Abstract:
Foramen ovale (FO) serves as an important landmark for neurosurgeons in the surgical
procedures of the trigeminal nerve. FO is the transition point between intracranial and
extracranial structures. The information about anatomical variations of foramen ovale have
surgical importance in different methods such as percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy, biopsy
of cavernous sinus tumour and anaesthesia of the mandibular nerve. FO variation is quite
rare. It is unknown by many researchers and clinicians. It is thought that divided FO
variations emerge as a result of the ossification of pterygospinous ligament. Clinicians must
know that such variation may occur in surgical operations on skull base.