Abstract
IntroductionThe anatomical complexity of the jugular foramen makes surgical procedures in this region delicate and difficult. Due to the advances in surgical techniques, approaches to the jugular foramen became more frequent, requiring improvement of the knowledge of this region anatomy. ObjectiveTo study the anatomy of the jugular foramen, internal jugular vein and glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves, and to identify the anatomical relationships among these structures in the jugular foramen region and lateral-pharyngeal space. MethodsA total of 60 sides of 30 non-embalmed cadavers were examined few hours after death. The diameters of the jugular foramen and its anatomical relationships were analyzed. ResultsThe diameters of the jugular foramen and internal jugular vein were greater on the right side in most studied specimens. The inferior petrosal sinus ended in the internal jugular vein up to 40mm below the jugular foramen; in 5% of cases. The glossopharyngeal nerve exhibited an intimate anatomical relationship with the styloglossus muscle after exiting the skull, and the vagal nerve had a similar relationship with the hypoglossal nerve. The accessory nerve passed around the internal jugular vein via its anterior wall in 71.7% of cadavers. ConclusionAnatomical variations were found in the dimensions of the jugular foramen and the internal jugular vein, which were larger in size on the right side of most studied bodies; variations also occurred in the trajectory and anatomical relationships of the nerves. The petrosal sinus can join the internal jugular vein below the foramen.
Highlights
MethodsThe jugular foramen is an opening in the petro-occipital fissure formed by the junction of the petrous portion of the temporal bone and the lateral border of the occipital bone
In 66.6% of the specimens, the vein was larger on the right side, 10% had equal diameters, and in 23.4%, the internal jugular vein was larger on the left side (Fig. 2)
The results of this study showed that important anatomical variations exist in the lower opening of the jugular foramen
Summary
MethodsThe jugular foramen is an opening in the petro-occipital fissure formed by the junction of the petrous portion of the temporal bone and the lateral border of the occipital bone. The inferior petrosal sinus, which drains blood from the cavernous sinus to the jugular bulb or to the internal jugular vein itself, and one or more branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery or the occipital artery to the meninges,[1,2,4] are found in the jugular foramen region. This anatomical complexity makes performing surgical procedures in this region delicate and difficult.[5] The anatomical relationships of the structures emerging from the lower opening of the jugular foramen and their relationships in the lateral-pharyngeal space are of great interest in the fields of head and neck and skull base surgery. This study was performed with the objective of studying the anatomy of the jugular foramen, the internal jugular vein and the glossopharyngeal, vagal and accessory nerves in the jugular foramen region and lateral-pharyngeal space
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
