Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-31-2017

Publication Title

Cureus

Keywords

anatomy; clivus; computed tomography; fossa navicularis; histology; notochord; occipital bone

Abstract

The fossa navicularis (FN) is an anatomical variant on the ventral surface of the basilar part of the occipital bone that, to date, has only been investigated in bone specimens. We aim to clarify the structure of the fossa navicularis by gross anatomical, radiological, and histological methods. The FN was found in the occipital bone of the Caucasian male cadaver. There was no bony or histological continuity between the FN and posterior cranial fossa. The histological analysis found that the overlying tissue was composed of loose connective tissue with a mixture of collagen and elastic fibers and a vascular matrix including arteries, veins, and capillaries. There was no evidence of lymphoid, glandular, or notochordal tissues. As no previous studies have performed histological analysis of the FN, this report adds to our knowledge of tissues that are involved in its formation.

Clinical Institute

Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)

Department

Neurosciences

Department

Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

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