Abstract

Pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments at the base of skull, sometimes, might get ossified leading to the formation of complete or incomplete bony bars in relation to foramen ovale. These are of clinical importance because if the ossified bar obliterates the foramen ovale causing mandibular neuralgia, it might pose problems in performing thermocoagulation and anaesthesia for trigeminal neuralgia. Because of these factors the anatomy of these bony bars is of grave significance. Aims and objectives: The present study is undertaken to evaluate the incidence, clinical relevance and phylogenic significance of ossified pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments in the skulls of Indian population. Methodology: A total of 100 dry human skulls of Indian were collected irrespective of age and sex, base of the skull was studied for location of pterygospinous and pterygoalar ligaments (right, left or bilateral), the degree of ossification (complete or incomplete) and relation of the bar to foramen ovale (medial, lateral, across) Results: The incidence of pterygospinous and pterygoalar bars in our study is 10% and 6% respectively. The pterygospinous bar was most commonly seen to cross the foramen inferiorly and in few cases was medial to the foramen ovale. Conclusion: The presence of the pterygospinous and pterygoalar bars can lead to variety of neurovascular entrapment syndrome and also pose difficulty in surgical approaches to the base of skull. Hence the anatomical knowledge of these osseous bars is essential for clinicians.

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