Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
DUZCE MEDICAL JOURNAL = DÜZCE TIP FAKÜLTESI DERGISI, cilt.27, sa.3, ss.315-320, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Aim: This study aimed to characterize the morphological types of the foramen lacerum (FL), perform detailed morphometric measurements, and analyze its anatomical relationships with adjacent structures to provide reliable reference data for surgical planning. Material and Methods: Nineteen dry human skulls obtained from Bilecik Seyh Edebali and Harran University Faculties of Medicine were evaluated. Morphometric measurements were conducted using ImageJ software based on standardized inferior-view photographs. The FL was classified into three types based on patency: normal, partially obliterated, and partially ossified. Measurements included intrinsic dimensions of the FL and linear distances from the posteromedial corner of the FL to adjacent anatomical landmarks. Results: No completely closed FL was observed. Bilateral partial-type FL was identified in 3 skulls. Partial type was observed in 6 (31.6%) skulls on the right and 3 (15.8%) on the left; while open type was observed in 13 (68.4%) and 16 (84.2%)skulls, respectively. Significant differences in transverse diameter and surface area were found between FL types (both p<0.001). High positive correlations were observed between key linear measurements, particularly between the FL to the anterior (FL-FOA) and posterior (FL-FOP) margins of the foramen ovale, and between the FL to the anterior (FL-FSA) and posterior (FL-FSP) margins of the foramen spinosum. Conclusion: This study provides a distinctive contribution by combining detailed morphometric analysis with a classification-based evaluation of the FL and its relationships with neighboring foramina. The resulting anatomical data offer valuable insights that may support safer and more precise surgical interventions at the skull base. Keywords: Foramen lacerum; adjacent anatomical landmarks; skull base anatomy; morphometric analysis