European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 21 - Number 3
Eur J Anat, 21 (3): 225-233 (2017)

Evaluation of osteologic parameters of jugular foramen and its significance with respect to expanded endoscopic endonasal approach

Arpita Mahajan1, Ranjana Verma1, Shalini Kumar1, Raj D. Mehra1

1Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India

ABSTRACT The jugular foramen (JF) is a large irregular hiatus, lies at the posterior end of the petro-occipital suture, posterior to the opening of carotid canal (CC) and it transmits major neurovascular structures. Tumors are the most common pathology involving structures present in JF. In the current scenario, lesions of structures present in JF progressing towards midline are suitably removed by expanded endoscopic endonasal approach (EEEA). In lieu of EEEA, we studied new parameters in relation to JF. The study was done on 50 human dry skulls with the help of sliding Vernier caliper and statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Morphological study on the presence of dome, septa and relation of CC to JF was done. Morphometric parameters of JF and its distance from vomer, medial pterygoid plate (MPP), lateral pterygoid plate (LPP) and CC were studied. We also determined the distance from lateral and medial end of CC to the midsagittal plane (MSP). The dome of the jugular fossa (JFo) was seen in 42% skulls, each bilaterally and unilaterally. Complete and incomplete septa in JF were seen in 4% & 16% bilaterally and 8% & 18% unilaterally respectively. In the majority of the skulls, position of CC was anterior to JF and anteromedial was the next common position seen. Length & width of JF, depth of JFo, distance of JF from vomer, MPP, LPP & CC and the distance of CC to the MSP were more on the right side. This study may help neurosurgeons & ENT surgeons while approaching lesions around JF by EEEA.

Keywords: Jugular foramen â?? Expanded endoscopic endonasal approach â?? Vomer â?? Medial pterygoid plate â?? Lateral pterygoid plate â?? Carotid canal â?? Midsagittal plane

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)