Topics

Topic

design image
Occipital condyle

The occipital condyles are paired, oval-shaped bony structures located on the inferolateral aspect of the occipital bone, adjacent to the foramen magnum. They articulate with the superior facets of the atlas (C1 vertebra), forming the atlanto-occipital joint, which allows flexion, extension, and slight lateral rotation of the head. Each condyle has a convex articular surface facing the superior facets of the atlas, and is surrounded by dense cortical bone and underlying cancellous bone, which contributes to load transmission from the skull to the cervical spine. The occipital condyles also serve as attachment points for ligaments and muscles such as the alar ligaments and rectus capitis lateralis muscles.

Synonyms

  • Condylus occipitalis

  • Cranial condyle

  • Skull base condyle

Function

  • Forms the atlanto-occipital joint with the atlas (C1 vertebra)

  • Enables flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the head

  • Transmits cranial weight to the cervical spine

  • Provides attachment for ligaments and muscles stabilizing the craniovertebral junction

MRI Appearance
T1-weighted images:

  • The occipital condyles appear as low- to intermediate-signal bony structures

  • Surrounded by hyperintense fat in the prevertebral and paravertebral spaces, enhancing contrast

  • Bone marrow within the condyles shows slightly higher signal intensity, depending on marrow composition

  • Fractures or lytic lesions appear as focal areas of altered signal intensity or discontinuity

T2-weighted images:

  • Cortical bone is hypointense, while marrow is intermediate to hyperintense

  • Edema or inflammatory changes appear bright, making T2 useful for trauma or infection evaluation

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression highlights bone marrow edema, infection, or neoplastic infiltration

  • Normal cortical bone is low signal, while pathology appears hyperintense, facilitating early detection

CT Appearance

  • Occipital condyles are hyperdense, well-corticated bony projections at the inferolateral aspect of the foramen magnum

  • Clearly visualized in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes, ideal for fracture evaluation, congenital anomalies, or surgical planning

MRI images

Occipital Condyle mri axial image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Occipital Condyle mri axial image