The basiocciput of 265 Indian adult human skulls was examined for prec
ondylar tubercles, which are single or paired osseous formations anter
ior to the occipital condyles and foramen magnum. Of the 14% of skulls
displaying these tubercles unilaterally or bilaterally, 5.3% demonstr
ated ridges, 4.9% showed spines and 3.8% exhibited processes. Sexual d
imorphism was evident with female skulls showing a higher incidence (8
.7%) compared with male skulls (5.3%). The corresponding atlas vertebr
ae were normal. These craniovertebral anomalies may have clinical rele
vance for lesions at the foramen magnum.