89 Summer & Autumn 2020, Volume 17, Number 2 Case Report: Ossifcation of Caroticoclinoid Ligament in a Human Skull Masoud Ghorbani 1 , Gholam Reza Dashti 2 * 1. Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. * Corresponding Author: Gholam Reza Dashti Address: Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Tel: +98 (31) 37929040 E-mail: dashti@med.mui.ac.ir A B S T R A C T Keywords: Caroticoclinoid ligament, Skull, Internal carotid, Bone ossifcation Introduction: The Anterior clinoid process (ACP) and middle clinoid process (MCP) are sometimes connected by an osseous bridge formed by the ossifcation of caroticoclinoid ligament (CCL), converting the disal end of the carotid sulcus into an osium called the caroticoclinoid foramen (CCF). The internal carotid artery (ICA) passes through this foramen, which is developed due to the ossifcation of either the caroticoclinoid ligament or a dural fold present between anterior and middle clinoid processes and occasionally connecting poserior clinoid process (PCP) of the sphenoid bone. The presence of a bony CCF may compress ICA, leading to clinical implications by increasing the risks of ischemic and neurological disorders during surgical access by neurosurgeons. It may also afect the hypothalamus or induce neurological problems by compressing optic or oculomotor nerves, causing hormonal imbalances, visual problems, headache, behavioral changes, etc. Regarding the clinical signifcance of CCF, this sudy aimed to evaluate the anatomical relationship and morphology of the CCF to plan a safe and successful surgery on the middle cranial fossa. Methods: The presence of ossifed CCL was noticed in a dry human skull. The morphometry was performed by a manual caliper, and the detailed measurements of the CCL, CCF, ACP, and MCP dimensions were performed and recorded. Results: Considering these facts, detailed anatomical knowledge of this region is of clinical importance for neurosurgeons, neurophysicians, endocrinologiss, and radiologiss for radiological evaluations of the CCL and its treatment in the middle cranial fossa. Conclusion: The growing awareness of diferences in anatomical landmarks in the skull base can support the diagnosis and treatment of clinical complications related to the parasellar region. Article info: Received: 24 Dec 2018 Accepted: 12 Apr 2020 Available Online: 01 Jul 2020 Citation Ghorbani M, Dashti GhR. Ossifcation of Caroticoclinoid Ligament in a Human Skull. Anatomical Sciences. 2020; 17(2):89-92. Use your device to scan and read the artcle online