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Medicolegal Importance of the Foramen Ovale, in Determination of Sex, in Dried Adult Egyptians Human Skulls (Morphometric & Morphological Study)

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Abstract

Anatomical variations of the skull foramens have been of interest for anthropologists, forensic scientists and neuroanatomists. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the morphometric measurements foramen ovale to proof its anatomical variations for sex determination in Egyptian dried adult skulls. This study included 25 dry adult human skulls (50 FO); 13 males and 12 females. A digital caliper was used to measure the dimensions of the FO (Length and width); these measurements were taken by two researchers separately. All measurements were conducted bilaterally and repeated three times, the data were statistically analyzed and a comparison between both sides (right and left) FO in skulls of both sexes were done. It was found that there wane differences between the averages meas ±SD length and the width of both sides of FO (left and right) in male skulls with no statistical significance. The same results were found in female skulls. Based on the gender, the linear metric measurements of F.O in skulls of both sexes showed statistical significant difference on the average means ± SD in the length and width of the right and left sides. Various shapes of the F.O were observed in the studied skulls, and the most common shape was the oval shape followed by the almond shape. It can be concluded that, the metric analysis of FO can be useful as a supplement to other skeletal measurements aiming at establishing gender identity of individuals. Also the foramen ovale has a great variation in different countries.
Mansoura J. Forens. Med. Clin. Toxicol., Vol. 26, No. 2, July. 2018
27
Medicolegal Importance of the Foramen Ovale, in
Determination of Sex, in Dried Adult Egyptians Human
Skulls (Morphometric & Morphological Study)
Ayman A. Nagy1, Nasr A.Y. 2, Abdel Moty Kabbash1
ABSTRACT
KEYWORDS
Identification,
Foramen ovale morphology
and morphometery,
Gender identification.
Anatomical variations of the skull foramens have been of interest for
anthropologists, forensic scientists and neuroanatomists. This study aimed to
determine the effectiveness of the morphometric measurements foramen ovale to
proof its anatomical variations for sex determination in Egyptian dried adult skulls.
This study included 25 dry adult human skulls (50 FO); 13 males and 12 females. A
digital caliper was used to measure the dimensions of the FO (Length and width);
these measurements were taken by two researchers separately. All measurements
were conducted bilaterally and repeated three times, the data were statistically
analyzed and a comparison between both sides (right and left) FO in skulls of both
sexes were done. It was found that there wane differences between the averages
meas ±SD length and the width of both sides of FO (left and right) in male skulls with
no statistical significance. The same results were found in female skulls. Based on the
gender, the linear metric measurements of F.O in skulls of both sexes showed
statistical significant difference on the average means ± SD in the length and width of
the right and left sides. Various shapes of the F.O were observed in the studied
skulls, and the most common shape was the oval shape followed by the almond
shape. It can be concluded that, the metric analysis of FO can be useful as a
supplement to other skeletal measurements aiming at establishing gender identity of
individuals. Also the foramen ovale has a great variation in different countries.
Introduction
The anatomical variations of foramens of
the skull have been of interest for
anthropologists, forensic scientists and
neuroanatomists (Humphrey et al., 1999).
These variants between different populations
may be referred to socioeconomic factors,
_________________________________________
(1)Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology
Department, Tanta University, Egypt.
(2)Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig
University, Zagazig, Egypt and King Abdul-Aziz
University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
.
environmental, as well as genetic factors
(Saunders and Yang, 1999).
Craniometrical measurements of different
anatomical features of skulls enable us to
determine the sex as a part of complete
identification of body, which is an important
component both in criminal investigations and
in general preparedness for mass fatality
incidents (Rosing, 2007).
The differences in measurements and
shapes of foramina of skulls in different
genders are mainly determined by genetic
factors as well as nutrition, hormones, or
muscles (Gunay, 2000). The bones of skull
Nagy et al.
Mansoura J. Forens. Med. Clin. Toxicol., Vol. 26, No. 2, July. 2018
28
base are protected by its anatomical position
and surrounding soft tissues, which makes it
useful for identification in a case of destruction
of cranial and facial bones as in case of mass
disasters, explosion, or violence, that make it
difficult for identification or sex determination
(Graw, 2001).
