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Foramen magnum facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
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Schematic of the foramen magnum
Human brain dura mater (reflections) description
An opened skull. The foramen magnum is the large hole in the center; labelled '13'

The foramen magnum is one of several holes in the base of the skull. Normally the spinal cord is attached to it. The Foramen Magnum is the largest aperture in the primate body. This hole is located in the base of the human skull as part of the occipital bone, back of the monkey skull and in between those locations for apes. It is directly correlated with locomotion ( Humans are bipedal, monkeys quadrupedal and apes are knuckle walkers. )

Images for kids

  • Medulla oblongata and foramen magnum animation small

    Skull seen from below. The hole through which the medulla (shown in red) is passing is foramen magnum.

  • Occipital bone Opisthion01

    Opisthion shown in red

  • Occipital bone Basion05

    Occipital bone inner surface (basion shown in red)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Foramen magno para niños

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Foramen magnum Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.