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foramen magnum

American

[mag-nuhm] / ˈmæg nəm /

noun

Anatomy.

the large opening in the base of the skull forming the passage from the cranial cavity to the spinal canal.

foramen magnum British

noun

the large opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of foramen magnum

1880–85; < New Latin: literally, great hole

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Openings here include the large foramen magnum, plus the internal acoustic meatus, jugular foramina, and hypoglossal canals.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

On the base of the skull, the occipital bone contains the large opening of the foramen magnum, which allows for passage of the spinal cord as it exits the skull.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The vertebral arteries enter the cranium through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

On either side of the foramen magnum is an oval-shaped occipital condyle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The foramen magnum, occipital condyles, and exoccipitals show no unusual features.

From Systematic Status of a South American Frog, Allophryne ruthveni Gaige by Lynch, John D.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023