Clinicoanatomical Study of Foramen Magnum and its Significance in Surgeries

Authors

  • Sachin Patil Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, ANIIMS, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
  • Dharmendra Kumar Associate Professor & Head, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, ANIIMS, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

Keywords:

Foramen Magnum, Morphometry, Occipital Condyles

Abstract

Introduction: The dimensions of the Foramen Magnum are surgically important because the compression of any structure passing through it can lead to severe complications.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and five dried human skulls were classified as round, oval, and egg, pentagonal, hexagonal and irregular. The antero-posterior and transverse diameters were measured by using digital Vernier callipers. The Foramen Magnum Index was calculated by the formula: Anteroposterior diameter/ Transverse diameter.

Results: In our study, the irregular shaped Foramen Magnum was found to be the highest in incidence. The mean antero-posterior and transverse diameters of the foramen magnum were recorded as 37.65 mm and 32.44 mm while the foramen magnum index was 88.68.

Conclusion: The morphological and morphometric measurements of foramen magnum of skulls are of forensic importance. The neurosurgeons, orthopedicians and radiologists should be aware of these variations to avoid any complications during surgeries or any other procedures.

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Published

2019-10-11

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2019): Recent Advances in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Section

Research Article

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