Dr. Abebe Muche Moges

Background: In Gondar University Teaching Hospital standardized tuberculosis prevention and control programme, incorporating Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) started in 2000. According to the proposal of World Health Organization (WHO), treatment outcome is an important indicator of tuberculosis control programs. This study investigated the outcome of tuberculosis treatment at Gondar University Teaching Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: We analyzed the records of 4000 tuberculosis patients registered at Gondar University Teaching Hospital from September 2003 to May 2008. Treatment outcome and tuberculosis type were categorized according to the national tuberculosis control program guideline. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model was used to analyse the association between treatment outcome and potential predictor variables. Results: From the total of 4000 patients, tuberculosis type was categorized as extrapulmonary in 1133 (28.3%), smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis in 2196 (54.9%) and smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in 671 (16.8%) cases. Of all patients, treatment outcome was classified as successfully treated in 1181(29.5%), defaulted in 730 (18.3%), died in 403 (10.1%), treatment failed in six (0.2%) and transferred out in 1680 (42.0%) patients. Males had the trend to be more likely to experience death or default than females, and the elderly were more likely to die than younger. The proportion of default rate was increased across the years from 97(9.2%) to 228(42.9%). Being female, age group 15-24 years, smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis and being urban resident were associated with higher treatment success rate. Conclusion: The treatment success rate of tuberculosis patients was unsatisfactorily low (29.5%). A high proportion of patients died (10.1%) or defaulted (18.3%), which is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed urgently.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) cause serious public health problem in Ethiopia. They are more prevalent in the poor segments of the population with low household income, poor handling of personal and environmental sanitation, over-crowding and limited access to clean water.Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and distribution of common IPs inMetema District Hospital (MDH). Methodology: This retrospective study was undertaken in MDH from September 14, 2005 to April 21, 2008. The study subjects were those who gave stool samples for IPs investigation in the laboratory. Stool specimens were examined microscopically for the presence of protozoan, cysts and trophozoites. Results: Of the total 2592 (44.5%) had one or more intestinal parasitic infections. E. histolytica, G. lamblia, the Hookworm species, and A. lumbricoides were detected as single infection in 1435(24.8%), 694(12.0%), 215(3.7%) and 112(1.9%) of the infected study subjects, respectively. Multiple infection was found in 125 (4.8%) of the total examined. The prevalence of amoe-biasis was significantly high in infants less than 1 year and teenagers than other age groups (P<0.05).In addition, higher pro-portions of teenagers were infected by Hookworm, 46 (13.3%). Conclusion: Intestinal parasitoses, particularly protozoan infections, were highly prevalent in the study area. Periodical de-worming (once in 3 to 6 months) in addition to health education on how to practice personal hygiene, food and water sanita-tion, and the proper use of the latrine should be given to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. Keywords: intestinal parasite, protozoan, multiple infection

Background: Diarrheal diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing world. Understanding the etiologic agents of diarrheal diseases and their association with socio-demographic characteristics of patients would help to design better preventive measures. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and enteropathogenic bacteria in diarrheic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 384 consecutive diarrheal patients who visited Gondar teaching hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia from October 2006 to March 2007 was conducted. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites and enteropathogenic bacteria following standard parasitological and microbiological procedures. Results: Intestinal parasites were diagnosed in 36.5% of the patients. The most frequently encountered protozoan parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.3%) followed by Giardia lamblia (5.0%), Cryptosporidium parvum (1.8%) and Isospora belli (1.3%). The dominant helminthic parasite identified was Ascaris lumbricoides (5.5%) followed by Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma mansoni (3.1% each), hookworm infection (1.8%), and Hymenolepis species (1.3%). Multiple infections of intestinal parasites were also observed in 6.3% of the patients. Among the enteropathogenic bacteria Shigella and Salmonella species were isolated from 15.6% and 1.6%, respectively, of the patients. Escherichia coli O57:H7 was not found in any of the stool samples tested. Eighty eight percent and 83.3% of the Shigella and Salmonella isolates were resistant to one or more commonly used antibiotics, respectively. Intestinal parasitosis was higher in patients who live in rural area, in patients who were washing their hands after visiting toilet either irregularly with soap and without soap or not at all, in patients who used well and spring water for household consumption, and in patients who had nausea (P < 0.05). Statistically significant associations were also observed between Shigella infections and patients who were using well and spring water for household consumption, and patients who had dysentery and mucoid stool (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The high prevalence of intestinal parasites and Shigella species in diarrheic patients calls for institution of appropriate public health intervention measures to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. The rational use of antibiotics should also be practiced. Keywords: Intestinal parasitosis, Shigellosis, Gondar

