View source for Foramen

{{short description|Enclosed gap within dense connective tissue (bones or deep fascia)}}
{{for|the star|Eta Carinae}}
{{wiktionary|foramen}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}}

In [[anatomy]] and [[osteology]], a  '''foramen''' ({{IPAc-en|f|ə|ˈ|r|eɪ|m|ən}};<ref>''[[OED]]'' 2nd edition, 1989.</ref><ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foramen Entry "foramen"] in ''[http://www.merriam-webster.com/ Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]''.</ref> {{plural form}}: '''foramina''', {{IPAc-en|f|ə|ˈ|r|æ|m|ᵻ|n|ə}} or '''foramens''' {{IPAc-en|f|ə|ˈ|r|eɪ|m|ən|z}}; {{ety|la||an opening produced by boring}}) is an opening or enclosed gap within the [[dense connective tissue]] ([[bone]]s and [[deep fascia]]e) of extant and extinct [[amniote]] [[animal]]s, typically to allow passage of [[nerves]], [[artery|arteries]], [[veins]] or other [[soft tissue]] structures (e.g. [[muscle]] [[tendon]]) from one body compartment to another.

==Skull==
{{expand section|date=October 2020}}
The [[skull]]s of [[vertebrates]] have foramina through which [[nerves]], [[arteries]], [[veins]], and other structures pass. The [[human skull]] has many foramina, collectively referred to as the cranial foramina.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cranial Foramina - Foramen Ovale - Skull - TeachMeAnatomy |url=https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/osteology/cranial-foramina/ |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=teachmeanatomy.info}}</ref>

==Spine==
{{main|Intervertebral foramina}}
{{expand section|date=October 2020}}
Within the [[vertebral column]] (spine) of vertebrates, including the [[Human vertebral column|human spine]], each bone has an opening at both its top and bottom to allow nerves, arteries, veins, etc. to pass through. 

==Other==
* [[Apical foramen]], the hole at the tip of the root of a tooth
* [[Foramen ovale (heart)]], a hole between the venous and arterial sides of the fetal heart
* [[Vertebra#Cervical vertebrae|Transverse foramen]], one of a pair of openings in each cervical vertebra, in which the vertebral artery travels
* [[Greater sciatic foramen]], a major foramen of the pelvis
* [[Interventricular foramina (neuroanatomy)|Interventricular foramina]], channels connecting ventricles in the brain
* [[Lesser sciatic foramen]], an opening between the pelvis and the posterior thigh
* [[Obturator foramen]], the hole created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis
* [[Omental foramen]], the connecting opening between the [[greater sac]] and the [[lesser sac]] in the [[abdominal cavity]].
* [[Sacrum|Sacral foramina]], which perforate the vertebral canal from the Sacrum (sacral bone), and through which the [[sacral nerve]]s pass.
* [[Vertebral foramen]], the foramen formed by the anterior segment (the body), and the posterior part, the vertebral arch.
* [[Foramen of Panizza]], a hole connecting two aortas just after they leave the heart in crocodiles.

==See also==
*[[Eta Carinae]]
*[[Fossa (disambiguation)]]
*[[Skeleton]]
*[[Foraminifera]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{set index article}}

[[Category:Animal anatomy]]