Foramen
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In anatomy, a foramen (/fəˈreɪmən/;[1][2] pl. foramina, /fəˈræmɪnə/) is any opening. Foramina inside the body of humans and other animals typically allow muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, or other structures to connect one part of the body with another.
Contents
1 Skull
2 Spine
3 Other
4 See also
5 References
Skull
The skulls of vertebrates (including humans) have foramina through which nerves, arteries, veins and other structures pass.
Spine
Within the vertebral column (spine) of vertebrates, including the human spine, each bone has an opening at both its top and bottom to allow nerves, arteries, veins, etc. to pass through.
Other
Apical foramen, the hole at the tip of the root of a tooth
Foramen ovale (heart), a hole between the venous and arterial sides of the fetal heart
Transverse foramen, one of a pair of openings in each cervical vertebra, in which the vertebral artery travels
Greater sciatic foramen, a major foramen of the pelvis
Interventricular foramina, channels connecting ventricles in the brain
Lesser sciatic foramen, an opening between the pelvis and the posterior thigh
Obturator foramen, the hole created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis
Sacral foramina, which perforate the vertebral canal from the Sacrum (sacral bone), and through which the sacral nerves pass.
Vertebral foramen, the foramen formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch.
Foramen of Panizza, a hole connecting two aortas just after they leave the heart in crocodiles.
See also
- Eta Carinae
- Fossa (disambiguation)
- Skeleton
- Foraminifera
References
^ OED 2nd edition, 1989.
^ Entry "foramen" in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
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