Condylar canal
Canalis condylaris
- Latin synonym: Canalis condyloideus; Canalis condylicus
- Synonym: Posterior condylar canal
Definition
The condylar canal, sometimes called the posterior condylar canal, is a tiny tunnel in the condylar fossa—a shallow bony depression situated behind each occipital condyle at the skull’s base. This canal allows an emissary vein to pass through, linking the sigmoid sinus—a dural venous sinus in the brain—with the veins outside the skull. This connection doesn't have valves, which permits blood to flow in both directions. It serves as a safety mechanism, crucial for balancing the intracranial pressure and selectively cooling the brain.
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Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2024 IMAIOS.
Standring, S. (2016). ‘Chapter 27: External Skull’ in Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. (41st ed.) New York NY: Elsevier, pp. 422.
Standring, S. (2016). ‘Chapter 43: Back’ in Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. (41st ed.) New York NY: Elsevier, pp. 713.
Klein BM, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Emissary Veins. [Updated 2023 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563196/
