Title: A Morphological study and morphometric analysis of the jugular foramen
Abstract: The Jugular Foramen is a complex crossroad of neurovascular structures at the
skull base. Anomalies of the jugular bulb, glomus jugulare tumours,
schwannomas, metastatic lesions and infiltrating inflammatory processes attract
the clinicians attention to this region.. Knowledge of the anatomy of Jugular
Foramen is vital for a favourable surgical outcome in the technically
challenging operations of this region.
This study was aimed at analysing the Jugular Foramen morphologically and
morphometrically. 100 adult human dry skulls at the Institute of Anatomy,
Madras Medical College were used for the study. The features of the Jugular
Foramen and Jugular Fossa were studied sincerely and the numerical data
obtained were analysed statistically.
In the present study it was found that the mean mediolateral diameter of the
Jugular Foramen was 14.87+/- 2.47mm on the right side and 13.76+/- 2.37mm
on the left side. The mean anteroposterior diameter of the Jugular Foramen was
11.90 +/-1.93mm on the right side and 10.88+/-1.82mm on the left side. The
mediolateral diameter and anteroposterior diameter of the Jugular Foramen
exhibited positive correlation. The mean area of the right Jugular Foramen was
179.23+/- 49.39mm2 and the same of the left Jugular Foramen was 151.65+/-
43.58mm2. The Jugular Foramen showed side dominance in most of the
specimens. Right side was dominant in 69% and left side was dominant in 25%.
The mean width of the Jugular Fossa was 7.90+/-1.80mm on the right side and
7.40+/-1.66mm on the left side. The mean depth of the Jugular Fossa was
11.20+/- 3.07mm on the right side and 10.05 +/- 2.85mm on the left side. The
width and depth the Jugular Fossa exhibited positive correlation. The Jugular
Foramen and Jugular Fossa exhibited statistically significant asymmetry in size.
Domed Jugular Fossa was present bilaterally in 69%, unilaterally on the right
side in 22%, unilaterally on the left side in 5% and was bilaterally absent in 4%.
The Jugular Foramen was partitioned by one septum in 32% on the right side
and 29% on the left side. The incidence of complete septum was 17% on the
right side and 15% on the left side. The incidence of incomplete septum was
16% on the right side and 13% on the left side. Tripartite Jugular Foramen was
present in 1% of skulls, bilaterally. An accessory opening was present in the
posteromedial wall of the Jugular Foramen in 7% on the right side and 4% on
the left side. In 91% it led to the posterior condylar canal and in 9%, the other
end of the canal opened at the posterior margin of foramen magnum. The
findings of the present study supported the features of Jugular Foramen reported
in the Indian subcontinent. The findings were found to be dissimilar to those of
foreign studies suggesting racial variations in the features of Jugular Foramen.
The data obtained will be useful for neurosurgeons and otorhinolaryngologists
for achieving a less morbid and more favourable outcome in surgeries of the
Jugular Foramen region. The findings are also enlightening to anthropologists,
radiologists and anatomists.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-04-01
Language: en
Type: dissertation
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