Morphological and morphometric study of the "vermian fossa" in Indian human adult skulls

Introduction: The objective was to find incidence of "vermian fossa" of skull in Indian population and to study its morphology and morphometry. Materials and Methods: The present study included 35 specimens which comprised 20 cranial bases and 15 occipital bones. The inner aspects of posterior cranial fossa were examined to find the presence of the vermian fossa. The fossae were macroscopically classified as triangular (type 1) and quadrangular shapes (type 2) and atypical, i.e., than triangular or quadrangular (type 3). The length and width of the fossa were determined by using digital vernier caliper. Results: It was observed that the fossa was present in 25 specimens (71.4%). Its shape was triangular in 19 skulls (76%), quadrangular in 2 (8%) and atypical (type 3) in 4 (16%). The mean length and width of the fossa (± SD) were "13.6 ± 4.4 mm" and "11.9 ± 3.3 mm" respectively. Conclusion: The triangular morphology was observed in the overwhelming majority of the vermian fossae. We believe that the details about this bony landmark are of importance for neurosurgery and are also enlightening for neuroanatomy and neuroradiology.