Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 16 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 31-38
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260904
Morphology and Frequency of Occurrence of Ossification of Pterygospinous Ligament in Dry Skulls: A Cross-Sectional Study with Clinical Significance and Phylogenetic Context
Urvi Dave1, Rajesh Astik2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Ananya College of Medicine and Research, Kalol,
Gujarat. 382721, India.
2Professor, Department of Anatomy, GMERS Medical College, Himmatnagar, Gujarat. 383001, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Rajesh Astik
ABSTRACT
Background: The pterygospinous ligament stretches from the spine of the sphenoid to the pterygospinous process. The ossification of this ligament creates a bony bridge that encloses the pterygospinous foramen, referred to as Civinini’s foramen. These bony modifications hold clinical significance owing to their relationship with the mandibular nerve and adjacent structures. This study was aimed at ascertaining the occurrence, laterality, and anatomical relationship of pterygospinous bars with the foramen ovale in dry adult human skulls.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 50 dry adult human skulls of unknown sex obtained from the Anatomy Department of the Ananya College of Medicine and Research, Gandhinagar; and from the GMERS Medical College, Himmatnagar, Gujarat. Skulls with damaged cranial bases were excluded. Every skull was carefully examined for the presence of either complete or incomplete pterygospinous bars. The side of the occurrence and the relation of the bar with the foramen ovale were observed. Photographic documentation was created, and the results have been compared with previous study data.
Results: Pterygospinous bars were identified in 5 of 50 skulls, resulting in a total prevalence of 10%. Complete ossification was observed in 2 skulls (4%) and incomplete ossification in 3 skulls (6%). All bars were unilateral, featuring 2 on the right and 3 on the left. No occurrences of bilateral cases were identified. In all the five skulls, the bar was located lateral to the foramen ovale.
Conclusion: The frequency of occurrence of pterygospinous ligament ossification in the present study aligns with findings from previous literature. Awareness of these variances may have potential clinical implications.
Key words: Pterygospinous ligament, Pterygospinous foramen, Civinini foramen, Mandibular nerve, Ossification, Skull base