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List of foramina of the human body
open-in-new
<h2 id="skull">Skull</h2> <p>The <a href="/facts/Human_skull/A9Wp63Np">human skull</a> has numerous openings (<a href="/facts/Foramen/vRp11d39">foramina</a>), through which <a href="/facts/Cranial_nerves/8zAVI3Ua">cranial nerves</a>, <a href="/facts/Arteries/Y1Yj0jat">arteries</a>, <a href="/facts/Veins/I6ycr6gF">veins</a>, and other structures pass. These foramina vary in size and number, with age.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p> <table><tbody><tr><th>Bone</th><th>Cranial fossa</th><th>Foramina</th><th>Number</th><th>Vessels</th><th>Nerves</th></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Frontal_bone/4dsgSej6">frontal</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Supraorbital_foramen/rnKd084T">supraorbital foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Supraorbital_artery/SWpT61ID">supraorbital artery</a> <a href="/facts/Supraorbital_vein/nUQaswh7">supraorbital vein</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Supraorbital_nerve/M468m21I">supraorbital nerve</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Frontal_bone/4dsgSej6">frontal</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_cranial_fossa/q8GJyljX">anterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_cecum_(frontal_bone)/pXqdFnd2">foramen cecum</a></td><td>1</td><td><a href="/facts/Emissary_veins/feHTKDLY">emissary veins</a> to <a href="/facts/Superior_sagittal_sinus/7VEJ1J0B">superior sagittal sinus</a> from the upper part of the nose<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Ethmoid_bone/5owJDG76">ethmoid</a></td><td>anterior cranial fossa (osama)</td><td><a href="/facts/Foramina_of_cribriform_plate/Qb84w4bn">foramina of cribriform plate</a></td><td>~20</td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Olfactory_nerve/HhSYfgUo">olfactory nerve</a> bundles (I)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Ethmoid_bone/5owJDG76">ethmoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_cranial_fossa/q8GJyljX">anterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_ethmoidal_foramen/cqM0EmHC">anterior ethmoidal foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_ethmoidal_artery/ABXA1Pv2">anterior ethmoidal artery</a><a href="/facts/Anterior_ethmoidal_vein/bczrqFr3">anterior ethmoidal vein</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_ethmoidal_nerve/ByIIQemC">anterior ethmoidal nerve</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Ethmoid_bone/5owJDG76">ethmoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_cranial_fossa/q8GJyljX">anterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_ethmoidal_foramen/pX0BApqo">posterior ethmoidal foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_ethmoidal_artery/eTxUX6yH">posterior ethmoidal artery</a><a href="/facts/Posterior_ethmoidal_vein/bczrqFr3">posterior ethmoidal vein</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_ethmoidal_nerve/dImFl6Fm">posterior ethmoidal nerve</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Optic_canal/Be7psp07">optic canal</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Ophthalmic_artery/HubwUkG6">ophthalmic artery</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Optic_nerve/3AJDdVN5">optic nerve</a> (II)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_cranial_fossa/A9635f7R">middle cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Superior_orbital_fissure/K1wGSVzC">superior orbital fissure</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Superior_ophthalmic_vein/bczrqFr3">superior ophthalmic vein</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Oculomotor_nerve/eu6TGIoI">oculomotor nerve</a> (III) <a href="/facts/Trochlear_nerve/nWA4tb8y">trochlear nerve</a> (IV)<a href="/facts/Lacrimal_nerve/tVTeKHsK">lacrimal</a>, <a href="/facts/Frontal_nerve/3FAhHeTL">frontal</a> and <a href="/facts/Nasociliary/CEhcX6oB">nasociliary</a> branches of <a href="/facts/Ophthalmic_nerve/9NtP63dF">ophthalmic nerve</a> (V1)<a href="/facts/Abducent_nerve/xp8KDQYr">abducent nerve</a> (VI)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_cranial_fossa/A9635f7R">middle cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_rotundum/9yHUJooh">foramen rotundum</a></td><td>2</td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Maxillary_nerve/oCzztzr2">maxillary