BACKGROUND: Recently, not only the medical school curriculum but also medical students’ attitude towards cadaver-based learning of anatomy has changed. This investigation is therefore designed to analyse students’ attitudes towards human cadaveric dissection before and after exposure to dissection. METHODS: A longitudinal survey was conducted among second year medical students in 2010 at the college of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar. All second year medical students (n=147) were included in the study where their attitudes were surveyed at three time points (one week prior to dissection session, a week after the initiation of dissection and eight weeks after the second survey). Three standardized and pretested questionnaires prepared in English were used to collected relevant data from the subjects. RESULTS: Out of the 147 students 85.7% were males. The subjects’ age ranged between 18 and 23 with a mean and standard deviation of 19.5+1 years. This study has revealed that among majority of the students fear and nausea have decreased while their interest and excitement has increased on subsequent exposure to dissection (P<0.05). About 75% of students considered the dissection room as slightly or highly stressful. Smell of the cadaver and eye irritation as a result of the chemicals in it were the major aspects identified as making the dissecting room stressful. The result also showed that almost all (99%) considered cadaver dissection had very important educational value for anatomy learning. CONCLUSION: In the majority of the students fear and nausea had decreased while interest and excitement had increased on subsequent exposure to dissection. It also showed that chemical odour and eye irritations were the leading factors which create discomfort in the dissection room even though anatomical dissection by itself was not considered as a stressor. Thus, instructors are recommended to adequately prepare students mentally and emotionally before the commencement of the dissection session for an exciting and stress free anatomy learning though dissection. KEYWORDS: Cadaver, dissection, attitude, Ethiopia

Rats of post natal day 6 were treated with ethanol, khat or vehicle for 30 days using blunt needle. At the end of the experiment, animals were scarified, their brains were dissected out and immersion fixed. The brain as a whole and cerebellum, separately were weighed, and cerebellum was processed for routine histology. Samples of serially sectioned tissues of cerebellum were stained with toluidine blue and observed using light microscope. At the end of the experimental period the body weight increment was found to be significantly less in the ethanol and khat treated (ET and KT) rats than their respective controls by 18.05% and 21.75%, respectively (P< 0.01). Between the treated rats, body weight increment was less for the ET rats by 4.51% than the KT rats, although it was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Similarly, the weight of the brain as a whole and cerebellar weight separately of the treated rats were significantly less than their respective controls (P<0.01). These weights were also less for the ET rats than for the KT rats, although not statistically significant. The mean diameter of Purkinje neurons was found to be less in the ethanol treated and khat treated rats than their respective controls by 28.66% and 11.44%, respectively (P<0.01). Moreover the attempt to study the effect of combination of ethanol and khat treatment was interrupted because the rats died after two days, and such combined consumption of these substances at this age was found to be fatal. In conclusion, the study depicted that PND 6 is an extremely vulnerable period to the exposure of high concentration of ethanol and khat, which result in morphological change of cerebellar cortex and reduction in diameter of Purkinje neurons of cerebellum.

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been characterized as a heparin binding angiogenic growth factor displaying high specificity for endothelial cells. It is profoundly accumulated and co‐localized with amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. In order to examine the effect of Aβ plaques on the expression level of VEGF mRNA and its receptors, brain tissue of both transgenic Tg2576 and wild type mice at ages ranging from 13 to 22 months was subjected to in situ hybridization followed by densitometric assessment using computer‐assisted image analysis. Strong expression of VEGF mRNA, fetal liver kinase (Flk)‐1 mRNA, and neuropilin (Nrp)‐1 mRNA in the piriform, entorhinal, somatosensory, frontal cortex and hippocampal formation of both transgenic and non‐transgenic mice brain was detected. Developmentally, only expression of VEGF mRNA was increased with age in the entorhinal, and somatosensory cortex of wild type mice. In 20‐month‐old transgenic Tg2576 mice, up‐regulation of VEGF mRNA, Flk‐1 mRNA, and Nrp‐1 mRNA transcripts was observed in the entorhinal cortex compared to age‐matched wild type mice. Our data suggest up‐regulation of VEGF mRNA, Flk‐1 mRNA and Nrp‐1 mRNA, at least in the entorhinal cortex at ages when Aβ deposition in Tg2576 is typically increasing.