Foraminen ovale (FO) are one of the
important foramina of the middle cranial fossa.
(Sharma et al, 2016). It lies close to the
posterior border of the pterygoid plate,
posterior to the foramen rotundum. The lesser
petrosal nerve, mandibular nerve and the
accessory meningeal artery, are its main
components (Standring, 2006).
Normally, the FO has a different linear
measurements and shapes. Very limited studies
had been done to determine those variants in
different populations.
This study aimed to determine the
effectiveness of the morphometric measure-
ments of FO to proof its anatomical variations
for sex determination in Egyptian dried adult
skulls.
Material and Methods
The material for the present study
included twenty five dry adult human skulls
(50 FO); 13 males and 12 females skulls. The
skulls were obtained from the Department of
Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of
Tanta, Egypt. The approval of this study was
obtained from the Ethics committee, Quality
assurance Unit of Faculty of Medicine,
University of Tanta, Egypt. A digital caliper
(JOMARCA) of 0.1 mm was used to measure
the dimensions of the FO (length and width),
these measurements were taken three times by
two researchers separately, the averages mean
± SD of each researcher was calculated then
the averages mean ± SD of both results was
recorded. All measurements were conducted
bilaterally. Broken or fragmented skulls
especially at the pterygoid plate were excluded
and data were recorded and a comparison
between both foramina (Right and left) in both
sexes of skulls (Male and female skulls were
determined according to the anatomical
features.
Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis of the present study
was conducted using the software of SPSS Inc.
Chicago, IL, USA, version 21.Quantitative data
was tabulated in mean ± SD for parametric
variables. Chi square test was used to examine
the association between categorical variables.
For parametric variables, Student t test was
used to compare the mean between two
independent groups. The level of significance
was adopted at the 5% and the significance
threshold (p value) was set at less than 0.05.
Results
Morphometric results:
It was found that the mean ± SD of the
length of FO on the left side in males skull was
7.7 ± 1.21 mm while on the right side it was
6.9 ± 1.13 mm with no statistical significant
difference p1> 0.05 (Table1). The average
mean ± SD of the width of the foramen ovale
in male skull was 5.63 ±1.26 mm and 5.58 ±
1.18 mm for left and right sides respectively,
these results were of no significant variance
(p1> 0.05) (Table2).
Regarding female skulls the average
mean ± SD of the length of F.O was 6.9 ± 1.13
mm and 7.02 ± 1.19 mm on the left and right
sides respectively. The average mean ± SD of
the width of F.O of the females skulls were 5.1
Nagy et al.
Mansoura J. Forens. Med. Clin. Toxicol., Vol. 26, No. 2, July. 2018
29
± 0.97 mm and 5.02 ± 1.08 mm in the left and
right sides respectively. There was no
significant variance between the length of both
sides as well as the width of both sides in the
female skulls (p1> 0.05) (Tables1& 2).
Based on the gender, the linear metric
measurements of F.O in male and female skulls
showed statistical significant difference of the
average means ± SD in the length and width.
As the length of the left side was 7.7 ± 1.21
mm and 6.9 ± 1.13 mm in males and females
respectively (p< 0.05) while on the right side it
was 7.68 ± 1.32 mm and 7.02 ± 1.19 mm in
males and females respectively (p< 0.05) as
shown in (Table 1).
While the averages mean ± SD of width
of the foramen oval on left side, it was 5.63 ±
1.26 mm and 5.1 ± 0.97 mm in males and
females respectively (p> 0.05) as shown in
(Table 2). The results showed statistical
significance (p< 0.05) between the averages
mean ± SD of the width on the right side 5.58 ±
1.18 mm and 5.02 ± 1.08 mm of males and
females respectively.
Morphological Study
Various shapes of the F.O were observed
in studied skulls. The results showed typical
foramina oval (Fig.1a & b) in 58% (30 on the,
right side, 28 on the left), almond shape in 33%
(Fig.2) (16 and 17 right and left foramina
respectively), other forms such as slit like and
bizarre shapes (Fig.3, 4) 9% (4 right, 5 left)
and there was no statistical difference between
different shapes on both sides (p> 0.05)
(Table 3).
