Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
The foramen magnum, the largest opening at the base of the skull, serves as a critical anatomical passageway. Morphological variations in this region have significant implications for clinical practice, particularly in neurosurgery and forensic anthropology. This study aims to analyze and compare the morphological variations of the foramen magnum in an adult population and explore their clinical and forensic implications. A comparative, cross‐sectional study was conducted using archived cranial CT scans from 160 adults. The study assessed the morphological variations of the foramen magnum, cataloging shapes and dimensions, and analyzed their correlation with neurological or structural complications. Statistical analysis included chi‐square tests for categorical variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for continuous variables to determine the significance of findings. The study identified five primary shapes of the foramen magnum: oval, round, egg‐shaped, trapezoid and irregular. The most common morphological variation was trapezoid (23.75%), while the least common was egg‐shaped (16.88%). Statistical analyses revealed significant variations in the morphology (P‐values ranging from 0.022‐0.058). Furthermore, certain shapes were correlated with higher risks of neurological complications and morphometric dimensions provided valuable forensic data to determine demographic characteristics. Morphological variations of the foramen magnum are diverse and have significant clinical and forensic implications. Understanding these variations enhances surgical planning, risk assessment in neuro surgical procedures and forensic identification. Further studies are recommended to explore the biomechanical implications of these variations and their impact over time.
How to cite this article:
Madhura Kapil Muley and Kapil Dilip Muley. Morphological Variations of the Foramen Magnum and their Clinical Implications: A Comparative Study.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.466.470
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2025.1.466.470