American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 131, Issue 6, 1037-1040
Copyright © 1978 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Radiology of the jugular tubercles
AG Osborn,
WR Brinton,
and
WH Smith
The jugular tubercles are two small protuberances that arise from the inferolateral margins of the clivus and project posterosuperiorly over the hypoglossal canals. The jugular tubercles are clearly seen on routine anteroposterior temporal bone tomograms and may be identified on axial or coronat CT scans. Varying widely in size and configuration, these structures are usually somewhat ovoid but can be elongated, gently squared, or asymmetric. Despite this variation in size and appearance, no normal instances were found in which the superior surface of the jugular tubercles appeared either flattened or concave. The radiology of the normal and pathologic jugular tubercle is described. The material outlined was derived from radiographic studies of both dried skulls and a variety of normal and abnormal clinical cases.