List of foramina of the human body
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This page lists foramina found in the human body. Foramina (plural of foramen) are natural openings or holes in bones or tissues that allow the passage of nerves, blood vessels, and other structures.
Skull[edit | edit source]
The human skull contains numerous foramina that allow the passage of cranial nerves, arteries, veins, and other neurovascular structures. These openings are crucial for communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Base of skull – superior view
Spine[edit | edit source]
In the vertebral column, each vertebra has a pair of openings known as intervertebral foramina. These foramina are formed between adjacent vertebrae and allow the passage of spinal nerves, blood vessels, and other structures. The central opening in each vertebra is the vertebral foramen, which collectively form the vertebral canal housing the spinal cord.
Other Foramina[edit | edit source]
The human body contains many other significant foramina outside of the skull and spine, including:
- Apical foramen – opening at the tip of a tooth root
- Foramen ovale (heart) – fetal cardiac shunt between atria
- Foramen transversarium – openings in cervical vertebrae for the vertebral artery
- Greater sciatic foramen – major pelvic opening for sciatic nerve and vessels
- Lesser sciatic foramen – passage between pelvis and perineum
- Obturator foramen – large pelvic opening bounded by the ischium and pubis
- Interventricular foramina – channels connecting lateral and third ventricles in the brain
- Vertebral foramen – central canal of each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes
See Also[edit | edit source]
Portions of content adapted from Wikipedia's article on List of foramina of the human body which is released under the CC BY-SA 3.0.
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