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Sphenoidal Foramen Ovale in the Slovenian Population: An Anatomical Evaluation with Clinical Correlations
Žiga Šink1, Nejc Umek1, Armin Alibegović2
1Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
The foramen ovale (FO) is a crucial feature of the skull base, serving as a passage for clinically important neurovascular structures. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive morphometric and morphologic analysis of the FO and highlight the clinical significance of the anatomical characterization. A total of 267 FO were analyzed in skulls obtained from deceased inhabitants of the Slovenian territory. The anteroposterior (length) and the transverse (width) diameters were measured using a digital sliding vernier caliper. Dimensions, shape, and anatomical variations of FO were analyzed. The mean length and width of the FO were 7.13 and 3.71 mm on the right side and 7.20 and 3.88 mm on the left side. The most frequently observed shape was oval (37.1%), followed by almond (28.1%), irregular (21.0%), D-shaped (4.5%), round (3.0%), pear-shaped (1.9%), kidney-shaped (1.5%), elongated (1.5%), triangular (0.7%), and slit-like (0.7%). In addition, marginal outgrowths (16.6%) and several anatomical variations were noted, including duplications, confluences, and obstruction due to a complete (5.6%) or incomplete (8.2%) pterygospinous bar. Our observations revealed substantial interindividual variation in the anatomical characteristics of the FO in the studied population, which could potentially impact the feasibility and safety of neurosurgical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
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Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...

