Morphometric analysis of hypoglossal canal of the occipital bone in Iranian dry skulls.
BACKGROUND
The hypoglossal canal (HC) is in basal part of cranium that transmits the nerve that supplies the motor innervations to the muscles of tongue. Study on morphometry of (HC) and its variations has been a considerable interest field to neurosurgeons and research workers especially because of their racial and regional.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, 26 adult dry human crania of no sex known were studied for (HC) and its variants. Thirty five skulls were observed for any damage of post cranial fossa and those in good condition (26 skulls)were selected. Sliding Vernier caliper was used for morphometric analysis.


RESULTS
There were significant difference between distances of: a-(HC) till anterior tip of condyles (right and left), b-(HC) till posterior tip of condyles (right and left), c-(HC)till lower border of occipital condyles (right and left), d-(HC) till external border of foramen jugular (right and left), e-(HC) till opisthion(right and left), f-(HC) till carotid canal (right and left), g-(HC) till jugular tubercle (right and left). There wasn't significant difference in other parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Detailed morphometric analysis of (HC) will help in planning of surgical intervention of skull base in safer and easier ways.
Department of Anatomical Sciences, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Bayat
B
Parvindokht
Department of Anatomical Sciences, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Darabi Mohammad
DM
Reza
Department of Anatomical Sciences, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Babaei
B
Saeid
Cranium base; dry skulls; hypoglossal canal; morphometric analysis