Table (1): The length of the left and right foramen ovale, in both male and female skulls.
Length in mm
(Mean ± SD)
Males
(n=13)
Females
(n=12) t. test p. value
Left FO 7.7 ± 1.21 6.9 ± 1.13 3.423 0.001*
Right FO 7.68 ± 1.32 7.02 ± 1.19 2.632 0.001*
t. test 0.082 0.523
p1. value 0.937 0.606
SD: standard deviation, mm: millimeter, n: number, F.O: foramen ovale, t: Independent samples test, *means
significant, p = difference between males & females and p1=difference between left and right FO.
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Table (2): The width of the left and right foramen ovale, in both male and female skulls.
Width in mm
(Mean ± SD)
Males
(n=13)
Females
(n=12) t. test p value
Left 5.63 ± 1.26 5.1 ± 0.97 2.362 0.020*
Right 5.58 ± 1.18 5.02 ± 1.08 2.483 0.015*
t. test 0.203 0.394
p1. value 0.838 0.698
SD: standard deviation, mm: millimeter, n: number, F.O: foramen ovale, t: Independent samples test, *means
significant, p= difference between males & females and p1=difference between left and right FO.
Table (3): Morphology of the foramen ovale on the right and left sides of the studied skulls.
Rt side Lt side Total
n % n % n %
Oval shape 30 60 28 56 58 58
Almond shape 16 32 17 34 33 33
Other forms 4 8 5 10 9 9
Total 50 100 50 100 100 100
2 0.213
Chi-square p-value 0.901
Rt: Right side; Lt: left side; n: number; %: percentage; 2 : Pearson's Chi Square test.
Fig. (1 a): Showing oval shape of foramen ovale
bilaterally (arrow).
Fig. (1 b): Showing oval shape of foramen ovale
bilaterally (arrow).
Nagy et al.
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Fig. (2): A photograph showing almond shape
of foramen ovale on the right side
(arrow).
Fig. (3): A photograph showing slit like shape of
foramen ovale on left side (arrow).
Fig. (4): A photograph showing bizarre shape
like (due to projection of spine) of
foramen ovale on left side (arrow).
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Discussion
The FO can be seen as an oval ring in
the sphenoid bone in its greater wings, during
the 7th month of the intrauterine life. The
sphenoid bone has developed from
endochondral and intramembranous ossi-
fication centers which give the lesser and
great wings as well as body of the sphenoid
bone. Anatomically FO lies close to the upper
border of lateral pterygoid body, between the
foramen rotundum and foramen spinosum
(Standring, 2006). A large number of studies
have been done worldwide on the
morphometric measurements of FO giving
insight into association between its
morphology and its neurovascular anatomy
(Jyothsna et al., 2013).
In this study, it was found that the
average mean of antero-posterior measure of
FO on the right and left side in both males
and females were different. This difference
between both sides of FO in males and
females was found to be statistically
insignificant. Regarding the width of FO in
this study, the average meas of width of FO of
the right and left side in both males and
females were different. This was insignificant
in both sexes. Even though the left side was
longer than the right side in both sexes.
Similarly in previous studies on different
populations, carried out on Nepal populations,
there was insignificant difference between the
metric length and width of both sides, as
reported by Biswabina et al. (2005). As the
mean length was 7.46 ± 1.41 mm, 7.01 ± 1.41
mm and the mean width was 3.21 ± 0.02mm,
3.29 ± 0.58mm on the right and left side
respectively. Another study was carried out
on Indian populations by Someshet al. (2011)
showing that the mean length was 7.64 ± 1.19
mm, 7.561 ± 1.123 mm while the mean width of
the FO of the right and left side respectively was
5.128 ± 0.827 mm, and 5.244 ± 0.950 which
were of no significant difference. In Japanese
population a comparison of the length of FO in
adults, fetus and juvenile skulls, in a study by
Yanagi (1987) showed that the average maximal
length of FO was 7.48 in adults. Studying the
postnatal enlargement of foramen ovale in living
German populations it was reported that the
average length of FO was 7.2 mm while the
width was 3.7 mm as reported by Lang et al.
