A STUDY ON INCIDENCE OF ZYGOMATICOFACIAL FORAMEN IN DRIED HUMAN SKULLS OF NORTH INDIAN POPULATION

Background: Zygomaticofacial foramen is present on the lateral surface of zygomatic arch near its orbital border. It transmits the Zygomaticofacial nerve and vessels. A significant amount of variation has been reported in the incidence of Zygomaticofacial foramen among different population due to the regional variance in anthropometry of humans.  

Objective: The main objective behind this study was to assess the differences in the incidence of Zygomaticofacial foramen in adult dried human skulls of North Indian population.

Methods: The study was carried out at Department of Anatomy, PGIMS Rohtak on 70 dried human skulls, out of which 44 skulls were of males and 26 skulls were of females. The zygomatic arch of skull was studied for the frequency variations of Zygomaticofacial foramen from no foramina to as many as four foramina.

Results: It was found that frequency of single and double foramina and absence of foramina was more in males, whereas frequency of triple and four foramina was more in females. Frequency of double and triple foramina was more on right side, whereas frequency of single and four foramina and absence of foramina was more on left side.   

Conclusion: The anatomical knowledge of the frequency variations of Zygomaticofacial foramen is essential for surgeons in various surgical procedures.