Microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen

Objective: To provide the microanatomical basis for surgical treatment of lesions related to jugular forament Methods: The jugular foramen were observed and measured under the surgical microscope on 20 adult cadaveric head specimens fixed in formalin and 10 adult skull specimens.Results: The jugular foramen was divided into three compartments: the sigmoid part, the petrosal part and the neural part. The latter was located between the sigmoid and petrosal parts, and the glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves passed throuhg it. The length of jugular foramen was 13.4±1.1 mm; the width of sigmoid part was 9.1 ± 1.9 mm; height of sigmoid part was 7. 3 ± 2. 2 mm; the distance between the exocranial and endocranial of jugular forament was 12. 7 ± 1.5 mm. The jugular bulb received drainages from both intracanial and extracranial source was housed in the jugular fossa, and it had a very thin wall. There were three high jugular bulbs in 20 sides of cadaver head specimens. Conclusion: The vital nerves and vascular structures can be protected in operation if we are familiar with the microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen.