title: Morphological study of fossa ovalis and its clinical relevance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been implicated in the etiology of a number of different pathologies, including cryptogenic stroke, decompression sickness in divers, etc. It can act as a channel for paradoxical embolism. PFO is not an uncommon condition, with a probe-patency in 15-35% population. The fossa ovalis (FOv) varies in size and shape from heart to heart; the prominence of annulus FOv also varies. The entire FOv may be redundant and aneurysmal. The anatomico-functional characterization of interatrial septum seems to be of paramount importance for both atrial septal defect (ASD) and PFO, not only for the device selection, but also for the evaluation of the outcome of this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in 50 apparently normal hearts available in Department of Anatomy. After opening the right atrium, the shape of FOv was observed. The size was measured with the digital vernier caliper; the prominence and extent of limbus, and the redundancy or otherwise of FOv were noted; probe patency was confirmed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the majority, FOv was oval (82%); average transverse diameter was 14.53mm and vertical 12.60mm. In 90%, the rim of the annulus was raised; in 20%, a recess was found deep to the margin of the annulus; and 18% showed probe patency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As no study of this nature has been carried out in the Indian population, this provides pertinent information on the morphology of FOv, which may be useful for device selection in treating ASD and PFO.
authors.affiliation: Dean and Professor, Department of Anatomy, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute, Indore 453555, India. Electronic address: sdjoshi_2003@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Demonstrator, Department of Anatomy, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute, Indore 453555, India.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Chawre
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute, Indore 453555, India.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D054087:Atrial Septum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000379:methods*; D054085:Foramen Ovale / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values
keywords: Fossa ovalis; Interatrial septum; Patent foramen ovale; Probe patency; Trans esophageal echocardiography