Morphometric and morphologic study of Foramen Ovale in In Indian population

Abstract

Background:The floor of middle cranial fossa shows several foramina through which vital neural and vascular structures pass. Thus, the knowledge of normal and variant anatomy of these foramina is important. One such foramen is Foramen ovale which allows the passage of certain important structures.
 Aims and Objective:This study also aimed to provide a base line data to neurosurgeons for easy and safe approach to middle cranial fossa. Thus, to fulfill the above, the morphometric and morphologic characteristics of the foramenovalewere studied and the observed metric and non-metric parameters were compared with those of previous studies.
 Materials and Methods:The study has been conducted on 160 adult non-pathological dry human skulls of unknown age and sex. Those parts of broken skulls were included in the study in which the area of Foramen ovale was intact. All the parameters were obtained by one observer only to avoid inter-observer error. The foramen ovale was identified and different metric and non-metric parameters were observed and measured.
 Results:The most common shape on both sides was noted to be transversely oval. Out of 160 skulls, 2 skulls (1.25%) showed accessory FO bilaterally. 4 skulls showed divided FO on left side. Out of 4, 2 skulls( 1.25%) were noted to have bony bar and in 2 skulls (1.25%) the main FO were divided by bony plate.
 Conclusion: The morphologic variations of Foramen Ovale in the form of accessory foramen and presence of bony bar / bony plate are common. This study will provide a baseline data as well as frequency of related variations in our population for a safer approach by the surgeons.