Dural Septation on the Inner Surface of the Jugular Foramen: An Anatomical Study

Abstract

IntroductionThe jugular foramen is a canal between the occipital bone and the inferior and medial portion of the petrous pyramid of the temporal bone. It is an important route for arterial, venous, and nervous structures through the base of the skull. The dura mater at the inner aperture of the foramen forms a distinct compartment for housing the various venous structures and cranial nerves (CNs). These dural relationships are of potential interest in surgical treatment of various intrinsic and extrinsic lesions including paragangliomas, nerve sheath tumors, meningiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, and other rare pathologic processes at the level of this foramen.Preserving lower CN function when operating on jugular foramen schwannomas is very difficult. At the entrance into the pars nervosa of the jugular foramen, the lower CNs penetrate a thin periosteal layer where they are wrapped with perineurium, making their identification difficult even Keywords ► skull base ► posterior fossa ► cranial anatomy ► meninges ► jugular foramen ► anatomy AbstractIntroduction Preserving cranial nerve (CN) function during tumor removal at the jugular foramen is challenging. No anatomical study has better defined the relevant dural septations on the inner surface of the jugular foramen. This study was undertaken to elucidate this anatomy. Methods Fourteen cadaveric heads (28 sides) were dissected, and relationships of the meningeal coverings of the jugular foramen and adjacent CNs documented. A classification scheme was created to better describe the dural septations of the inner surface of the jugular foramen. Results Four types of dural septations were noted. Type I: 10 sides (36%) where a dural septation was seen between CNs IX anteriorly and X and XI posteriorly. Of these, the septum was ossified in 20%. Type II (32%) was defined as a jugular foramen with no dural septation. Type III (7%) was defined as septation between CNs IX and X anteriorly and XI posteriorly. Type IV (7 sides, 25%) or the chaotic form was defined as multiple septations within the jugular foramen that housed and divided CN rootlets. Conclusions The dural septations defined here can be used in future studies to help correlate operative strategy to meningeal morphology within the jugular foramen.

Anatomical study of jugular foramen in the neck

“…This variation was not found in any of the cadavers we studied. Tubbs et al 18 found a meningeal septum separating the glossopharyngeal nerve from the vagal and accessory nerves in 36% of cases, and of these, 7.2% were ossified. We found a mean glossopharyngeal nerve diameter of 1.1 mm.…”

Variant Anatomy of the Jugular Foramen: An Osteological Study

“…[6,14] For foramina with partial septation, they may be completed in the living by a fibrous septum. [15] Compartmentation may have implications during surgical access to the lesions within the foramen. [16] The high frequency of septation calls for prudence during planning to ensure safe access and accurate interpretation of posterior cranial fossa radiographs.…”

Estudo Das Variações Anatômicas Do Nervo Isquiático E Sua Relação Com O Músculo Pirifome Em Universidades Públicas Do Estado Do Amazonas

“…(6,08 ± 0,21 mm). A média LL direita feminina foi menor (10,94 ± 0,36 mm) que o LL direito masculino (12,62 ± 0,27 mm (TUBBS, et al 2015).…”