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 (
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 ...
), 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 ...

, 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 ...