MORPHOMETRIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF THE JUGULAR FORAMEN IN METOPIC SKULLS

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the shape, morphometric parameters, and topographic features of the jugular foramen in metopic skulls of different ages, sexes, and cranial indices. The study material consisted of 4 skulls with metopic sutures obtained from the osteological collection of the Department of Human Anatomy at Azerbaijan Medical University. On both the right and left sides, the maximum length and width of each jugular foramen were measured, and their surface area was calculated based on these dimensions. To determine topographic features, the distance from the center of the jugular foramen to the following anatomical landmarks was measured: the apex of the mastoid process, the center of the jugular jugular-mastoid foramen, the center of the external acoustic meatus, the posterior margin of the foramen magnum (opisthion). Out of the 4 examined metopic skulls, 3 belonged to females. The analysis revealed that the jugular foramen in brachycranial skulls was more elongated (pear pear-shaped or dumbbell dumbbell-shaped). In both dolichocranial and brachycranial skulls, the area of the jugular foramen was larger on the right side than on the left. Specifically, in a brachycranial skull, the maximum area on the right was 130.8 mm ² and the minimum was 74.0 mm ². This foramen was located closer to the jugular jugular-mastoid foramen and showed a positive correlation with increasing cranial width and age. It was determined that the shape, dimensions, area, and topographic position of the jugular foramen in metopic skulls depend on cranial index and age. These findings are of particular importance for surgeons, otolaryngologists, and anesthesiologists (e.g., in performing the Auriculotemporal nerve block), and they provide a foundation for further integrated morphological and clinical research.
The described parameters may be useful in evaluating jugular foramen pathologies and adjacent regions in metopic skulls. It was determined that the shape, dimensions, area, and topographic position of the jugular foramen in metopic skulls depend on cranial index and age. These findings are of particular importance for surgeons, otolaryngologists, and anesthesiologists (e.g., in performing the Auriculotemporal nerve block), and they provide a foundation for further integrated morphological and clinical research. The described parameters may be useful in evaluating jugular foramen pathologies and adjacent regions in metopic skulls.