MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HYPOGLOSSAL CANAL AND ITS TOPOGRAPHICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ADJACENT STRUCTURES IN NORTH INDIAN DRY SKULLS

Introduction- The paired bony channel known as the hypoglossal canal (HC), situated above the occipital condyle (OC), is the conduit for the transmission of the hypoglossal nerve and meningeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery. Aims & Objectives: To study the morphometric features of hypoglossal canal and its topographical relationship with occipital condyle & foramen magnum on exocranial surface. Material & Methods: The present study was done on 50 adult human dry north Indian skulls available in Anatomical Museum of G.S.V.M Medical College, Kanpur. The hypoglossal canal\'s vertical and transverse diameters were measured. It was also noticed how far the hypoglossal canal was from the basion, opisthion, and posterior end of the occipital canal. We used a digital Vernier calliper scale to take measurements. Results: The hypoglossal canals on the right and left had mean transverse diameters of 5.63±1.18 and 6.04±1.50 mm, respectively. The mean vertical diameter of the right and left hypoglossal canals were 5.25±0.95 & 4.93±0.73 mm. The mean distance from the right and left hypoglossal canal to the posterior ends of Occipital Condyle were 13.65±1.69 & 13.8±1.49 mm. Conclusion: The current study provides important information regarding the morphometric aspects and its relationship with adjacent structures, which will enable effective and reliable surgical intervention in area of HC and craniovertebral junction leading to better postoperative outcome results Keywords: Hypoglossal canal, occipital Condyle, basion, opisthion