Fossa navicularis: Anatomic variation at the skull base

The fossa navicularis is a relatively rare anatomic variation of the skull base. Awareness of its existence will avoid misinterpretations of radiological images and unnecessary investigations. This study describes the appearance of the fossa navicularis, and investigates its incidence and whether it...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2004, Vol.17 (2), p.118-122
Main Authors: Cankal, F., Ugur, H.C., Tekdemir, I., Elhan, A., Karahan, T., Sevim, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
anatomy
Bone Cysts - pathology
Female
fossa navicularis
Humans
Incidence
Male
Nasopharynx - anatomy & histology
Occipital Bone - anatomy & histology
pharynx
skull base
Skull Base - abnormalities
Skull Base - anatomy & histology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tornwaldt's cyst
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Summary:The fossa navicularis is a relatively rare anatomic variation of the skull base. Awareness of its existence will avoid misinterpretations of radiological images and unnecessary investigations. This study describes the appearance of the fossa navicularis, and investigates its incidence and whether it is related to pathology at the basiocciput. We studied 492 dry human skulls and 525 computer tomography (CT) images of patients. Dry skulls showing a fossa navicularis were investigated by CT scan, whereas patients identified as having a fossa navicularis were further examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To document the position of the fossa more precisely, measurements were made between the fossa navicularis and certain anatomic landmarks such as the foramen ovale, the pharyngeal tubercle, the posterior border of the vomer, the foramen lacerum, the carotid canal, and the occipital condyle. Upon examination, 26 of 492 skulls (5.3%) were found to have a fossa navicularis. Twelve were
ISSN:0897-3806
1098-2353
DOI:10.1002/ca.10191