Abstract Background and Objective: Foramen magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone of human skull. Its morphometry is of outmost importance for neurosurgeons, radiologists, forensic experts, anatomists and anthropologists. Our study aims at measuring the morphometric measurements of foramen magnum in dry adult human skull and analyse the observation. Materials and Methods: One hundred dry adult human skulls of unknown age and sex were collected from the museum of the department of Anatomy of Navodaya Medical College, Raichur. The morphometric analysis of the foramen magnum was done using vernier calipers. Results: The mean antero-posterior diameter (APD) of the foramen magnum was found to be 34.1 mm. The mean transverse diameter (TD) of the foramen magnum was found to be 28.68 mm. The mean surface area of the foramen magnum was found to be 774.17 sq.mms. The mean foramen magnum index (FMI) was found to be 84.18. Conclusion: The knowledge of the dimensions of the foramen magnum helps the neurosurgeons, radiologists, forensic experts, anatomists and anthropologists during their analysis or surgery. This study is worthwhile because of this importance.
Keywords: Foramen Magnum; Skull; Human; Anatomy; Morphometry.