Mehmet Cengiz TATAR, Ahmet Selim AYGÜNDÜZ, Ekrem SOLMAZ, Zeliha FAZLIOĞULLARI
Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine - 2026;17(6):527-532
Aim: In the occipital bone, located at the lower back of the skull, the foramen magnum is adjacent to the occipital condyle, and the hypoglossal canal is located at the base of the occipital condyle. Measurements and morphological evaluations were conducted on bones from the Anatolian population to raise awareness of variations and contribute to clinical practice. Methods: Thirty-two dry skull bones of unknown age and gender were examined in the anatomy laboratory. Measurements were made with a digital caliper. Morphometry and type characteristics of the hypoglossal canal in the occipital bone were evaluated. The presence of accessory canals was examined. Results: When the 64 hypoglossal canals examined (right 32, left 32) were evaluated based on the presence of septum and notch, the number of Type 1 canals was found to be 33, and the number of Type 2 canals was 12. The location of the internal and external openings of the hypoglossal canal was found in the middle third of the condyle in 94% of cases. Conclusion: The septum of the canal is clinically important because it affects the hypoglossal nerve. While there are studies that are consistent with the anteroposterior length values of the hypoglossal canal, there are also studies that are dissimilar depending on the measurement technique and age. A thorough understanding of anatomical variation and morphometry at the skull base is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Measurements and awareness of the adjacent relationships are also beneficial for clinicians when considering surgical approaches.
