ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF FORAMEN OVALE

Abstract:Background: The foramen ovale is an oval opening in the greater wing of sphenoid bone transmitting the mandibular nerve as its major content. It serves as an important landmark for neurosurgeons in certain procedures as to gain access to trigeminal nerve. Therefore, its topographic position in relation to adjacent bony landmarks provides useful tool during these procedures.Aim:of the study is to identify the occurrence of these variations because of its importance in neurosurgeries.Material and Methods:The study was done by taking 30 adult dry skulls of unknown of both sex. The greater wing of the sphenoid bone was examined to identify the foramen ovale. First the shape of the foramen ovale was noted, taking into account of oval, almond, round and slit shaped foramen. Then the presence of the bony outgrowth such as spine, bony plate and tubercle was observed. The numbers of bony outgrowths present in the skulls were recorded.Results: The study was conducted on a total of 60 sides in the 30 dry adult human skulls. On visual inspection of the foramen ovale of the given skulls showed that 48 foramina out of 60 foramina had an oval shaped foramen, 7 foramina showed almond shaped foramen, 4 foramina showed round shaped foramen and 1foramina showed a slit shaped foramen. Incidences of oval, almond round and slit shaped foramen were 80%, ~12%, ~7% and ~2% respectively.Out of 60 sides in 30 adult skulls, 8 foramina out of 60 foramina showed the presence of a bony spine, 4 foramina showed the presence of a tubercle and 7 foramina showed the presence of a bony plate. Incidences of Spine, Tubercle and Bony plate were 13%, 6% and 11.6% respectively.Conclusion: The study is done to understand the different anatomical variations of foramen ovale. Therefore, it is of clinical importance to medical practitioners in case of trigeminal neuralgia or any other lesions seen in the cranial cavity.