Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, Education and Research

Register      Login

VOLUME 46 , ISSUE 4 ( October-December, 2012 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Morphometric Study of the Jugular Foramen in Northwest Indian Population

Anjali Aggarwal, Tulika Gupta, Harjeet Kaur, Anjali Singla, Daisy Sahni

Citation Information : Aggarwal A, Gupta T, Kaur H, Singla A, Sahni D. Morphometric Study of the Jugular Foramen in Northwest Indian Population. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012; 46 (4):165-171.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1038

Published Online: 01-06-2014

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2012; The Author(s).


Abstract

Context

Most of the approaches for skull base surgeries are designed to drill the bone around the jugular foramen for proper exposure. In order to achieve this, an understanding of normal morphometric dimensions of jugular foramen is necessary.

Aim

To conduct the morphometric analysis and anatomical variations of jugular foramen (JF) in Northwest Indian population.

Settings and design

Anatomic study using human skulls.

Materials and methods

Anteroposterior and mediolateral diameter of jugular foramen, depth (if domed) and width of jugular fossa were measured with the help of digital vernier caliper.

Statistical analysis used

The mean, standard deviation (SD) and range of each dimension was computed. A comparison between right and left jugular foramina was made by using student's t-test.

Results

Mediolateral diameter of jugular foramen and width of jugular fossa was significantly higher on the right side. An abnormal unilateral blockage of jugular foramen by a bone growth converting it into a slit was noted with anteroposterior (AP) diameter of 2.37 mm in one skull. Bilateral complete septation of jugular foramen into two and three compartments was observed in 2 (4%) and 3 (6%) of the skulls respectively. The domed bony roof was noticed in 66% of the skulls on both the sides.

Conclusion

The observed variations of JF are possibly due to constitutional, racial or genetic factors. Knowledge of the observed variations of this foramen may be important for neurosurgeons, radiologists and anthropologists.

Key message

The total subdivision of jugular foramen is not common in our environment. The jugular foramen is generally larger on right side. This study supports reported morphometric variations of jugular foramen, besides adding data on the Northwest Indian population.

Abbreviation

CC: carotid canal; BO: basi-occiput; OC: occipital condyle; JF: jugular foramen; S: styloid process.

How to cite this article

Singla A, Sahni D, Aggarwal A, Gupta T, Kaur H. Morphometric Study of the Jugular Foramen in Northwest Indian Population. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(4):165-171.


PDF Share
  1. Jugular foramen tumors: Diagnosis and treatment. Neurosurg Focus 2004;17(2):31-40.
  2. Transcondylar fossa (supracondylar transjugular tubercle) approach: Anatomic basis for the approach, surgical procedures and surgical experience. Skull Base 2010;20(2):83-91.
  3. Transmastoid—infralabyrinthine tailored surgery of jugular paragangliomas. Skull Base 2009;19(1):75-82.
  4. Surgical management of glomus jugular tumors: A proposal for approach selection based on tumor relationships with the facial nerve. J Neurosurg 2010;112(1) 88-98.
  5. Approach to the jugular foramen and related structures—an analysis of the surgical technique based on cadaver simulation. Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(3):260-74.
  6. Surgical management of jugular foramen schwannomas with hearing and facial nerve function preservation: A series of 23 cases and review of literature. Laryngoscope 2006;116(12):191-204.
  7. Microsurgery via modified far—lateral approach for giant dumbbell shaped jugular foramen tumors. Chin J Cancer 2010;29(2):207-11.
  8. Anatomy of the cranial blood sinuses with particular reference to the lateral. Laryngoscope 1939;49:966-1010.
  9. The development of cranial venous system in man, from the viewpoint of comparative anatomy. Contributions to Embryology 1957;36:79-140.
  10. Morphometric aspects of the jugular foramen in dry skulls of adult individuals in Southern Brazil. J Morphol Sci 2010;27(1):3-5.
  11. The jugular foramen—a morphometric study. Folia Morphol 2004;63:419-22.
  12. Slit-like jugular foramen due to abnormal bone growth at jugular fossa—a case report. IJAV 2010;3:74-75.
  13. A case report of vernet syndrome with varicella zoster virus infection. J Neurol Sci 2008;270:209-10.
  14. Critical distances in the middle and inner ear and in posterior cranial fossa. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otol 1972;76:108-29.
  15. High jugular bulb and conductive hearing loss. Laryngoscope 1997;107:321-27.
  16. A high placed jugular bulb in the middle ear: A clinical and temporal bone study. Laryngoscope 1973;83: 1986-91.
  17. Anatomical delineation of a safety zone for drilling the internal acoustic meatus during surgery for vestibular schwanomma by retrosigmoid suboccipital approach. Clin Anat 2009;22:794-99.
  18. Variations in the structure of the jugular foramen of human skull. J Anat 1988;160:227-30.
  19. Variations in the structure of the jugular foramen of the human skull in Saurashtra region. J Anat Soc India 2007;56(2):34-37.
  20. Structural variations in the jugular foramen of the human skull. J Anat 1992;180:191-96.
  21. The foramina of middle fossa: A phylogenetic, anatomic and pathologic study. Am J Roentgenol 1967;101:779-94.
  22. Compartmentation of jugular foramen. J Neurosurg 1972;36:340-43.
  23. Morphology and compartmentation of the jugular foramen in adult Indian skulls. Surg Radiol Anat 2010;32:447-53.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.