Morphometric and Morphological Analysis of Foramen Spinosum in North Indian Human Skulls

Dr.Vanita Gupta; Dr. Nisha Goyal; Dr. Aditi Bhatnagar; Vidit Dixit; Dr. Archana Sinha

Volume : VIII, Issue : IX, September - 2019

Morphometric and Morphological Analysis of Foramen Spinosum in North Indian Human Skulls

Dr. Vanita Gupta, Dr. Nisha Goyal, Dr. Aditi Bhatnagar, Vidit Dixit, Dr. Archana Sinha

Abstract :

Foramen spinosum is located in the infratemporal surface of greater wing of sphenoid, it transmits vital neurovascular structures between infratemporal and middle cranial fossa. It forms a significant landmark while performing microsurgery in the region of middle cranial fossa and in dealing with base of skull trauma surgeries. The present study was conducted to determine the morphometric and morphological variations in the foramen spinosum in north Indian human skulls. Total of 58 skulls of unknown sex were used for the study. Foramen spinosum was found to be round shape in 51.79% (33 right side & 25 left side), oval in 32.14% ( 16 right side & 20 left) and irregular in 16.07% (8 right & 10 left), with predominance of round shape on both right and left side. The mean Antero–Posterior diameter was 2.26mm on right side and 2.42mm on left side. The mean transverse diameter was 2.02 mm and 2.03mm on right & left side respectively. The mean distance between foramen ovale and foramen spinosum was 2.64mm on right side (distance varying from 1.02mm to 7.08mm), and 2.71mm on left side (range of 1.10 to 6.07mm). The knowledge about the precise position and morphometric analysis would be useful for radiologist and neurosurgeons while interpreting radiographs and in surgical interventions in the region of middle cranial and infratemporal fossa.