A Study on the Dimensions of Hypoglossal Canal in Southern Nigerian Crania.

Abstract

The hypoglossal canal is a bony canal in the occipital bone of the skull. It is the passageway for the hypoglossal nerves. This study was aimed at determining the incidence/dimensions of single and double hypoglossal canal, and if these varies with sex. 79 dry crania, out of which 55 were males and 24 females, were used for this study. A  Digital Vernier caliper was used to carry out measurements on the internal and external diameters of both sides. The result indicates that there was a significant difference in the size of all the dimensions measured from the hypoglossal canal (P<0.05) between the male and female groups of this population. The variation is both unilaterally and bilaterally present, with bilateral single hypoglossal canal being more prevalent.

In conclusion, the size of the hypoglossal canal is sex specific since there are significant differences.

Key words: Incidence, hypoglossal canal, sexes, Nigeria.