Morphometric and Anatomic Variations of Foramen Ovale in Human Skull and Its Clinical Importance

OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of information regarding the specific anatomy and clinical significance of variations of foramen ovale (FO). The present study was undertaken to define this anatomy in more detail and to review the literature regarding these anatomic variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 124 adult human dry skulls were analyzed for the variations in appearance and number of FO being noted. The length and width of the FO of both sides were determined using digital vernier calipers and area (A) was also calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 82 adult skulls, the values for the right side was 7.64 ± 1.194 mm, 5.128 ± 0.827 mm, and 30.808 ± 7.545 mm(2) and for the left side the values was 7.561 ± 1.123 mm, 5.244 ± 0.950 mm, and 31.310 ± 8.262 mm(2), respectively, for the mean length, width, and area of the FO. The shape of foramen was typically ovale in most of the skulls (56.70%) with some bony variations such as spine, tubercles, bony bridge/bar, and confluence. CONCLUSION: Such variants in the FO could interfere with transcutaneous needle placement into the FO or distort anatomic relationships during approaches to the cranial base.