Hypoglossal canal

The bottom of  ventral condylar fossa (Fossa condylaris ventralis), a deep depression on the exocranial surface of the lateral part of the occipital bone, rostrolaterally to the back of the condyle,  is pierced by the hypoglossal canal (Canal n.hypoglossi)-formerly 'condylar hole' that gives way to the twelfth cranial nerve through the bone from side to side. Smaller vascular orifices exist in certain species.