A study of morphology of posterior condylar foramen and its anatomical variations in dry Pakistani adult skulls

Background: the exact anatomical location of condylar canal is on norma basalis just posterior to the condyles of occipital bone. condylar emissary vein running along its path ensures patency of this passage. aim: to assess normal location and variability in posterior condylar foramen (pcf}. methods: this research work was conducted on 69 cadaveric skulls of human beings obtained from anatomy departments,king edward medical university,fatima jinnah medical college,postgraduate medical institute/amerudin medical college,sahiwal medical college. results: we found posterior condylar foramina on either side of miline in 18%,and on one side posterior condylar foramina were found in 14% while the total incidence was 33% of observed skulls. in 17% posterior condylar foramina was present within the sinus while in 8% posterior condylar foramina was found located on the back of sinus out of the 69 skulls examined in current research work. conclusion: present research work provides fundamental information to the practicing physicians and surgical specialists prior to operative work on norma basalis in the vicinity of condyls of occipital bone. adequate management of dural arteriovenous fistula is dependent on exact knowledge of anatomy of posterior condylar foramina. © 2016,lahore medical and dental college. all rights reserved.