Introduction: The foramen magnum is the largest foramen or opening present in the base of the skull. The dimensions of the foramen magnum are clinically crucial because many vital structures are passing through it. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the different shapes of the foramen magnum and its anteroposterior diameter and transverse diameter. Methods: This study was conducted on 32 dry human skulls of unknown age and sex. All the important parameters were studied using a vernier caliper. Results: The mean transverse diameter (TD) was found to be 27.75 ± 2.47mm (Mean ± SD) and the mean anteroposterior diameter (APD) was found to be 34.62 ± 3.58mm (Mean ± SD). The various shapes of the foramen magnum were observed. The most common shape was oval 46.9%, followed by round18.8%, tetragonal 15.6%, hexagonal 12.5%, and irregular 6.3%. Conclusions: In our study, the most common shape of the foramen magnum was oval; this can help the surgeons to perform post-cranial surgery and surgery near the foramen magnum as an oval shape indicates the narrow operative field. The study may also be helpful for anatomists for study purposes and forensic experts to determine the identity of different populations when compared to other studies.

Introduction: The examination of the placenta gives a clear idea of what happened with fetus when it was in the mother’s womb. The changes in placenta of women with pregnancy induced hypertension and normal pregnancies can be compared. Objective: This study was done to find out differences in gross structure and histology between normal and hypertensive placentas. Methods: Placenta from case and control group was collected from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan. The histology slides were prepared, examined and parameters was collected. Results: The mean weight of placenta in control group was 469.5±148.9gm and in case group was 375.50 ± 109.08gm which was statistically significant. The histological observation of syncytial knot, hyalinized villi, stromal fibrosis, necrosis, hemorrhage and calcification in placenta was significantly higher in case group than that of in normotensive group. Conclusions: It is concluded that, in hypertension complicating pregnancy, with increase of severity, there is decrease in morphology and increase in abnormal histological changes of placenta. So, the reduction in placental morphological parameters and histological changes might be the reason for retarded growth of baby with increased complication of hypertension.