(1984). This difference in dimensions was
giving evidence that the skulls are bilaterally
asymmetrical.
In the present study, it was found that there
is a statistical significant difference in metric
measurement of the FO in dried human adult
skulls between males and females in the
measurements of the dimensions of the right and
left sides respectively. In a study done by
Burdan et al. (2011) on skulls in adults from the
Lublin region (Poland), comparative metric
measurements of FO in males and females
through examination by computed tomography,
they reported insignificant higher length and
width measurement of FO in males than females.
This difference in results may be attributed to
different methods of measurement and different
type of skulls (dry and living skulls and
bilaterally asymmetrical skull development).
Analyzing the variation in the shape of the
FO, it was found that the oval shape is the
common shape as it represents 60% of the right
side and 56% of the left side foramina, while the
almond shape was the second variant as it
represents 32% and 34% of the right and left
foramina respectively. Other forms represent 4-
5%. This comes in accordance with previous
studies done by Yanagi (1987) and Somesh et
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Mansoura J. Forens. Med. Clin. Toxicol., Vol. 26, No. 2, July. 2018
33
al. (2011), as the oval shape was the common,
then the almond shape.
The exact cause of the observed
variation in different studies is difficult to be
determined. It could be related to genetic,
racial, developmental, nutritional or other
unknown factors (Sigh and Pathak, 2013).
Conclusions
There is a statistical insignificant
difference in linear metric measurements of
FO on both sides. The left side of the FO is
longer and wider than the right side. There is
a statistical significant difference in linear
metric measurement (length and width of the
FO) on both sides between males and females
adult dried skulls. However, from forensic
point of view, the metric analysis of FO could
be useful as a supplement to other skeletal
measurements aiming to establishing the
gender of individuals. The foramen ovale has
a great variation in different countries. The
knowledge of morphometric analysis in
different population is necessary for forensic
anthropologist and clinicians as neuro-
surgeons.
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ﺔﻀﯿﺑ ﺐﻘﺛ نﻮﺴﻤﺧ ﻞﻤﺸﺗ .( ﺟﺮﻔﻟا مﺪﺨﺘﺳأ ﺬﺧأ ﻢﺗ ﺪﻗو ، ﺔﻀﯿﺒﻟا ﺐﻘﺜﻟ ضﺮﻌﻟاو لﻮﻄﻟا تﺎﺳﺎﯿﻗ ءاﺮﺟﻹ ﻲﻤﻗﺮﻟا رﺎ
ةﺪﺣ ﻰﻠﻋ ﻞﻛ ﻦﯿﺜﺣﺎﺒﻟا ﻦﻣ ﻦﯿﻨﺛإ ﻞﺒﻗ ﻦﻣ تﺎﺳﺎﯿﻘﻟا)ﻟ تﺎﺳﺎﯿﻗ ﺔﺛﻼﺛﺎﻤﮭﻨﻣ ﻞﻜ (ﺐﻘﺛ ﻞﻜﻟ . ﻊﯿﻤﺟ ﻞﯿﻠﺤﺗو ﻞﯿﺠﺴﺗ ﻢﺗو
ﻦﯿﺒﻘﺜﻟا ﻼﻛ ﻦﯿﺑ ﺔﻧرﺎﻘﻤﻟاو ﺎﯿﺋﺎﺼﺣإ تﺎﺳﺎﯿﻘﻟا) ﺮﺴﯾﻷاو ﻦﻤﯾﻷا ﺐﻘﺜﻟا ( ثﺎﻧﻹاو رﻮﻛﺬﻟا ﻢﺟﺎﻤﺟ ﻦﻣ ﻞﻛ ﻲﻓ .