BackgroundThe brachial plexus is usually formed by the fusion of anterior primary rami of the fifth to eighth cervical and the first thoracic spinal nerves. Variations in the formation of the brachial plexus may occur. Variations in brachial plexus anatomy are important to radiologists, surgeons and anaesthesiologists performing surgical procedures in the neck, axilla and upper limb regions. These variations may lead to deviation from the expected dermatome distribution as well as differences in the motor innervation of muscles of the upper limb. This study is aimed to describe the anatomical variations of brachial plexus in its formation among 20 Ethiopian cadavers.MethodsObservational based study was conducted by using 20 cadavers obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy at University of Gondar, Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Hawasa, Hayat Medical College and St Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Data analysis was conducted using thematic approaches.ResultsA total of 20 cadavers examined bilaterally for the formation of brachial plexus. Of the 40 sides, 30 sides (75%) were found normal, seven sides (17.5%) prefixed, three sides (7.5%) postfixed and one side of the cadaver lacks cord formation.ConclusionThe brachial plexus formation in most subjects is found to be normal. Among the variants, the numbers of the prefixed brachial plexuses are greater than the postfixed brachial plexuses.

Background. In Ethiopia traumatic dental injury (TDI) is seriously neglected, regardless of its current increased incidence rate. Objective. To determine the etiology and types of TDIs among traumatized patients admitted to Gondar University Hospital Dental Clinic (GUHDC) between September 2013 and August 2015. Methods. A retrospective descriptive study design was conducted using previous medical records of 309 patients. Records were retrieved, reviewed and analyzed. Results. A total of 309 dental traumatic patients with a mean age of 24.32±5.47 were admitted to the GUHDC. It was found that TDIs were most frequent in males (80.3%), 21–30 age range (47.2%) and rural residents (58.3%). Interpersonal violence (74.1%) and road traffi c accidents (23.3%) were the most common etiological factors. The study also revealed that maxillary central incisor was the most frequently affected tooth. Key words: Traumatic dental injury, interpersonal violence, etiology, pattern of fracture

Background: Oxidative stress is thought to be a key player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been assumed that oxidative stress contributes to the ß-amyloid deposition in cerebral blood vessels. Methods: In order to prove this hypothesis, we examined the effect of oxidative stress on the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in primary endothelial cells (EC) derived from cerebral cortical tissue of transgenic Tg2576 mice. Following exposure of EC by 1 μM hydrogen peroxide for up to 48 hours, formation and secretion of APP cleavage products sAPPα and sAPPß into the culture medium as well as the expression of endothelial APP were assessed. Results: Oxidative stress resulted in enhanced secretion of sAPPß into the culture medium as compared to controls (absence of hydrogen peroxide), which was accompanied by an increased APP expression, induction of VEGF synthesis, nitric oxide and oxygen free radicals productions, and differential changes of endothelial phospo-p42/44 MAPK expression. Conclusion: The data suggest that oxidative stress may represent a major risk factor in causing Aß deposition in the brain vascular system by initiating the amyloidogenic route of endothelial APP processing. The enhanced β-secretase activity following oxidative stress exposure, possibly promoted by phosphorylation of p42/44 MAPK.

