Back ground:The foramen spinosum is one of important foramina located in the base of the skull on the greater wing of sphenoid bone situated posteriorlaterally to the foramen ovale, therefore it could be identified both from the exterior and interior of the skull base, externally the foramen spinosum pierces the spinous process of the sphenoid bone at its apex or medial aspect. Foramen spinosum transmits the passage of the middle meningeal artery, parietal trunk of the middle meningeal artery and posterior trunk of the middle meningeal vein to the middle cranial fossa. Materials and Methods:Total 300 skull were used for this study. The shape of foramen spinosum and diameter of it recorded with vernier calipers.Results: Foramen spinosum found as round shape in 58%, oval shape in 38% and irregular in 4%. The maximum diameter of foramen spinosum was 2.77+0.97mm and 2.03+0.56mm was minimum in females, in males maximum diameter was 2.95+0.56mm and 1.52+0.82mm as minimum. The knowledge of foramen spinosum is great helpful for neurosurgeons. Conclusion:The round shape was found in more number of skulls and very few were irregular shape. The knowledge of foramen spinosum help to cranial surgeons as it is transmitting middle meningeal artery.KEY WORLD: Foramen spinosum, Middle mengeal artery, dry skull, sphenoid bone.

Background: Nutrient artery is the major source of blood supply to long bones. This artery enters the shaft of the long bone through nutrient foramen. Vascular insults to the Ulna during fracture dislocation or during surgical correction of fracture may result in delayed healing or non-union of fracture.Materials and Methods: The present study was undertaken on 100 dry adult ulna bones of unknown sex (50 each of right and left sides) from Department of Anatomy, Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences, Gadag, Karnataka. The ulna bones were numbered using a marker pen. Using Hepburn's osteometric board, length of the bone was measured. The size and direction of the nutrient foramina was assessed using 19, 22 and 25 gauge hypodermic needles.Results: Among the total 100 ulna studied, 86 had single nutrient foramina, 13 had two nutrient foramina and 1 had three nutrient foramina. 59.13% of nutrient foramina were of medium sized and 20% were of large size. 85.22% of nutrient foramina were located in upper third of shaft of ulna; 12.17% in middle third and 2.61% in lower third. 1% of NF were directed horizontally, 2% lower oblique and remaining upper oblique. No correlation could be demonstrated between the length of ulna and number of nutrient foramina in the present study. Conclusion:The present study conducted on nutrient foramina of 100 dry adult ulna arrived at a conclusion that majority of nutrient foramina were located in the upper third of the shaft in anterior surface. The results of the present study are consistent with most similar studies. The knowledge of location, direction and number of nutrient foramen on shaft of ulna is of utmost importance to the Orthopaedicians and Oncologists.

Background: Pterion is defined as an H-shaped small circular area formed by the junction of four bones: frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid on norma lateralis of the skull, Pterion junction has been used as a common extra-cranial landmark for surgeons in microsurgical and surgical approaches towards important pathologies of this region. Pterion is an important landmark for anterior branch of middle meningeal artery, Broca's motor speech area to the left, insula, the lateral cerebral fissure, for the pathologies of optic nerve, orbit, sphenoidal ridge and for the anterior circulation aneurysm and tumors, because of its clinical importance we focused our present study on morphology of shape of pterion. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 pterions were examined from 250 adult dry skulls. The present study was undertaken in adult south Indian skulls from different regions of south India, from different medical colleges. We have observed different shapes of pterion like sphenoparietal frontotemporal, stellate and epipteric. Results: The sutural morphology of the pterion and asterion is important in surgical approaches to the cranial fossae. 250 human skulls of known gender (148 male, 102 female) were examined on both sides. Four types of pterion were observed-sphenoparietal 72.8%, frontotemporal 16.4%, stellate 8.8% and epipteric 2%. Conclusion: The pterion is points of sutural confluence seen in the norma lateralis of the skull. The patterns of formation exhibit population based variations. The sutural morphology of the pterion is important in surgical approaches to the cranial fossae. These findings may helpful in surgical approaches and interventions via the pterion.

Background:The asterion is the junction of the parietal, temporal and occipital bones. The asterion is a surgical landmark to the transverse sinus location which is of great importance in the surgical approaches to the posterior cranial fossa. The sutural morphology was classified into two types, Type I where a sutural bone was present and type II was where sutural bone was absent. The study of asterion may be helpful to ENT and Neurosurgeons. Materials and Methods:A total of 500 asterion were examined from 250 adult dry skulls. The present study was undertaken in adult south Indian skulls from different regions of south India, from different medical colleges. We have observed different types of asterion like Type I where a sutural bone was present and type II was where sutural bone was absent. Results:The sutural morphology of the asterion is important in surgical approaches to the cranial fossae. 250 human skulls of known gender (148 male, 102 female) were examined on both sides. Two types of asterion were observed -Type I was 18% in males, 20% in females and in total, Type II was 82% in males, 80% in females and 81% in total. Conclusion:Sutural morphology of the asterion in the Indian population does not differ much from that of other populations. These findings useful in surgical approaches and interventions via the asterion.

Lower subscapular nerves in studied population display a wide range of variations. Anesthesiologists administering local anesthetic blocks, clinicians interpreting effects of nerve injuries of the upper limb and surgeons operating in the axilla should be aware of these patterns to avoid in advertent injury.