THE FORAMINA OF THE MIDDLE FOSSA: A PHYLOGENETIC, ANATOMIC AND PATHOLOGIC STUDY

Abstract

The authors have presented the anatomic relationships of the major foramina of the middle fossa of the human skull and various factors to be considered in their roentgenographic demonstration. From comparative studies of representative mammalian skulls, including those of subhuman primates, phylogenetic relationships can be recognized in the morphogenesis of the foraminal variations encountered in man. An effort is made to point out those variations which may be clinically significant. In addition, disease processes which affect the bone structures at the base of the skull and alter the foramina of the middle [See figure in the PDF file] fossa by erosive or constrictive change, are discussed in terms of roentgenographic recognition and interpretation.