Mastoid foramen

 ( Foramina Of The Skull ) 

The mastoid foramen is a hole in the posterior border of the temporal bone. It transmits an emissary vein between the sigmoid sinus and the suboccipital venous plexus, and a small branch of the occipital artery, the posterior meningeal artery to the dura mater.

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Structure The mastoid foramen is a hole in the posterior border of the temporal bone of the skull.

The opening of the mastoid foramen is an average of 18 mm from the asterion, and around 34 mm from the external auditory meatus. It is typically very narrow. This may be around 2 mm.

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Variation The position and size of this foramen are very variable. It is not always present. Sometimes, it is duplicated on one side or both sides. Sometimes, it is situated in the occipital bone, or in the Cranial sutures between the temporal bone and the occipital bone.

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Function

The mastoid foramen transmits:

• an Emissary veins between the sigmoid sinus and the suboccipital venous plexus or the posterior auricular vein.
• a small branch of the occipital artery, the posterior meningeal artery, to the dura mater.

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External links

• Akram Abood Jaffar: Personal website, Anatomical variations

Categories: Foramina Of The Skull, Otorhinolaryngology, Human Head And Neck, Skull

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