Morphometry of foramen ovale and its clinical significance

Objective:- Foramen ovale is located in the greater wing of sphenoid bone. It has great clinical significance in percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy for neuralgia. This study presents variations in dimensions and shape of foramen ovale. Methods:- 30 dry human skulls were studied in the department of anatomy, Yenepoya medical college, mangalore. Length and width of foramen ovale was measured. Results:- out of 60 sides, mean length and width of foramen ovale was 7.85±1.32 and 3.95±1.27 on right side and 7.3±1.27 and 4.1±1.28 on left side. Majority of foramen studied were oval in shape.5 of 30 skulls showed the presence of foramen of Vesalius. One of the foramen showed the presence of bony bridging across the foramen. Conclusion:- This study is of great surgical significance in case of trigeminal neuralgia, fine needle aspiration technique in perineural spread of tumour and also in neurovascular compression.