nerve</a> (V2)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Maxilla/LbgmySaT">maxilla</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Incisive_foramen/SBPKQupa">incisive foramen</a>/<a href="/facts/Incisive_canal/CMgprYAC">canal</a>/Stenson/<a href="/facts/Foramina_of_Scarpa/1xWkbI3f">Scarpa</a></td><td>4</td><td>terminal branch of <a href="/facts/Descending_palatine_artery/r32BjEqw">descending palatine artery</a></td><td>Terminal part of<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> <a href="/facts/Nasopalatine_nerve/Ftszyhn0">nasopalatine nerve</a> (V2)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Palatine_bone/H8VBCeA1">palatine</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Greater_palatine_foramen/BHLcnffF">greater palatine foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Greater_palatine_artery/AW9Ljbng">greater palatine artery</a>greater palatine vein</td><td><a href="/facts/Greater_palatine_nerve/1ptqsYFW">greater palatine nerve</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Palatine_bone/H8VBCeA1">palatine</a> and <a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_sphenopalatinum/Yb9bnoxr">foramen sphenopalatinum</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Sphenopalatine_artery/xsnf1YCF">sphenopalatine artery</a>sphenopalatine vein</td><td>nasopalatine nerverami nasales posteriores superiores (V2)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Palatine_bone/H8VBCeA1">palatine</a> and <a href="/facts/Maxilla/LbgmySaT">maxilla</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Lesser_palatine_foramina/IxBvvHtm">lesser palatine foramina</a></td><td>4</td><td><a href="/facts/Lesser_palatine_arteries/jNrGLDCF">lesser palatine arteries</a>lesser palatine vein</td><td><a href="/facts/Lesser_palatine_nerve/nAgK62IW">lesser palatine nerve</a>, <a href="/facts/Greater_palatine_nerve/1ptqsYFW">greater palatine nerve</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a> and <a href="/facts/Maxilla/LbgmySaT">maxilla</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Inferior_orbital_fissure/kfRETKYV">inferior orbital fissure</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Inferior_ophthalmic_vein/aN64fUoD">inferior ophthalmic veins</a> <a href="/facts/Infraorbital_artery/rmTfxISo">infraorbital artery</a><a href="/facts/Infraorbital_vein/UeRmRvkG">infraorbital vein</a>, tributary of <a href="/facts/Pterygoid_plexus/fXV2wMa1">pterygoid plexus</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Zygomatic_nerve/dYBk0xLB">zygomatic nerve</a> and <a href="/facts/Infraorbital_nerve/NBQm4ePf">infraorbital nerve</a> of <a href="/facts/Maxillary_nerve/oCzztzr2">maxillary nerve</a> (V2) orbital branches of <a href="/facts/Pterygopalatine_ganglion/4NakQ2GJ">pterygopalatine ganglion</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Maxilla/LbgmySaT">maxilla</a></td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Infraorbital_foramen/657nUcRe">infraorbital foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Infraorbital_artery/rmTfxISo">infraorbital artery</a>infraorbital vein, tributary of <a href="/facts/Pterygoid_plexus/fXV2wMa1">pterygoid plexus</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Infraorbital_nerve/NBQm4ePf">infraorbital nerve</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_cranial_fossa/A9635f7R">middle cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_ovale_(skull)/jMuEHhAg">foramen ovale</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Accessory_meningeal_artery/gP6pf5Wq">accessory meningeal artery</a>, <a href="/facts/Emissary_vein/feHTKDLY">emissary vein</a> connecting <a href="/facts/Cavernous_sinus/fn8CHXxX">cavernous sinus</a> with <a href="/facts/Pterygoid_plexus/fXV2wMa1">pterygoid plexus</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Mandibular_nerve/nqNleDY6">mandibular nerve</a> (V3) <a href="/facts/Lesser_petrosal_nerve/W8z9uLvP">lesser petrosal nerve</a> (occasionally)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_cranial_fossa/A9635f7R">middle cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_spinosum/DHU3bvda">foramen spinosum</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_meningeal_artery/B1XJKglC">middle meningeal artery</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Meningeal_branch_of_the_mandibular_nerve/4EellcAd">meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve</a> (V3)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Sphenoid_bone/7GGt2f8s">sphenoid</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_cranial_fossa/A9635f7R">middle cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_lacerum/XdCnY79C">foramen lacerum</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Artery_of_pterygoid_canal/bNIUrWJb">artery of pterygoid canal</a>, Meningeal branch of <a href="/facts/Ascending_pharyngeal_artery/alVTQ2DB">ascending pharyngeal artery</a>, <a href="/facts/Emissary_vein/feHTKDLY">emissary vein</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Nerve_of_pterygoid_canal/zMCBv1hB">nerve of pterygoid canal</a> through its anterior wall</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Temporal_bone/H6dozthp">temporal</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Middle_cranial_fossa/A9635f7R">middle cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Carotid_canal/u5x8roDz">carotid canal</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Internal_carotid_artery/b0fKhYsG">internal carotid artery</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Internal_carotid_plexus/NoPrHJ2Y">internal carotid plexus</a>, sympathetics from the <a href="/facts/Superior_cervical_ganglion/tuxNLcpS">superior cervical ganglion</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Temporal_bone/H6dozthp">temporal</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cranial_fossa/mXEPvv7u">posterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Internal_acoustic_meatus/PYEWHAuT">internal acoustic meatus</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Labyrinthine_artery/WULyx03x">labyrinthine artery</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Facial_nerve/xJq3Vvch">facial nerve</a> (VII), <a href="/facts/Vestibulocochlear_nerve/VJfIurYn">vestibulocochlear nerve</a> (VIII)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Temporal_bone/H6dozthp">temporal</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cranial_fossa/mXEPvv7u">posterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Jugular_foramen/a4MDcPyQ">jugular foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Internal_jugular_vein/C2L97DF8">internal jugular vein</a>, <a href="/facts/Inferior_petrosal_sinus/DwEvL0Bg">inferior petrosal sinus</a>, <a href="/facts/Sigmoid_sinus/yo28ydzt">sigmoid sinus</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Glossopharyngeal_nerve/XBAjNStT">glossopharyngeal nerve</a> (IX), <a href="/facts/Vagus_nerve/cKQR0rLm">vagus nerve</a> (X), <a href="/facts/Accessory_nerve/o1ytrt6V">accessory nerve</a> (XI)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Temporal_bone/H6dozthp">temporal</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cranial_fossa/mXEPvv7u">posterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Stylomastoid_foramen/21nHzIBY">stylomastoid foramen</a></td><td>2</td><td><a href="/facts/Stylomastoid_artery/zaGNVMAN">stylomastoid artery</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Facial_nerve/xJq3Vvch">facial nerve</a> (VII)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Occipital_bone/zsgqpNIa">occipital</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cranial_fossa/mXEPvv7u">posterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Hypoglossal_canal/44ceSsbD">hypoglossal canal</a></td><td>2</td><td>-</td><td><a href="/facts/Hypoglossal_nerve/VSx2GtCK">hypoglossal nerve</a> (XII)</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Occipital_bone/zsgqpNIa">occipital</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cranial_fossa/mXEPvv7u">posterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Foramen_magnum/nlxwvfuU">foramen magnum</a></td><td>1</td><td><a href="/facts/Anterior_spinal_artery/Cpqw3FCx">anterior</a> and <a href="/facts/Posterior_spinal_artery/smoy3KAr">posterior spinal arteries</a>, <a href="/facts/Vertebral_arteries/BBM3BMDm">vertebral arteries</a></td><td>lowest part of <a href="/facts/Medulla_oblongata/KdSbCCkB">medulla oblongata</a>, three meninges, ascending spinal fibers of <a href="/facts/Accessory_nerve/o1ytrt6V">accessory nerve</a> (XI)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Occipital_bone/zsgqpNIa">occipital</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Posterior_cranial_fossa/mXEPvv7u">posterior cranial fossa</a></td><td><a href="/facts/Condylar_canal/mvypWs9Q">condylar canal</a></td><td>1</td><td><a