title: Accessory spine of the foramen ovale.
abstract: The objective of this study was to provide morphometric analysis of an accessory  spine that was found within the lumen of the foramen ovale, as well as to  find out whether this structure could mechanically irritate the mandibular nerve.  A bifid spine was perceived in the macerated skull of an adult individual. It was  located in the anterior part of the left foramen ovale. The overall length of the  spine was found to be 1.8 mm. The spine had a homogenous structure, and  showed high levels of mineralisation. We conclude that the accessory spine did  not compress the mandibular nerve, and that the foramen ovale provided  enough space for passage of the nerve. In all likelihood, these structures remained  in anatomical accordance without causing any neurological symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Krakow, Poland. jskrzat@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skrzat
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walocha
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zawiliński
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035301:Cranial Fossa, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed