Morphometric analysis of foramen ovale and foramen spinosum in adult dry human skulls of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand

Introduction: Foramen ovale and spinosum are present in sphenoid bone at the middle skull base. The mandibular nerve, lesser petrosal nerve, accessory meningeal artery and an emissary vein passes through the foramen ovale. The middle meningeal artery, a recurrent meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve and an emissary vein passes through the foramen spinosum.Aim and Objectives: To Perform measurement of foramen ovale and foramen spinosum, and to observe any anatomic variations related to these foramina. Material and Methods: This study was performed on 27 dry human skulls procured from Anatomy Department, Uttarakhand of unknown gender and age.Results: The Antero-posterior diameter of foramen ovale ranged from 5–11 mm on right and 5–15 mm on left side while the medio-lateral diameter was 2–5 mm and 3–6 mm on left side respectively. The distance of foramen ovale from midline and petrous apex ranged from 18–25 mm and 5–10 mm on right side while 17–24 mm and 5–11 mm on left side respectively. The maximum diameter of foramen spinosum ranged from 1–4 mm on right and 1–5 mm on left side. The distance of foramen spinosum from midline and petrous apex was 26–32 mm and 7–15 mm on right side; 25–30 mm and 9–15 mm on the left side respectively. The most common shape of foramen ovale was found to be oval (81.5%) while of foramen spinosum was round.Conclusion: The morphometric data of the foramen will help in comparison of individuals from different regions. For surgical procedures in the middle cranial base, the knowledge about the variations of these foramina should be taken into account and the data presented from this study will suffice for that purpose.