Metoptic Canal and Warwick’s Foramen: Incidence and Morphometric Analysis by Several Reference Points in the Human Orbit

Abstract

Objective: Several canals and foramens in the human orbit are well known in the literature. However, little is known about some minor canals or structures including metoptic canal and Warwick's foramen. The aim of the present study was to make morphometric measurements and to determine the incidence of the metoptic canal and Warwick's foramen in the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: Ninety-two dried human skulls were examined. All skulls were obtained from the Turkish population and collection of the Anatomy Department of the Akdeniz University. The metoptic canal and Warwick's foramen were identified in the skulls. Incidence of these structures and diameters were determined. Morphometric measurements were made using various reference points in the orbit. Results: Of the 92 dry human skulls, the metoptic canal was detected in 20 of them. This canal was detected unilaterally. The metoptic canal was observed in 11 (11.9%) dry skulls in the right side, whereas it was observed in 9 (9.7%) dry skulls in the left side. There were no statistically significant differences according to the side for any of the measurements recorded (p>0.05). The Warwick's foramen was observed in 12 (13.0%) skulls of all dry skulls. This foramen was also present unilaterally and was right sided in 7 (7.6%) skulls and left sided in 5 (5.4%) skulls. Conclusion: Determination of additional foramen in the orbit is contributed to the literature. The presence of the metoptic canal and Warwick's foramen and their relationship with other structures in the orbit may have clinical significance in surgical operations.