Occipital emissary foramina in human skulls: an anatomical investigation with reference to surgical anatomy of emissary veins.

AIM The objectives were to find the incidence and topography of the occipital emissary foramina in skulls of South Indian Region. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study, 78 dried adult human skulls were examined. They were analyzed for the gross incidence and position of the occipital emissary foramen. The observations were made in the squamous part of the occipital bone from the posterior margin of the foramen magnum to the external occipital protuberance. RESULTS From our observations, the occipital emissary foramen was present in 11 (14.1%) skulls. Left sided foramen was observed in 5 cases (6.4%), right-sided foramen in 4 (5.1%) and the median foramen was seen in 2 (2.6%) of the cases. CONCLUSION The occipital emissary vein is present in a small percentage (14.1%) of cases. It was also demonstrated that its location is variable as to left, right or midline. Its location was closer to the foramen magnum than to the external occipital protuberance in all the specimens. The morphology of this subject is important to the neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons. The knowledge is of importance in suboccipital craniotomies as this foramen transmits the occipital emissary vein and will keep awareness among the surgeons to avoid the excessive bleeding.