Objective: Dorello's canal was first described in 1859. Later, Dorello and Vail described Dorello's
canal's anatomy. In the past, Dorello's canal was clinically important for understanding
6th nerve palsy, but nowadays it is mostly important for skull base surgery. Understanding
the three-dimensional (3D) anatomy of this canal is very difficult; there is no simple
explanation of it and its relationship with adjacent structures. We present a simple,
Lego-like presentation of Dorello's canal, in a stepwise manner.
Materials and Methods: Dorello's canal was dissected in five formalin-fixed cadaver specimens (10 sides).
The craniotomy was performed while preserving neural and vascular structures associated
with the canal. A 3D model was created to explain the canal's anatomy.
Results: Using the petrous pyramid, the 6th nerve, the cavernous sinus, the trigeminal ganglion,
the petroclival ligament, and the posterior clinoid, the 3D structure of Dorello's
canal was defined. This simple representation aids in understanding the relationship
of Dorello's canal to its neighboring structures.
Conclusion: Dorello's canal with its 3D structure and relationship to its neighboring anatomical
structures could be reconstructed using a few anatomical building blocks. This method
simplifies the understanding of this complex anatomical structure, and could be used
for teaching purposes for aspiring neurosurgeons and anatomy students.
