MORPHOMETRIC AND MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF FORAMEN MAGNUM

Abstract

Background: The foramen magnum, which translates to "great hole" in Latin, is a significant anatomical feature situated in the base of the skull. This large, oval-shaped opening in the occipital bone serves as the passage for the spinal cord as it exits the cranial cavity. Additionally, it transmits various structures including the vertebral arteries, spinal arteries, tectorial membranes, alar ligaments, and the accessory nerve. In bipedal mammals, the foramen magnum plays a crucial role and is associated with changes in posture and locomotion

Aims: The present study aims in performing the morphometric analysis foramen magnum and to classify it based on its shape.

Materials and methodology the present was conducted on 100 dry human skull in the anatomy department A.S.J.S.A.T.D.S. Medical College Fatehpur, with associated anatomy department of ASMC , Pratapgarh  

Results: In our present study we observed that the most common shape of foramen magnum is oval which is 43% Antero-posterior diameter:  we observed the mean antero- posterior diameter was 32.47±1.65 mm with maximum diameter 40.48 mm and minimum it was 26.48, Transverse diameter: the mean transverse diameter was 26.49±12 mm with maximum diameter 35.85 mm and minimum it was 24.45mm. Foramen magnum area: the mean area of foramen magnum was 749.04±101.45 mm2 Foramen Magnum index:  the index of foramen Magnum was 1.45±0.

Conclusion: The morphological and morphometric analysis of the foramen magnum and its variations is crucial for anatomists, neurosurgeons, anesthetists, orthopedicians, and radiologists. With advancements in imaging technology such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, these variations have gained significance in the field of diagnostic medicine. This study also holds importance for forensic medicine experts as comparing ethnic variations may assist in identifying different races when analyzing populations from various ethnic regions