ﺔﻀﯿﺒﻟا ﺐﻘﺛ لﻮﻃو ضﺮﻋ سﺎﯿﻗ ﻲﻓ ﺔﯾرﺎﺒﺘﻋإ ﺔﻤﯿﻗ تاذ ﺮﯿﻏ تﺎﻓﻼﺘﺧإ دﻮﺟو ﺚﺤﺒﻟا ﻦﻣ ﺖﺒﺛ ﻦﻤﯾﻷاو ﺮﺴﯾﻷا
رﻮﻛﺬﻟا ﻢﺟﺎﻤﺟ ﻲﻓ . و ﺪﻗو ﺒﺗ ﺪﻘﻓ ،ﺲﻨﺠﻠﻟ ﺔﺒﺴﻨﻟﺎﺑو ثﺎﻧﻹا ﻢﺟﺎﻤﺟ ﻲﻓ ﺎﮭﺴﻔﻧ ﺞﺋﺎﺘﻨﻟا تﺪﺟﯿ تاذ تﺎﻓﻼﺘﺧإ دﻮﺟو ﻦ
ﺔﻀﯿﺒﻟا ﺐﻘﺛ لﻮﻃو عﺎﺴﺗإ سﺎﯿﻗ ﻲﻓ ﺔﯾرﺎﺒﺘﻋإ ﺔﻤﯿﻗﻦﻤﯾﻷاو ﺮﺴﯾﻷا ثﺎﻧﻹاو رﻮﻛﺬﻟا ﺔﻋﻮﻤﺠﻣ ﻦﯿﺑ.
ﻀﯿﺒﻟا ﻞﻜﺸﻟا نأ ﻦﯿﺒﺗ ﺔﺳارﺪﻟا ﻞﺤﻣ ﻢﺟﺎﻤﺠﻟا ﺲﻔﻧ ﻰﻓ ﺔﻀﯿﺒﻟا ﺐﻘﺛ ﻞﻜﺷ ﺔﺳارد ﺪﻨﻋووﺎﻟا ﻮھ ي ﻞﻜﺸ
ﻊﺋﺎﺸﻟا يزﻮﻠﻟا ﻞﻜﺸﻟا ﮫﻌﺒﺗو . تﺎﺳﺎﯿﻘﻟ ﺔﻠﻤﻜﻣ ﺔﺟرﺪﺑ ﻢﮭﻣ ﺔﻀﯿﺒﻟا ﺐﻘﺜﻟ يﺮﺘﻤﻟا ﻞﯿﻠﺤﺘﻟا نأ ﻰﻟإ ﺺﻠﺨﻧ نأ ﻦﻜﻤﯾو
ىﺮﺧﻷا ﻲﻤﻈﻌﻟا ﻞﻜﯿﮭﻟا داﺮﻓﻷا ﺲﻨﺟ ﺪﯾﺪﺤﺗ ﻰﻟإ فﺪﮭﺗ ﻲﺘﻟاو . ﺐﻘﺛ تﺎﺳﺎﯿﻗو لﺎﻜﺷأ ﻦﯾﺎﺒﺗ ﺔﺳارﺪﻟا ﻦﻣ ﺖﺒﺛو
ناﺪﻠﺒﻟا ﻒﻠﺘﺨﻣ ﻲﻓ ﺔﻀﯿﺒﻟا.
... [2][3][4][5][6] In the past, the morphometry of FO has been studied on dry skulls, mainly as a data resource for racial and gender identification. [7][8][9][10] Considering the precise planning required for surgical procedures in the treatment of tumors and masses in the infratemporal region, the aim of the present study was to record and analyze metric and nonmetric data of FO and to compare the morphometry with gender and age. ...
... [2][3][4][5][6] In the past, the morphometry of FO has been studied on dry skulls, mainly as a data resource for racial and gender identification. [7][8][9][10] Considering the precise planning required for surgical procedures in the treatment of tumors and masses in the infratemporal region, the aim of the present study was to record and analyze metric and nonmetric data of FO and to compare the morphometry with gender and age. ...
... [2][3][4][5][6] In the past, the morphometry of FO has been studied on dry skulls, mainly as a data resource for racial and gender identification. [7][8][9][10] Considering the precise planning required for surgical procedures in the treatment of tumors and masses in the infratemporal region, the aim of the present study was to record and analyze metric and nonmetric data of FO and to compare the morphometry with gender and age. ...
