MORPHOMETRIC AND MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PARIETAL FORAMEN VARIATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR NEUROSURGICAL AND VASCULAR PLANNING
Keywords:
Keywords: Parietal foramen, parietal emissary vein, craniometric analysis, anatomical variability, neurosurgical planning, foramen morphology, exit orientationAbstract
Background. The parietal foramen is a paired anatomical opening situated near the sagittal suture on the posterior parietal bone that transmits the parietal emissary vein (PEV), establishing venous communication between the superior sagittal sinus and the extracranial scalp veins, and occasionally carries a meningeal arterial branch. Its variability is clinically relevant during midline craniotomies, parasagittal surgical approaches, and placement of ventricular or bone-flap hardware, where unrecognized anatomical differences may cause troublesome haemorrhage or venous air embolism.
Objective. To investigate the morphometric and morphological variations of the parietal foramen in dried human skulls and assess their clinical relevance for neurosurgical planning.
Materials and Methods. A total of 29 dried human skulls from the Anatomy Department of Samarkand State Medical University were examined using craniometric methods. Foramen length, width, diameter, shape, and exit orientation were measured with calipers. Statistical analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results. The mean diameter of the parietal foramen was 0.24 cm on the right side and 0.24 cm on the left, with an overall mean of 0.24 cm. Oval-shaped foramina were most common on the right (50.0%), while stellate shapes predominated on the left (40.7%). Exit orientation varied, with a laterally-medially course most prevalent on the right (29.2%) and both laterally-medially and anteriorly-superiorly-medially courses most prevalent on the left (25.9%). Absence of the foramen was recorded in 17.2% of right and 6.9% of left sides.
Conclusion. The parietal foramen exhibits significant morphometric and morphological variability, with implications for parasagittal and midline neurosurgical approaches. Preoperative recognition of its dimensions and exit orientations is essential to reduce surgical risks and improve patient outcomes.
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