgeons often rely on stable bony landmarks, such as the occipital condyle or mastoid process, to sequentially locate cranial nerve exit points, including the jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal [ 51 ].…”

Integrating Osteology and Ancient DNA: Cranial Variation, Hemoglobin S, and Paternal Lineage in a Roman-Period Individual from Anatolia

“…The identification of this feature in the present individual therefore contributes to the limited body of evidence documenting craniovertebral anatomical variability in past populations. Clinical and anatomical studies have associated occipital condyle variation with altered articulation at the craniovertebral junction [ 4 , 5 , 8 ] which in some cases may result in neck pain, reduced range of motion, or compensatory joint changes. In the present case, however, no macroscopic evidence of degenerative joint disease was observed, suggesting that the anatomical variation did not result in significant functional impairment or skeletal remodeling.…”

“…In contrast, the third occipital condyle identified in this individual is generally regarded as a rare non-pathological anatomical variant contributing to the spectrum of craniovertebral morphological diversity observed in past populations [ 3 , 9 ]. Clinical and anatomical studies have suggested that such variations may influence craniovertebral biomechanics and, in some cases, be associated with symptoms such as neck pain or altered articulation [ 4 , 6 ]. However, no clear macroscopic evidence of advanced degenerative joint disease, osteophyte formation, or articular surface erosion was observed in the present case, suggesting that any functional impact was likely limited [ 3 , 9 ].…”