foramen

views updated May 08 2018

foramen A pore or opening. Applied to various openings, e.g. the pedicle foramen in Brachiopoda through which the pedicle emerges. In cephalopods (Cephalopoda) the term is applied to the opening in the septum through which the siphuncular cord passes.

foramen

views updated May 18 2018

foramen (fo-ray-men) n. (pl. foramina) an opening or hole, particularly in a bone. apical f. the small opening at the apex of a tooth. f. magnum a large hole in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes. f. ovale the opening between the two atria of the fetal heart, which allows blood to flow from the right to the left side of the heart by displacing a membranous valve.

foramen

views updated May 23 2018

foramen An aperture in an animal part or organ, especially one in a bone or cartilage. For example, the foramen magnum is the opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes.

foramen

views updated May 23 2018

foramen (anat.) opening for the passage of something. XVII. — L., f. forāre BORE1.