Occipital condyle morphometry and incidence of condylus tertius: Phylogenetic and clinical significance

Purpose. The objectives were to study the morphometry of occipital condyles and to find the incidence of third occipital condyle in Indian skulls. Materials and Methods. In the present study, 140 occipital condyles from 70 dry skulls were analysed. The length, width, height of occipital condyles, the anterior and posterior intercondylar distances was measured. Results. The average length, width and height of occipital condyle were 21.9 mm, 11.26 mm and 10.2 mm respectively. The average anterior and posterior intercondylar distances were 18.7 mm and 38.7 mm respectively. Among our specimens, 2 skulls (2.86%) had a third occipital condyle. Conclusion. We believe that the data of the present study may provide anatomical reference to neurosurgeons and thus help in surgical procedures around the craniovertebral junction. The clinical and phylogenetic significance of the third occipital condyle has been discussed.