FORAMEN OVALE AND FORAMEN ROTUNDUM: CHARACTERIZATION OF POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT

The sphenoid bone development occurs in both prenatal and postnatal periods. Sphenoid bone openings are used as surgical landmarks and are of great importance for neurosurgeons in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to identify morphological characteristics, postnatal development and remodeling, as well as clinical aspect of the sphenoid bone openings and to investigate their relationship and difference in size. The macerated sphenoid bones analyzed in this study were scanned by micro-computed tomography. Areas and distance in-between foramen ovale and foramen rotundum were measured. In addition, different shapes of foramen ovale were described. The most common shape of foramen ovale on both sides was oval, followed by the round, almond and elongated shapes. Modest to strong positive correlations between all foramina and age for the whole sample and both subsamples were presented, except for the right foramen rotundum area in the male subsample, which did not show significant correlation with age. Our study revealed changes in postnatal development and anatomy of foramen ovale and foramen rotundum, primarily in the aspects of size and shape, and should contribute to reducing the risk of damage to neurovascular structures during surgical procedures.