Article
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Background: The mandibular nerve exits the cranial cavity by traversing through the foramen ovale (FO) which is located in the greater wing of sphenoid, posterolateral to foramen rotundum. This foramen also provides an entry portal to the accessory middle meningeal artery and helps exit the lesser petrosal nerve apart from the emissary veins. Tumors and masses in infratemporal region require an accurate and precise morphometry of FO, before planning any surgical procedure. The aim of this study is to record and analyze the metric and nonmetric data and compares the morphometry of FO with gender and age. Methodology: Type of study – Retrospective observational study. The sample size was 200 computerized tomography head axial section scans without any disease which might alter the anatomy of foramen, from picture archiving and communication system. Bilateral foraminal parameters were obtained with the help of computer-assisted software. Results: The mean length, breadth, distance from mid-sagittal plane, and size of FO in males were 7.75 ± 1.16, 3.98 ± 0.91, 21.40 ± 1.75, and 30.94 ± 8.79, and in females, measurements were 6.90 ± 0.78, 3.57 ± 1.04, 20.36 ± 1.62, and 24.86 ± 9.08, respectively. Septation was observed in 2% of cases and the most common shape observed was oval (84%). Totally 26% of accessory foramina were observed. Conclusion: Significant gender differences were seen in the morphometry in all the four parameters. A significant difference with age was seen only with distance of foramen from midsagittal plane. Variations in morphometry and shapes of the FO may affect clinical and diagnostic procedures.
Article
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The importance of the location of the foramen ovale (FO) is particularly evident in external approaches to the skull base. Neighboring structures are of great importance in surgical interventions such as approaches used for trigeminal neuralgia (percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy), transfacial fine needle aspiration in perineural spread of the tumor, and electroencephalographic analysis for seizures. This study aimed to investigate the morphometry, morphology and anatomical relations of the FO. Eighty hemicraniums of osteological collection of the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, in Turkey were investigated. In the study, the morphological features of the foramen ovale and their distance to the surrounding anatomical structures were measured. Oval (70%), almond (18.75%), slit (6.25%), round (5%) shaped foramen ovale were observed. The average length of foramen ovale on the right side was 7.09+1.07mm and 7.06+1.01mm on the left side, while the width was 4.16+0.79mm and 4.15+0.5mm, right and left respectively. The transverse distance of posterolateral edge of foramen ovale to lateral edge of articular tubercle was 33.06+3.25mm, the transverse and vertical distances of foramen ovale to mastoid proccess were, 17.36+3.09mm and 32.40+3.43mm. Finally, measurements of foramen ovale to the carotid canal, the inferior orbital fissure, and the pterygopalatine fossa were 16.70+1.9mm, 27.94+3.2mm and 14.88+1.91mm, respectively. Regional differences in morphometric and morphological analysis of foramen ovale are of clinical and anatomical significance for medical practitioners in neurosurgical procedures, treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, and diagnostic detection of tumors. [Med-Science 2021; 10(3.000): 1039-46]
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The aim of the study was the retrospective morphological analysis of selected structures of the middle cranial fossa, i.e. foramen ovale and superior orbital fissure, in relation to the external head and cranial diameters in adults from the Lublin region (Poland). The study was performed on data collected during computed tomography examinations of 60 individuals (age 20-30 years), without any cranial or brain abnormalities. Based on the post-processing reconstructions, 3-dimensional views of the skull and head were obtained. The length and width of both structures, as well as thickness of the frontal, temporal, and occipital squamae, were measured. The morphology of the ovale foramina and superior orbital fissures were checked. The length and width of the skull and head were the only parameters that significantly differed between males and females. The thickness of the frontal and temporal squama was insignificantly lower in males than in females. Almond and oval shapes were the most typical for the foramen ovale. The superior orbital fissure was found as a wide form - with or without accessory spine originating from its lower margin or as a laterally narrowed form. The length and width of the foramen ovale were insignificantly higher in males than in females. The same results were found for the area of the right superior orbital fissure. The thickness of the frontal and occipital squamae influenced the thickness of the temporal squama. The analysed individuals had asymmetrical, oval, or almond-shape ovale foramina. Unlike the seldom visible laterally narrowed form of the superior orbital fissure, a wide form with or without accessory spine was the most commonly observed. The diameters of both superior orbital fissures and ovale foramina indicated the asymmetry of the neurocranium.