href="/facts/Occipital_emissary_vein/BNvYPDyL">occipital emissary vein</a>, <a href="/facts/Meningeal_branch_of_occipital_artery/bXceAUM2">meningeal branch of occipital artery</a></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="spine">Spine</h2> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Intervertebral_foramina/dz7LYNt8">Intervertebral foramina</a></p> <p>Within the <a href="/facts/Vertebral_column/Nuw1kV7o">vertebral column</a> (spine) of vertebrates, including the <a href="/facts/Human_vertebral_column/Nuw1kV7o">human spine</a>, each bone has an opening at both its top and bottom to allow nerves, arteries, veins, etc. to pass through. </p> <h2 id="other">Other</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Apical_foramen/oasGgxm6">Apical foramen</a>, the opening at the tip of the root of a tooth</li> <li><a href="/facts/Foramen_ovale_(heart)/LJFInDLv">Foramen ovale (heart)</a>, an opening between the venous and arterial sides of the fetal heart</li> <li><a href="/facts/Foramen_transversarium/qAdLhD5H">Foramen transversarium</a>, one of a pair of openings in each cervical vertebra, in which the vertebral artery travels</li> <li><a href="/facts/Greater_sciatic_foramen/c26g5kFs">Greater sciatic foramen</a>, a major foramen of the pelvis</li> <li><a href="/facts/Interventricular_foramina_(neural_anatomy)/9NkdN6vc">Interventricular foramen</a>, channels connecting ventricles in the brain</li> <li><a href="/facts/Intervertebral_foramen/dz7LYNt8">Intervertebral foramen</a>, foramina formed between vertebrae</li> <li><a href="/facts/Lesser_sciatic_foramen/ff089W8I">Lesser sciatic foramen</a>, an opening between the pelvis and the posterior thigh</li> <li><a href="/facts/Obturator_foramen/5x1CnUYB">Obturator foramen</a>, the opening created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis</li> <li><a href="/facts/Vertebral_foramen/SqesBy4k">Vertebral foramen</a>, the foramen formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Kalmey JK1, ThewissenJG, Dluzen DE (July 1998). "Age-related size reduction of foramina in the cribriform plate". Anat. Rec. 251 (3): 326–9. doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(199807)251:3<326::aid-ar7>3.3.co;2-#. PMID 9669759.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) <a href="/wiki/Hans_Thewissen" target="_blank">/wiki/Hans_Thewissen</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Patron V, Berkaoui J, Jankowski R, Lechapt-Zalcman E, Moreau S, Hitier M (Sep 2015). "The forgotten foramina: a study of the anterior cribriform plate". Surg Radiol Anat. 37 (7): 835–40. doi:10.1007/s00276-015-1471-2. PMID 25823692. S2CID 8906446. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" target="_blank">/wiki/Doi_(identifier)</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Chaurasia, BD (2013). BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy Volume 3. New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors PVT Ltd. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9788123923321. <a href="9788123923321" target="_blank">9788123923321</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Chaurasia, BD (2013). BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy Volume 3. New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors PVT Ltd. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9788123923321. <a href="9788123923321" target="_blank">9788123923321</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Chaurasia, BD (2013). BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy Volume 3. New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors PVT Ltd. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9788123923321. <a href="9788123923321" target="_blank">9788123923321</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Chaurasia, BD (2013). BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy Volume 3. New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors PVT Ltd. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9788123923321. <a href="9788123923321" target="_blank">9788123923321</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Chaurasia, BD (2013). BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy Volume 3. New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors PVT Ltd. pp. 56–57. ISBN 9788123923321. <a href="9788123923321" target="_blank">9788123923321</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>