Variations in foramen ovale in Adult human skulls of North Indian Population

Introduction:Inferior surface of each greater wing of sphenoid bone forms part of the middle cranial cavity of the skull containing numerous foramina and fissures which accommodate many nerves and vessels.Foramen ovale is an important foramen present in the middle cranial cavity, at the posterior aspect of each greater wing of sphenoid bone.An anatomical study was conducted to observe the variations in foramen ovale. Method:Our study was conducted on the total 50 dried adult human skulls of North Indian population.These skulls obtained from the Department of Anatomy in different medical colleges.Posterior part of greater wing of sphenoid bone was carefully observed for the study of variations in foramen ovale.Discussion: Out of 50 dry skulls 100 foramen ovale was observed in both sides.The majority of foramen ovale were observed as oval 87% of the total, the next most common shape was round 4% of the total.Triangular, almond longitudinal slit, pear shaped were less common at both sides. Result:In the right side of the skulls 42 foramen ovale were oval, 3 were round and 1 of each were triangular, longitudinal slit and almond.In right side of the foramen ovale no pear-shaped foramen ovale were found in the skull studied.Oval shaped foramen ovale was highest 87% and round was 4%.Further triangular, longitudinal slit and almond were 3%,2%,1% respectively. Conclusion:The shape of foramen ovale was variable, typically oval shape foramen observed in most of the skulls.In our study there was no statistical significance difference in morphometric dimension.