The gastrocnemius muscle located on the posterior compartment of the leg, has two heads. Muscular variations presumably seriously compromise parts of the muscular, vascular, nervous, and skeletal and/or organ systems. The main causes of gastrocnemius muscle variation may be due to an error of embryologic developmental timing or persistence of an embryologic condition. On the other hand, variations in the origin, course, and termination of the superficial veins of the lower limb are common. However, variations of the short saphenous are rarely reported. Knowledge on the anatomical variations of structures has clinical significance to surgeons, radiologists who interpret plain and computerized imaging. Keywords:Bilateral, gastrocnemius, popliteal fossa, small saphenous vein, termination, variant muscle, variations

Introduction: Renal arteries are paired end arteries branched from abdominal aorta at the level of first lumbar vertebra (L1) and second lumbar vertebra (L2), which consumes around 20% of the cardiac output. Due to embryological and racial reasons variation in distribution of the renal artery is common. The aim of the present study is to describe the origin, distribution and possible variations of renal arteries. Methods and materials: Observational based study was conducted by using 30 cadavers (60 sides) obtained from the Department of Human Anatomy of six Ethiopian Medical Schools. Data analysis was conducted using thematic approaches. Results: Forty-seven percent of the main renal artery originates at the level of L1 from the abdominal aorta. Of the 10 (33.3%) accessory renal arteries, 7(63.63%) and 3 (27.27%) were identified on the left and right sides respectively. Conclusions: The variations of the main renal arteries mainly revolved around the level of origin and manifested prehilar branching pattern while entering into the kidney parenchyma. Another commonly observed variation was the existence of an accessory renal artery in different patterns. Hence, knowledge of renal vascular pattern and possible variations is very important in clinical and surgical procedures mainly during renal transplantation and other vascular interventions. Key Words: Main renal artery; Abdominal aorta; Variatio; Accessory renal artery

Background: An observational study was done on 380 patients (180 male and 200 female) whose abdominal USG was found normal and no disorder was diagnosed which alters the size of spleen to estimate normal linear dimensions of spleen in North-west Ethiopa adult population. Methods: The study was conducted between October 2017 and February, 2018 in the University of Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia. Informed verbal consent was taken. The sonographic measurements of spleen length, width and thickness were performed on both genders. Results: Two – tailed t-test analysis indicated a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001) between mean splenic dimensions (length, width, thickness, and volume) of male and female subjects. In all measurements, the mean spleen dimensions of male were greater than female. Conclusion: The present study provided the normal reference value and range of adult spleen size in both genders for the adults of Northwest Ethiopia, which will be useful for clinical assessment of spleen under any pathological conditions. Keywords:Ultrasonography, Spleen, Sexual dimorphism

Background: Spleen is a firm organ about the size of a clenched fist and is the largest member of lymphoid organs. Splenomegaly is enlargement of the spleen seen in a number of pathological conditions. These can be infections, haematological disorders, infiltrative states and immunological and malignant diseases. In Ethiopia, study of spleen size of the adult population was not reported previously. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the standard range of spleen size among different adult age groups in Northwest, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study design was performed at the University of Gondar, hospital from October 2017 to February 2018. By obtaining informed verbal consent sonographic measurements of spleen length, width and thickness were performed on 380 subjects. Results: A total of 380 adults comprising 180 (47%) males and 200 (53%) females were recruited. Of the subjects, 186 (49%) and 194 (51%) were urban and rural residents, respectively. The mean splenic length, width and thickness were 9.95 cm (±1.24), 4.3 (±.73), and 3.8 (±.87), respectively. Conclusion: The present study provided the normal reference value of adult spleen size for the adults of Northwest Ethiopia, which will be useful for clinical assessment of spleen under any pathological conditions. Keywords: Spleen, length, thickness, width, Sonography.

Superficial veins in the cubital fossa are a common site for obtaining venous blood for analysis, transfusion, and intravenous therapy. These superficial veins are often visible through the skin, and are anatomically variable. These include cephalic vein, basilic vein, median cubital vein, and median antebrachial vein. The objective of this study is to assess variations of superficial veins arrangement in the cubital fossa. A tourniquet was applied 10 cm proximal to elbow crease for about three minutes with active flexion and extension of fingers until the veins are exposed for observation. Four types of superficial venous patterns were identified in cubital fossa. From the total of 800 studied arms 58.5%, 18.6%, 14%, 8.9% had type 1, type 2, type 3, and type 4 patterns, respectively. In the majority of studied subjects, the veins patterns go with the findings of former studies. However, some rare venous patterns were also identified. Key words: Cubital fossa; superficial veins; variations

