Morphometric Analysis Of Foramen Magnum In Adult Human Dry Skull Of Gujarat Region

ABSTRACT

Background: Morphometric analysis of the foramen magnum of dry human skulls in Gujarat region was carriedout to demonstrate the anatomical variations in morphology. The measurements of the foramen magnum areclinically important because vital structures passing through it. There are certain diseases associated withcompression of structure present in foramen magnum like arnold chiari malformation (tonsillar herniation),achondroplasia, stenosis of foramen magnum, meningioma and atlanto-occipital fusion.Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure anteroposterior & transverse diameter of foramen magnum,surface area and index of foramen magnum and to observe its various shapes.Materials and methods: 326 dry skulls of adult human being were studied. Antero-posterior and TransverseDiameter were measured by using a digital vernier caliper. The surface area and foramen magnum index werecalculated. The cranial base was visually assessed for the shape of foramen magnum.Results: The mean antero-posterior and transverse diameter of the foramen magnum were 34.18 ± 2.74 mm and28.49 ± 2.13 mm respectively. The mean surface area and the foramen magnum index were 766.86 ± 104.76 mm2and 83.60 ± 6.21 mm respectively. The percentages of different shapes of foramen magnum were Oval (42.33%),Round (32.82%), Tetragonal (8.59%), Hexagonal (7.67%), Pentagonal (4.60%), and irregular (3.99%).Conclusion: The knowledge of various dimensions & shape of the foramen magnum help to determine somemalformations like arnold chiari syndrome in which the transverse diameter is increased. The antero-posteriordiameter of foramen magnum was more than the transverse diameter and most common shape of foramenmagnum was found to be Oval.