Occipital Emissary Foramen ? A Morphometric Analysis

AIM The objectives were to find the incidence and topography and to identify the types of the occipital emissary foramen in the human skulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS USED In the present study, 60 dried adult human skulls were examined. They were analyzed for the gross incidence and position of the occipital emissary foramen. The observations were made in the squamous part of the occipital bone from the posterior margin of the foramen magnum to the external occipital protuberance. RESULTS From our observations, the occipital emissary foramen was found in 14 skulls. Left-sided foramen was observed in 6 cases, Right-sided foramen was found in 5 cases and the median foramen is found in 3 cases but bilateral foramen is not found in any of the skulls. CONCLUSION The occipital emissary foramen conducts the occipital emissary vein. This morphology is important to neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons. Its knowledge is of importance in sub-occipital craniotomies as this foramen transmits the occipital emissary vein and will keep awareness among the surgeons to avoid excessive bleeding.