Background: Anterior fontanelle is the largest, prominent and most important fontanelle, which is used for clinical evaluation. It is mainly characterized by its size and shape variation and is possibly influenced by gender, race and genetics. Understanding the variation of anterior fontanelle is used for recognition of different medical disorders and abnormal skeletal morphogenesis. Objective: To determine the mean size of anterior fontanelle among term neonates on the first day of life born at University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study design was undertaken in 384 term and apparently healthy neonates, using standard methods. Descriptive analysis, student t-test, one way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient were implemented. Results: In this study, the mean size of anterior fontanelle in term neonates was 3.00 ± 0.62 cm (range 1.70-5.50 cm). The mean size of anterior fontanelle was 3.10 ± 0.66 cm for males, and 2.88 ± 0.57 cm for females. There was statistically significant difference in anterior fontanelle size in neonates of different genders (p<0.001), mode of delivery (p<0.001) and duration of labour (p = 0.006). However, the size of anterior fontanelle was not significantly affected by the birth order, onset of labour and socio-demographic variables of the mother except occupation of the mother (p = 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between the mean size of anterior fontanelle with birth weight (r = 0.11; p = 0.04) and head circumference (r = 0.17; p = 0.001). Conclusions: At term, male neonates had significantly larger anterior fontanelle than female neonates and anterior fontanelle size has a direct relationship with birth weight and head circumference.

The normal growth and development of the fetus depends on the proper growth and functioning of the placenta. The macroscopic morphology of the placenta is highly affected by pre-eclampsia. This study was carried out to assess macroscopic morphological variation of the human placenta among normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant mothers in Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 term placentas. One hundred fifty placentas from normotensive mothers and 50 placentas from pre-eclamptic mothers were included in the study. Placental parameters such as shape, weight, diameter, thickness and number of cotyledons were examined. Fetal weight was also detected. The data were analyzed by using independent two-sample t-test and chi-square test. According to this study, the majority (68%) of placentas in normotensive participants were discoid-shaped and 18% oval. While 54% of placenta in pre-eclamptic mothers were oval-shaped and 24% were irregular. Mean placental weight, diameter and number of cotyledon in pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia were significantly reduced as compared to normotensive mothers. The mean birth weight in pre-eclamptic pregnancies was significantly (p = 0.0001) lower than the mean birth weight in normotensive pregnancies. As a conclusion, mean fetal weight, placental weight, diameter, thickness and numbers of cotyledon in pre-eclamptic mothers were significantly lower than in normotensive mothers (p-value < 0.05). Placenta shape difference between normotensive and pre-eclamptic mothers was detected (p-value < 0.001). Keywords: Fetal weight �?? Macroscopic �?? Morphology �?? Placenta �?? Normotensive �?? Pre-eclampsia

Background: Spleen size is an integral part of abdominal ultrasonography (US) because both enlarged and small spleens can be indicative of a variety of physical conditions. The purpose of this study was to define age and region corrected normal values for spleen dimensions determined with USG. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study design was performed at the University of Gondar, hospital. The sonographic measurements of spleen length, width, thickness and volume were performed on 380 subjects. By Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients, the relation of spleen dimensions to age was evaluated. Results: The splenic dimensions (length, width and thickness) decreased with increase in age of adult subject in both male and female. Comparison between mean splenic dimensions between urban and rural residency showed no statistical significance differences (P>0.05) for splenic length, width and volume. There is a statistically significant negative correlation between the age of the female subjects and splenic dimensions (r=-0.146, -0.221, and -0.185 for spleen length, width, and thickness, respectively). For the male subjects, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between age of subjects and splenic length, width, thickness and volume (r=-0.271, P<0.0001, r=-0.354, p<0.0001, r=-0.223, p<0.01 and r=-0.282, p<0.0001, respectively) which decreased with age. Conclusion: The study showed that spleen dimensions correlate partly independently with age and provide reference tables and tools for assessment of the upper limits of normal spleen dimensions for a given region. Keywords: Spleen dimensions, Age, Ultra-sonography