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To note the morphological variations and morphometric details of foramina ovale in dry adult skulls of Indian origin. MATERIAL and 82 dry adult human skulls of unknown sex and of Indian origin were obtained and variations in appearance and number of foramen ovale were noted. The length and width of the foramina ovale of both sides were determined using digital Vernier calipers and area (A) was also calculated and analyzed. Out 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 mm2 and for the left side the values was 7.561 ± 1.123 mm, 5.244 ± 0.950 mm and 31.310 ± 8.262 mm2 respectively, for the mean length, width and area of the foramen ovale. The shape of foramen was typically ovale in most of the skulls (56.70%) with some bony variations such as spine, tubercles etc. There was no statistically significant difference between the two sides in length, width and area of foramen ovale and there was a positive correlation between lengths and areas of both sides.
Article
Nonmetric traits are quasi-continuous skeletal traits that cannot be measured, but are observed as ranks or scores. In the present study, 8 nonmetric traits of sternum were examined from 343 sternums collected from the autopsy cases. More males, particularly older subjects, had a mesosternal foramen. The frequency of mesosternal foramen, arch-shaped prominence on the manubrium and radial strips on mesosternum significantly increased but that of lateral projection of manubrium decreased in the 30+ year age-group (older individuals). The denticulate costal incisures were found mostly in females and younger subjects; however, the crescent incisures and arch shaped prominence of manubrium were noticed mainly in males and older subjects. Majority of subjects had 'deep and narrow' jugular notch and xiphi-sternum was 'bifid' or 'oblong' in males and 'small sized' in females and younger subjects. Xiphi-sternum was generally found absent in females and younger subjects. The different shapes of costal incisures, jugular notch and xiphoid process were found to have significant sex and age differences. The number of cases with fused elements significantly increased with advancing age in both sexes. The sternal elements' fusion showed a variable pattern and hence was not found to be a reliable criterion. Chi-square analysis revealed significant differences between two age-groups of individual sex in the distribution of 3 of the 8 nonmetric traits. Significant sex and age differences were noticed in the frequency of occurrence of mesosternal foramina between the younger and older age groups in both the sexes. The logistic regression analysis of the scores classified 73.8% sternums to their sex category and 70.0% sternums to their age-group. Though present findings may not be enough for absolute personal identification, these traits can still serve as important identification tools if antemortem radiographs/CT or MRI scans are available for comparisons, or help classify an unknown sternum to its sex or age category based on the morphological features discussed in present study.
Article
For the purpose of these studies 111 cases of the fetus skulls, 25 cases of the juvenile skulls and 220 cases of the adult skulls were used and the following results were obtained; 1. The perfect ring-shaped formation of the foramen rotundum is observed in all cases of the fetuses after the 4th fetal month. The earliest perfect ring-shaped formation of the foramen ovale is observed in the 7th fetal month and the latest in 3 years after birth. The earliest perfect ring-shaped formation of the foramen spinosum is observed in the 8th month after birth and the latest in 7 years after birth. 2. The foramen rotundum is mostly oval-shaped in the fetal period and it is round-shaped in general after birth. The majority of the foramen ovale is oval-shaped and it is irregular in shape compared with the rest of two types of foramina. The majority of the foramen spinosum is round in shape. 3. The average diameter of the foramen rotundum is 3.55 mm in the adult. The average maximal length of the foramen ovale is 7.48 mm and its average minimal length is 4.17 mm in the adult. The average diameter of the foramen spinosum is 2.63 mm in the adult. The differences between the right and left and the sexual differences fail to be observed in all types of foramina.
Anatomic variations of the foramen ovale
  • R Biswabina
  • G Nitrupma
  • G Supriya
Biswabina, R.; Nitrupma, G. and Supriya, G. (2005): "Anatomic variations of the foramen ovale". Kathmandu University Medical Journal, 3(1): 64-68.
The anatomical basis of clinical practice in external skull
  • S Standring
Standring, S. (2006): The anatomical basis of clinical practice in external skull. In: Anatomy Gray's, 39 th Ed. London: Churchill living stone Elsevier Limited, P.P.460 -462.