Foramen ovale (skull)

Foramen ovale (skull)

The Foramen ovale is a large oval opening in the sphenoid bone of the skull. It is one of the several oval apertures (the foramina) in the base of the skull, through which cranial nerves, arteries, veins, and other structures pass.

Etymology

The term "foramen ovale" comes from Latin, where "foramen" means "hole" and "ovale" refers to "oval". It is named for its oval shape.

Anatomy

The foramen ovale is located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, near the base of the skull. It is one of the larger of the several openings (foramina) in the skull. The foramen ovale allows passage for a number of important structures, including the mandibular nerve, the accessory meningeal artery, the lesser petrosal nerve, and emissary veins.

Clinical significance

The foramen ovale is of clinical significance in medicine. It can be involved in a number of medical conditions, including Trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which passes through the foramen ovale. In some cases, surgical procedures may be performed to treat conditions involving the foramen ovale, such as a Foramen ovale puncture.

Related terms

• Foramen: A natural opening or hole in a bone or other body structure.
• Sphenoid bone: A bone at the base of the skull, in which the foramen ovale is located.
• Skull: The bony structure that forms the head in vertebrates.
• Trigeminal neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that can involve the foramen ovale.
• Foramen ovale puncture: A surgical procedure that involves the foramen ovale.

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