Morphometric Assessment of the Jugular Foramen and Its Clinical Correlates in Dry Human Crania

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 11, November 2026 | pp. 217–225

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/001025

Research Article

Title: Morphometric Assessment of the Jugular Foramen and Its Clinical Correlates in Dry Human Crania

Names of Authors: A. A. Adebayo¹, M. T. Al-S基础², J. P. Chevalier³*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
² Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
³ Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Paris-Saclay, Paris, France.

Abstract:
The jugular foramen is a structurally complex bony canal in the posterior cranial fossa that transmits vital neurovascular structures, including the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves, alongside the internal jugular vein. Structural asymmetry or bony overgrowth within this canal can lead to lower cranial nerve entrapment syndromes or complicate surgical approaches to the skull base. This study quantified the morphometric dimensions of the jugular foramen and documented the occurrence of complete or partial bony partitioning. A total of 110 dry, fully ossified adult human skulls (60 males, 50 females) were evaluated using a digital vernier caliper. The mean anteroposterior diameter was 8.12 ± 1.14 mm on the right side and 7.34 ± 0.98 mm on the left side. The mean mediolateral diameter measured 15.42 ± 1.84 mm on the right and 14.11 ± 1.56 mm on the left. Right-sided dominance in overall foramen volume was observed in 72.7% of crania (p < 0.05). Complete bony bridge partitioning that divided the foramen into anteromedial and posterolateral compartments was observed in 8.2% of specimens, occurring predominantly on the right side. These distinct metric variations highlight significant lateral asymmetry within the posterior cranial base, providing useful reference points for neurosurgeons planning lateral skull base dissections or jugular glomus tumor resections.

Keywords: Jugular foramen, Skull base, Morphometry, Cranial nerve entrapment, Lateral asymmetry.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 12, 2026; Revised: October 05, 2026; Accepted: October 24, 2026; Published: November 20, 2026.

Citation: Adebayo AA, Al-S基础 MT, Chevalier JP. Morphometric Assessment of the Jugular Foramen and Its Clinical Correlates in Dry Human Crania. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology. 2026; 15(11): 217–225. doi:10.46882/2026/IJAP/001025

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