Foramen rotundum
Foramen rotundum
Definition
The foramen rotundum, found in dogs and horses, is located on the ventral surface of the rostral edge of the wing of the basisphenoid bone, above the orbital fissure. It connects the cranial cavity and the pterygopalatine fossa, and allows the maxillary nerve to pass through.
Horses also have an isolated trochlear canal, located dorsolateral to the orbital fissure, through which the trochlear nerve passes.
In ruminants and pigs, all these orifices merge into the orbitorotundum foramen.
References
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature. 3rd Edition. Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques. Tome 1. Ostéologie. 5th Edition. MaxiPrim, Pertuis, 2020.
