Surgical Importance of the Morphometry of the Anterior Clinoid Process, Optic Strut, Caroticoclinoid Foramen, and Interclinoid Osseous Bridge

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the morphometry of the anterior clinoid process (ACP), optic strut (OS), caroticoclinoid foramen, and interclinoid osseous bridge in skulls of Turkish adults. Measurements were taken from 34 dry skulls of unknown age and sex. The overall means, and associated standard deviations, of the distances measured are: basal width of the ACP at the medial margin of the optic canal (OC) 12.4±2.1 mm; from the anterior clinoid tip (ACT) to the base of the ACP 11.5±1.9 mm; from the ACT to the posterior margin of the OS 6.9±1.6 mm; thickness of the ACP 4.3±1.2 mm; from the ACT to the junction of the medial edge of the ACP and the posterolateral edge of the OC roof 8.9±1.6 mm; from the ACT to the center point of the posterior edge of the OC roof 11.4±1.7 mm; from the ACT to the lateral end of the superior orbital fissure 23.7±3.9 mm; from the ACT to the anterior edge of the OS base 8.6±1.7 mm; from the ACT to the posterior edge of the OS base 6.5±1.5 mm; from the ACT to the posterior clinoid process 10.6±2.4 mm; between the ACTs 25.8±2.7 mm. In addition, the presence of a caroticoclinoid process and interclinoid bridge was identified and the types were classified. Knowledge of the morphometry of the parasellar and suprasellar regions is extremely important for neurosurgeons.