Study on Morphological Variations in Structure of the Jugular Foramen

Abstract

Background:The jugular foramen is difficult to understand and to access surgically; the difficulties in exposing this foramen are created by its deep location and the surrounding structures, such as the carotid artery anteriorly, the facial nerve laterally, the hypoglossal nerve medially and the vertebral artery inferiorly, all of which block access to the foramen and require careful management. It is difficult to conceptualize because it varies in size and shape in different crania, between the two sides the same cranium, from its intracranial to extracranial end in the same foramen and because of its complex irregular shape, its curved course, its formation by two bones and the numerous nerves and venous channels that pass through it. The present study is concentrated to study morphological features of jugular foramen. Material and Methods:The present study was undertaken in 250(500 sides) adult south Indian skulls from different regions of south India, from different medical colleges. We have observed the size of foramen and presence of jugular fossa. Result:Out of 250 skulls in 20.8% of cases the right foramina were larger than the left, in 24.8% of cases the left foramina were larger than the right and in 8% cases were equal on both sides. The jugular fossa present bilaterally in 60%, on the right only in 21.6% cases, on the left only in 7.6% cases and was absent in 10.8% cases. Conclusion:The present study concludes that there is no significance different between size of foramen in right and left side. The jugular fossa or bulb present bilaterally in majority of cases.