Condylar canal

Condylar canal

Condylar Canal is a small opening located in the human skull, specifically in the occipital bone. It is also known as the posterior condyloid foramen.

Anatomy

The Condylar Canal is situated posterior to the occipital condyle, a rounded protuberance at the base of the skull. It is one of the several foramina or openings in the skull that allow for the passage of structures such as nerves and blood vessels.

The canal is not always present in all individuals and when it does exist, it can vary in size. It may be unilateral or bilateral, meaning it can be present on one or both sides of the occipital bone.

Function

The primary function of the Condylar Canal is to allow for the passage of the emissary veins, which connect the sigmoid sinus with the internal jugular vein. These veins are part of the venous system of the body, which returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

In addition to the emissary veins, the canal may also transmit a small meningeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery.

Clinical Significance

The Condylar Canal is of particular interest in forensic anthropology and radiology due to its variability in presence and size. It can be used as a marker in identifying human remains and can also be visualized in imaging studies such as Computed Tomography (CT) scans.

In some cases, the canal may be enlarged or may contain aberrant structures, which can lead to clinical symptoms. For example, an enlarged canal may be associated with condylar canal syndrome, a rare condition characterized by headache, vertigo, and tinnitus.

See Also

• Occipital bone
• Foramina of the skull
• Emissary veins
• Condylar canal syndrome