A morphometric study of foramen ovale and foramen spinosum of the human sphenoid bone in the southern Nigerian population

Objective: Conduct a morphometric study of foramina ovale and spinosum of the human sphenoid bone. Methodology and results: The study was carried out using 87 dry adult human skulls obtained from cadavers in the laboratories of the Departments of Anatomy of the Universities of Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Okofia, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Abia State University, Uturu and University of Calabar, all in Southern Nigeria. Measurements were done using a pair of dividers to span across the anteroposterior (length) and transverse (width) margins of the foramina and then transferred to a meter rule for the readings to be taken. The lengths of right and left foramen ovale were 5.0 – 9.5mm and 5.0 – 9.0mm, respectively. The mean of the lengths of the right foramen ovale was 7.01±0.10mm while that of the lengths of the left foramen ovale was 6.89± 0.09mm. The widths of both right and left foramen ovale were 2.0 5.0mm. The mean of the widths of the right foramen ovale was 3.37± 0.07mm while that of the left foramen ovale was 3.33±0.07mm. There was no significant difference between the mean of the length and width of the right and left foramen ovale. The length of right and left foramen spinosum was 1.5 3.5mm and 1.0 4.0mm, respectively. The mean of the length of the right foramen spinosum was 2.34 ±0.05mm while that of the left was 2.36±0.05mm.The width of both right and left foramen spinosum was 1.0mm to 2.0mm. The mean of the widths of the right foramen spinosum was 1.66±0.03mm while that of the left foramen spinosum was 1.61±0.03mm. There was no significant difference between the mean of the length and width of the right and left foramen spinosum. Conclusion and application: This study is of clinical and anatomical significance to medical practitioners in cases of trigeminal neuralgia and in diagnostic detection of tumors and abnormal bony outgrowths.