Anatomical Variations of Foramen Vesalius in the Middle Cranial Fossa and its Clinical Significance

Authors

Rakhshinda Iram Pak International Medical College, Peshawar.
Abdul Hafeez Khan Bannu Medical College, Bannu.
Aisha Sadaf Khyber Medical University, Kohat.
Nadira Hameed Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, Karachi.
Nabila Momin Rehman Medical College, Peshawar.
Gulshad Aziz Khyber Medical University, Kohat.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51273/esc25.251321121

Keywords:

Middle cranial fossa, Greater wing of Sphenoid, Foramen Vesalius

Abstract

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of foramen Vesalius and correlate the findings with clinical
significance.
Material and Methods: After getting ethical approval certificate from the concerned authorities, the study
was conducted on 27 dry adult human skulls that were acquired from the Anatomy Department at Khyber
Medical College, Peshawar. A total of twenty-seven dry adult human skulls were selected for the study. These
were then studied for the presence or absence of the foramen. If present, variations were then seen in its
symmetry, diameter, shape, and any increase in its number. After the collection of data, descriptive statistics
were calculated.
Results: Among the 27 skulls, 11 (40.7%) were noted to have Foramen Vesalius. Out of the 11 skulls with
Foramen Vesalius, 9 (82%) had a unilateral foramen, while 2 (18%) had it bilaterally. In unilateral cases, the
foramen was more common on the right side as compared to the left.In skulls with the foramen, the mean
maximum diameter was 0.52±0.83 mm on the right side and 0.33±0.72 mm on the left side. Foramen Vesalius
was identified as round in 10 (77%) and oval in 3 (23%) of the total foramina seen, with no irregularly shaped
foramina. However, there was no statistical significance in the difference between the maximum dimensions
on the right and left sided foramen Vesalius. However, there was no statistical significance in the difference
between the maximum dimensions on the right and left sided foramen Vesalius.
Conclusion: Foramen Vesalius exhibited variations in its occurrence, symmetry, and morphology in 41% of
the skulls included in the study. The variations observed could be attributed to developmental factors. The
findings in this study are significant to anatomists and are equally important for clinicians who use this
foramen in order to approach the middle cranial cavity for various procedures.
Keywords: Foramen Vesalius, middle cranial fossa, greater wing of sphenoid.
How to cite: Iram R, Khan AH, Sadaf A, Hameed N, Momin N, Aziz G. Anatomical variations of Foramen Vesalius in
the Middle Cranial Fossa and its Clinical Significance. Esculapio - JSIMS 2025;21(01): 116-120
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51273/esc25.251321121

Author Biography

Rakhshinda Iram, Pak International Medical College, Peshawar.

Demonstrator, Anatomy Department, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar

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Published

2025-03-31

How to Cite

Rakhshinda Iram, Abdul Hafeez Khan, Aisha Sadaf, Nadira Hameed, Nabila Momin, Gulshad Aziz. Anatomical Variations of Foramen Vesalius in the Middle Cranial Fossa and its Clinical Significance. Esculapio - JSIMS [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 31 [cited 2025 May 13];21(1):116-20. Available from: https://esculapio.pk/journal/index.php/journal-files/article/view/1207