The Foramen Meningo-orbital in Indian Dry Skulls
The Foramen Meningo-orbital in Indian Dry Skulls
Keywords:
Meningo-orbital foramen, Superior orbital fissure, SkullAbstract
Background & objective: Foramen meningo-orbital is present in greater wing of sphenoid bone close to superior orbital fissure. It provide route for an anastomosis between the orbital branch of the middle meningeal artery and recurrent meningeal branch of ophthalmic artery. Basic textbooks of anatomy stated that it was a rare occurrence but some recent studies indicate a more frequent incidence of this which shows side and gender variation. These discrepancies were verified in our research work. Methods: We studied 150 dried human skulls (100 male and 50 female) of known sex. Only patent foramina were included in the observation. Results: Incidence of foramen as whole was 44.33% (male- 37.5% and female- 58%). In 4%, it was present bilaterally. Average distance between lateral end of superior orbital fissure and foramen was 6.22 mm.
Conclusion: Our study indicates that a foramen meningo-orbital is present as often as, mostly unilaterally and multiple foramina may exist and also it shows side and genders variation. Knowledge of it may be of surgical significance to ophthalmologist and neurosurgeons and for radiologist because it masquerading as an intraocular foreign body. Further detail study on this topic in other populations from different areas is required.
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