Posterior condylar canal: Anatomy and medical insights

Abstract

Introduction

The importance of the posterior condylar canal lies in its role as a pathway for venous drainage of the brain and its relevance for surgical approaches in the region.

Objective

To describe the posterior condylar canal in the context of the skull’s emissary foramina, its development, frequency, morphological/morphometric aspects of clinical/ surgical importance.

Methods

A human anatomical specimen displaying significant morphological variations of the posterior condylar canal is presented. A review is undertaken and further illustrated using anatomical dissections of injected cadaveric heads and dry skulls.

Results

The posterior condylar canal and its emissary vein form a connection between jugular and vertebral plexus venous systems. They can be activated during positional changes and reversible/permanent blocks in drainage through the jugular system - therefore its neurosurgical importance. These structures should be dealt with during lateral approaches to the posterior cranial fossa, requiring understanding of its path, size and variations. Considered a developmental selection induced by bipedalism and a characteristic of the human species, this anatomical feature should be understood within the context of emissary foramina and other structures involved in venous drainage of the head.

Conclusion

Awareness of role and variations of the posterior condylar canal are important when analysing the pattern of venous drainage to plan postero-lateral approaches to the posterior fossa. This knowledge is required to safely customize surgical approaches to a patient’s specific needs. Lack of uniform methodology may explain differences in frequency/morphology of PCC in the literature and justify gathering new data into this subject.