The occipital condyles are two oval, convex articular processes on the lateral parts of the occipital bone, on either side of the foramen magnum. They rest in the superior articular facets of the atlas, forming the atlanto-occipital joints that allow nodding of the head.
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| Ossification | Formed by the lateral (exoccipital) parts of the occipital bone, which ossify in cartilage from centres appearing at about the eighth fetal week and fuse with the basiocciput at about 6 years. |
Occipital condyle fractures follow high-energy trauma to the head and neck and are usually seen only on CT. They may accompany atlanto-occipital dislocation, a frequently fatal injury of the craniocervical junction. Because the hypoglossal canal lies just above each condyle, condylar fractures or tumours can cause tongue weakness, and lower cranial nerve palsies may follow.
A fracture from axial load or lateral bending at the skull base, classified by Anderson and Montesano into impaction, skull base extension and alar ligament avulsion types.
Disruption of the ligaments between the condyles and the atlas, usually from high-speed deceleration, which is often fatal and needs urgent stabilisation in survivors.
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