Zygomaticofacial foramen in dry adult human skulls: a morphological study

Because there is a wide range of medical procedures in the zygomatic region in the fields of maxillofacial surgery, implantology, and aesthetic medicine, there is a requirement for a detailed study of the zygomaticofacial foramen (ZFF) due to the high risk of damage to its contents during manipulation. This study aimed to estimate the shape, diameter, and location of the ZFF and their relationships with anatomical landmarks.

A study was conducted on 53 dry adult human skulls. Standard morphometric measurements were taken using sliding calipers. The number, diameter, shape, and location of the ZFF were noted on both sides, and the distances between the ZFF and surrounding anatomical landmarks were measured. Conventional statistical methods were used to evaluate the data.

Out of 106 sides, no ZFF was noticed in 2.8%, one foramen was found in 40.6%, two foramina were found in 39.6%, three in 10.4%, four in 4.7%, and five in 1.9%. The vertical diameter was 0.98 ± 0.35 mm, while the transverse diameter was 0.87 ± 0.31 mm. The shape of the ZFF was oval in 67%, round in 26.2%, semilunar in 4.9%, and irregular in 1.9%. The distance from the ZFF to the infraorbital margin was 6.63 ± 2.09 mm, to the frontozygomatic suture was 26.24 ± 3.49 mm, to the zygomaticomaxillary suture was 19.75 ± 3.55 mm, to the zygomaticotemporal suture was 22.31 ± 3.98 mm, and to the most prominent point of the zygomatic bone was 8.03 ± 2.64 mm.

The variations in the number and location of the ZFF must be considered when performing regional block anaesthesia, and surgical or aesthetic procedures in the zygomatic region.