Relationship between jugular foramen dimensions and neurocranium shape

Abstract

Background: Several studies reported that the jugular foramen (JF) dimensions are related to the size of the internal jugular vein and morphology of the superior bulb. The present study raises the hypothesis that the JF dimensions may also be influenced by the skull dimensions. This study aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the JF dimensions and the neurocranium shape. Methods: The greater depth of the jugular fossa (DJF), the greater diameter of the lateromedial axis (DLM), and the largest diameters of the neural compartment (DNC) and vascular compartment (DVC) were measured in a sample of 97 adult skulls. Using these measures 3 J F indices were proposed: index 1 = 100 * DVC/DLM; index 2 = 100 * DJF/DLM; index 3 = 100 * DVC/DJF. The neurocranium shape was obtained by cranial index (CI) as being 100 * bitemporal width/fronto-occipital length. Results: The skulls had the CI with mean values 82.64 ± 3.74 (brachycephalic) and the analyzes showed that the left DJF tended to be shallower in the skulls with high CI values (p = 0.023). A significant correlation was observed for the CI and index 1 at the right side (p = 0.007), and CI and index 3 at right (p = 0.008) and left (p = 0.038) sides. All JF indices showed that right and left JF are proportionally symmetrical between sides (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: The JF proportions were weak but significantly related to the neurocranium shape, mainly in the vascular compartment. Indices that assess the JF proportions have been described, and may be useful in future studies.

Keywords

• Jugular foramen
• Skull base
• Neurocranium shape
• Cranial index