Surgical anatomy and morphometric analysis of the occipital condyles and foramen magnum.

Surgical anatomy that provides the basis for dealing with lesions arising in the lower clivus and ventral foramen magnum was reviewed in 8 adult cadaver heads and 76 dry skulls. The extreme lateral transcondylar approach was performed in cadavers; the morphometric analysis was studied in both the cadavers and the skulls. The landmarks, distances and structures were selected in order to guide the surgical operations in this area. In the paper, surgical approaches to this region are reviewed, and the results are discussed from the standpoint of surgical importance.