A study on the morphology and morphometry of foramen ovale in dry human skulls

Abstract

An oval shape foramen is present in the greater wing of sphenoid through which passes the many vital structures. It is located at the transitional area between intracranial and extracranial structures. It is important for diagnostic and surgical procedures. A total 100 skulls were used for the study. 82 skulls were studied and 18 skulls were excluded from the study. The skulls were collected from Phase I MBBS students from different medical colleges in south India. Skulls in poor conditions or skulls with partly damaged surroundings of the foramen ovale were not considered. Maximum length and width of foramen ovale was measured using digital Vernier calliper. Also, the distance from the anterior root of zygoma and the distance from the articular tubercle on zygomatic arch to foramen ovale were measured. Variation in right and left side were calculated, the variations in shape also recorded. The mean length of foramen ovale was 6.8 ±1 and the mean breath of foramen ovale was 3.65±1. Two-sample independent t test showed significant difference between the right and left breadths of foramen ovale (p 0.0126), while the right and left lengths of foramen ovale were not significant (p 0.245). The mean distance of foramen ovale from articular tubercle on Zygomatic arch was 33±2 mm. The mean distance from anterior root of Zygomatic arch was 21.5 ± 2.1 mm. The present study concludes that there is significant difference between sizes of right and left side foramen ovale. Foramen ovale has practical significance to both neurosurgical and functional cranial neuroanatomy as it provides transcutaneous approaches to the skull base especially in cases of trigeminal neuralgia, as the Gasserion ganglion can be approached through it.