Investigation of morphometric properties of foramen ovale and foramen spinosum

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate and clarify the morphological and morphometric characteristics, variations, and symmetry of foramen ovale FO and foramen spinosum FS to obtain guiding information for surgical approaches. Material and Method: In our study, measurements were made on 130 dry bones using three different methods: divider, silicone and computer program (Coreldraw). Digital calipers were used in measurements with divider and silicone, photographs were taken for the computer program. The length and width of the foramina were measured, area calculations were made, the shapes of the foramina were classified and their distances to determined reference points were also measured. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the measurements of FO on the right and left sides (p0.05). All measurements of right and left FS were statistically significantly different except the width and area calculated with Coreldraw program (p0.05). Only three distances among the distances of the foramina to each other and to the determined reference points (distance between FO and foramen magnum, distance between FO and tuberculum pharyngeum, distance between FS and vomer-sphenoid bone junction) have statistically significant difference on the right and left sides (p0,05). No statistically significant difference was found between the right and left sides in other distance measurements (p0,05). Conclusions: Investigation of morphometric and morphological characteristics of FO and FS is important in terms of preserving important structures passing through these foramina during surgical approaches and minimizing complications. Keywords: Foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, morphometry, morphology