The spleen is vital lymphatic organ in the human body which located in the left hypochondrial region. Currently, its anatomical variation with immunological and hematological functions for its clinical significance gets attention. The aim of this study was to assess the anatomical variation of spleen in an adult human cadaver. Methods: This study was conducted in 21 apparently normal adult male of unknown age human cadaveric spleens. institutional based observational descriptive study design was applied to assess the morphometric values of the spleen like its length, breadth, width and weight and the morphologic features like the shape, notches, borders, surfaces and impressions on the spleens were observed in all formalin fixed cadavers in selected university medical school of Ethiopian. Result: Out of 21 spleen samples various shapes of the spleens with triangular shaped 8 (38.10%), wedge shaped 5 (23.81%), tetrahedral shaped 3 (14.29%), oval shaped 4 (19.04%) and kidney shaped 1 (4.76 %) of the spleens were observed .The lengths of the spleens varied between 9.7 cm to 13.7 cm, with an average of 11.2 cm. Their breadth was between 3.5 and 9.5 cm with an average breadth of 6.6 cm. Their widths varied between 2.3 and 7.3 cm with an average of 5.0 cm. The weights of the spleens showed great variations, ranging between 45.72 and 331.41 gm, with an average of 147.76 gm. Out of 21 spleen samples,18 (85.71%) of spleens had the hilar length varies from 4-8 cm with an average of 4.5 cm. The splenic notches were present on the superior, intermediate and inferior borders. However, accessory spleens were not found at the hilum of the spleen. The knowledge on the anatomical variations of the spleen is of fundamental importance to the clinicians during the routine clinical examinations of the abdomen. Key Words: Spleen; Anatomical variation; Morphology; Morphometry

Mandibular foramen is an irregular foramen located above the center on the medial surface of the ramus, containing the inferior alveolar nerve. This study aimed at determining the position of the mandibular foramen in adult Ethiopian populations. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia, on 130 human dry adult human mandibles of unknown gender and age. The position of right and left mandibular foramina was determined in reference to the distance of different landmarks with the help of sliding digital vernier caliper. The data were analyzed using SPSS version-20. The data were compared using Student’s t-test. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The average distance of mandibular foramen from the anterior border of mandibular ramus was 23.81 ± 0.332 mm (right side) and 24.73 ± 0.456 mm (left side); from the posterior border of the ramus was 16.99 ± 0.273 mm (right side) and 16.23 ± 0.252 mm (left side), P<0.05. The mandibular foramen was located 20.19 ± 0.379 mm and 19.32 ± 0.346 mm away from the gonion of right and left sides, respectively. Furthermore, on average the mandibular foramen was away from the mandibular notch at a distance of 21.82 ± 0.356 mm (right side) and 21.65 ± 0.329 mm (left side). Conclusion: Anatomical knowledge of the average distance of mandibular foramen from various anatomical landmarks is useful for surgeons to safeguard from neurovascular complication.KeywordsMandible foramen, inferior alveolar nerve, failure of anesthesia.

Background: The foramen magnum (FM) is the largest opening and is outlet through which medulla oblongata and spinal cord along with meninges, vertebral arteries, anterior and posterior spinal arteries, tectorial membrane, alar ligaments, and spinal branch of the accessory nerve. Occipital condyle (OC) is an important part of craniovertebral or craniocervical junction located anterolaterally on either side of the FM. The objective of the study was to assess variations of FM and OC in Ethiopian dried adult skulls. Methods: Observation-based descriptive study design was employed. The study was undertaken in 54 FM and 108 OC of 54 adult Ethiopian skulls. The morphometry of FM and OC were determined using a sliding vernier caliper. Results: The mean values of anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the FM were 35.19 and 30.17 mm, respectively, and the mean area of the FM was 853.36 mm2. The shapes of FM were determined as round in 22.2%, oval in 18.5%, egg like in 20.4%, triangular in 3.7%, pentagonal in 11.1%, hexagonal in 7.4%, irregular in 13%, and rectangular in 3.7% of the cases. The mean length of right and left OC was 25.69 and 26.96 mm, respectively, and the mean widths of the right and left OC were 12.76 and 13.04 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Our study identified various shapes of FM and diameter. The anteroposterior diameter is greater than the transverse diameter. The morphometric study of OC confirmed the length of left side is significantly greater than the right side.