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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Duplicated hypoglossal canal prevalence in a fetal and infantile population: neurosurgical considerations
Veronica A Gibbons1, Matthew J Zdilla2
1Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Laboratory Medicine (PALM), West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA.
Purpose:
The hypoglossal canal can develop bony ingrowths that create the appearance of hypoglossal canal duplication, encroach upon neurovasculature, and complicate condylectomy and transcondylar neurosurgical approaches. Numerous reports have identified the prevalence of the duplicated hypoglossal canal in adults; yet, data in the pediatric population remains limited. Therefore, this study assesses hypoglossal canal duplication among a fetal and infantile population.
Methods:
The study assessed hypoglossal canals in dry exoccipital bones from a modern population of 112 fetal and infantile crania of varied sex and population affinity, documented only as "black" and "white" in archival records, ranging in age from 5-month intrauterine development to 12-month postnatal development.
Results:
Complete duplicated hypoglossal canals were found in 8:107 (7.48%) crania, 4:63 (6.35%) of fetal crania and 4:44 of infantile crania (9.09%); 8:205 (3.9%) exoccipital bones, 4:124 (3.23%) of fetal exoccipital bones, and 4:81 (4.94%) of infantile exoccipital bones. Regarding sex, complete duplicated hypoglossal canals were found in 4:91 (4.4%) female exoccipital bones and 4:114 (3.5%) male exoccipital bones. In "black" individuals, complete duplication was found in 3:115 (2.6%) exoccipital bones; and in "white" individuals, complete duplication was found in 5:90 (5.55%) exoccipital bones. Duplication was more common on the left, 5:107 (4.67%), as compared to the right, 3:107 (2.8%). No bilateral duplications were found. Incomplete duplications were found in 4:107 crania (3.74%) and only on the right side.
Conclusions:
Hypoglossal canal duplication can be present in the youngest of patients regardless of age, sex, and ancestry. Duplications may cause radiological and surgical confusion; thus, this report may help prevent adverse neurosurgical events.
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