What is the occipital condyle?

found at the base of the occipital bones at the bottom of the skull, the occipital condyle is one of the two convex surfaces in the shape of the kidney that is articulated with the superior aspects of the Atlas bone. Each condyl is located on both sides of the foramen magnum, a hole in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord enters the skull. The shape of the occipital condyle allows nodding and very slight side movements of the head.

It is useful to know the atlas anatomy. Atlas Bone is named for the Greek Titan Atlas because of its role in supporting the skull, it is also known as C1 and is the highest cervical vertebra. It is hollow when the spinal cord passes through it and has two bony structures that protrude laterally, one on both sides. These structures are referred to as side materials and are largely responsible for supporting the weight of the head on the neck.

The excellent aspects each articulate with the corresponding occipital condyle on the occipital bones are found on side materials. These aspects are concave oro cup surfaces that fit the rounded surfaces of the condyle, and their corresponding shapes allow the skull and atlas of the bone to slide back and forth against each other, allowing the head movement. Specifically, the joints found in each occipital condyle are Atlanto-skippital joints, condyloid or oval joints that allow flexion and extension or nod, head and a certain side flexion or bending side by side.

Fractures of the occipital condyle are not unusual and are often the result of trauma to the neck. Such fractures are linear, appear as a cracks in the occipital bone or compressed, and part of the surface of the condyle is pushed in. Linear fractures are generally less severe and recommending ED usually involves carrying a neck or halo that maintains the weight of the head outside the vertebrae. This gives the bones a chance to heal and also reduces the risk of spinal cord damage when contacting a broken bone.

Folded fractures are more likely to put pressure on nearby tissues. Therefore, surgery may be requiredto repair the damage to the area without threatening the spinal cord. However, mild compressed fractures can be treated as linear fractures and leaving passively heal with the neck.