This article lists

foramina In anatomy Anatomy (Greek ''anatomē'', 'dissection') is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy is a branch of natural science which deals with the structural organization of li ...

that occur in the

human body The human body is the structure of a Human, human being. It is composed of many different types of Cell (biology), cells that together create Tissue (biology), tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the life, viabi ...

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Skull

The

human skull The skull is a bone A bone is a Stiffness, rigid tissue (anatomy), tissue that constitutes part of the skeleton in most vertebrate animals. Bones protect the various organs of the body, produce red blood cell, red and white blood cells, sto ...

has numerous openings (

), through which

cranial nerves Cranial nerves are the nerve A nerve is an enclosed, cable-like bundle of fibers (called axon An axon (from Greek ἄξων ''áxōn'', axis), or nerve fiber (or nerve fibre: see American and British English spelling differences#-re, -er, ...

arteries An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; the two exceptions are the pulmonary arteries, pulmonary ...

veins Veins are blood vessels The blood vessels are the components of the circulatory system The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system or the vascular system, is an organ system An organ system is a biological system A b ...

veins

, and other structures pass. These foramina vary in size and number, with age. Gray193.png ,

Base of the skull The base of skull, also known as the cranial base or the cranial floor, is the most inferior area of the skull The skull is a bone A bone is a rigid tissue Tissue may refer to: Biology * Tissue (biology), an ensemble of similar cells ...

, upper surface Gray187.png , Base of the skull, inferior surface, attachment of muscles marked in red

Spine

Within the

vertebral column The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton Axial may refer to: * one of the describing relationships in an animal body * and submarine volcano off Oregon, USA * , a ghost town * In geometry: :* ...

(spine) of vertebrates, including the

human spine The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton. The vertebral column is the defining characteristic of a vertebrate in which the notochord (a flexible rod of uniform composition) found in all chordata, ...

, each bone has an opening at both its top and bottom to allow nerves, arteries, veins, etc. to pass through.

Other

Apical foramen In anatomy the apical foramen is the opening at the apex of the Cementum, root of a tooth, through which the nerve and blood vessels that supply the dental pulp pass. Thus it represents the junction of the pulp and the periodontal tissue. Charac ...

, the opening at the tip of the root of a tooth *

Foramen ovale (heart) In anatomy Anatomy (Greek ''anatomē'', 'dissection') is the branch of biology Biology is the natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their anatomy, physical structure, Biochemistry, chemical processes, Mole ...

, an opening between the venous and arterial sides of the fetal heart *

Foramen transversarium In the vertebrate spinal column, each vertebra is an irregular bone with a complex structure composed of bone and some hyaline cartilage, the proportions of which vary according to the segment of the vertebral column, backbone and the species of ...

, one of a pair of openings in each cervical vertebra, in which the vertebral artery travels *

Greater sciatic foramen The greater sciatic foramen is an opening (foramen In anatomy Anatomy (Greek ''anatomē'', 'dissection') is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organism In biology, an organism (from Ancient Greek, ...

, a major foramen of the pelvis * Interventricular foramen, channels connecting ventricles in the brain *

Intervertebral foramen The intervertebral foramen (also called neural foramen, and often abbreviated as IV foramen or IVF), is a foramen In anatomy Anatomy (Greek ''anatomē'', 'dissection') is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure ...

, foramina formed between vertebrae *

Lesser sciatic foramen The lesser sciatic foramen is an opening (:wikt:foramen, foramen) between the pelvis and the back of the thigh. The foramen is formed by the sacrotuberous ligament which runs between the sacrum and the ischial tuberosity and the sacrospinous ligame ...

, an opening between the pelvis and the posterior thigh *

Obturator foramen The obturator foramen (Latin foramen obturatum) is the large opening created by the ischium and pubis (bone), pubis bones of the pelvis through which nerves and blood vessels pass. Structure It is bounded by a thin, uneven margin, to which a stro ...

, the opening created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis *

Vertebral foramen In a typical vertebra In the vertebrate spinal column The vertebral column, also known as the backbone or spine, is part of the axial skeleton. The vertebral column is the defining characteristic of a vertebrate in which the notochord (a fl ...

, the foramen formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch

References

{{Foramina of skull

Foramina In anatomy Anatomy (Greek ''anatomē'', 'dissection') is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy is a branch of natural science which deals with the structural organization of li ...