Foramina in Alisphenoid - An Observational Study on Their OsseoMorphology and Morphometry

Background: Among various foramina affecting alisphenoid (greater wings of sphenoid), Foramen ovale (FO) and Foramen spinosum (FS) are two important foramina concerned to different advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving middle cranial fossa like placement of electrodes for EEG analysis, trigeminal radiofrequency rhizotomy, microsurgical procedure using middle meningeal artery as graft etc. Objective: FO and FS vary in shape and size. That’s why; we performed this study to provide data from the region of West Bengal, India. Methods: Forty adult human skulls having 80 intact greater wings collected from different medical colleges in Kolkata were meticulously examined for both morphologic and morphometric parameters about the foramina like shape, anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, any bony outgrowth affecting their margins by digital photographs and electronic caliper. Result: Regarding FO, it was not classically oval in 42.5% cases, somewhere it was irregular (6.25%) or semilunar (2.5%) also. FS other than variation in shape and size was found either partially (3.75%) or completely divided (5%). Emissary sphenoidal foramen was also observed in 5% cases. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. Conclusion: Considering clinical importance, recognition and knowledge of such possible variation will be definitely helpful in the field of diagnostic medicine and neurosurgery.