Abstract:
The foramen magnum (FM) is the largest opening
and is outlet through which medulla oblongata and spinal cord
along with meninges, vertebral arteries, anterior and posterior
spinal arteries, tectorial membrane, alar ligaments, and spinal
branch of the accessory nerve. Occipital condyle (OC) is an
important part of craniovertebral or craniocervical junction located
anterolaterally on either side of the FM. The objective of the study
was to assess variations of FM and OC in Ethiopian dried adult
skulls.
Methods: Observation-based descriptive study design was
employed. The study was undertaken in 54 FM and 108 OC of
54 adult Ethiopian skulls. The morphometry of FM and OC were
determined using a sliding vernier caliper.
Results: The mean values of anteroposterior and transverse
diameters of the FM were 35.19 and 30.17 mm, respectively, and
the mean area of the FM was 853.36 mm2. The shapes of FM were
determined as round in 22.2%, oval in 18.5%, egg like in 20.4%,
triangular in 3.7%, pentagonal in 11.1%, hexagonal in 7.4%,
irregular in 13%, and rectangular in 3.7% of the cases. The
mean length of right and left OC was 25.69 and 26.96 mm,
respectively, and the mean widths of the right and left OC were
12.76 and 13.04 mm, respectively.
Conclusion: Our study identified various shapes of FM and
diameter. The anteroposterior diameter is greater than the
transverse diameter. The morphometric study of OC confirmed
the length of left side is significantly greater than the right side
