Morphological and Morphometric Study of Variations in the Shape and Size of the Foramen Magnum of Human Skulls
Introduction: The shape of the Foramen Magnum (FM) is variable and the incidence of the variants in shape vary in different ethnic groups. Such morphological and morphometic measurements of the FM are of forensic and anthropological importance. Aim: The present study was aimed at documenting f...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Pvt. Ltd.
2018-04-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Anatomy Radiology and Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijars.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2018&month=April&volume=7&issue=2&page=AO01-AO08&id=2371 |
| Summary: | Introduction: The shape of the Foramen Magnum (FM)
is variable and the incidence of the variants in shape
vary in different ethnic groups. Such morphological and
morphometic measurements of the FM are of forensic and
anthropological importance.
Aim: The present study was aimed at documenting
frequency of the various shapes of FM, and to calculate
the FM Index (FMI) and the surface area of FM using the
sagittal and transverse diameters of FM, in male and
female skulls of South Indian origin and finally to look for
correlation between the cephalic index, the FMI and its
surface area.
Materials and Methods: One hundred skulls (81 male
and 19 female) of South Indian origin were studied for the
variation in shape of the FM. In all the skulls cephalic index,
surface area of FM and FMI was calculated.
Results: An irregularly shaped FM was found to be
of maximum in occurrence (32%). The mean sagittal
diameters in males and females were 37±0.3 mm and
35±0.23 mm respectively. The mean transverse diameters
in males and females were 33±0.35 mm and 32±0.43 mm
respectively. The mean surface area ranged from 788-
1113 mm2
. The mean FMI of male and female skull was
1.13±0.11 and 1.09±0.15 respectively. The cephalic index
did not show any significant correlation with the surface
area of the FM and the FMI.
Conclusion: The FM, plays an important role as a landmark
because of its close relationship to key structures such as
the brain stem and the spinal cord. FM The sagittal and
transverse diameters have been reported to be larger
in male skulls than in female Size of the FM cannot be a
completely reliable indicator of sex; however, it can be
used as a supplement for preliminary identification |
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| ISSN: | 2277-8543 2455-6874 |