Int J Anat Res 2016, 4(2):2297-300. ISSN 2321-4287 2297 Original Research Article INCIDENCE AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CRANIO-ORBITAL FORAM EN IN TELANGANA REGION OF SOUTH INDIA. Supriya Garapati * 1 , Ch. Santhi 2 , P. Sharmila Bhanu 3 . ABSTRACT Address for Correspondence: Dr. Supriya Garapati, Associate professor, Department of anatomy, Narayana Medical College, Chinthareddy palem, Nellore, Andra Pradhesh 524003, India. E-M ail: garapati.supriya13@gmail.com Introduction: The cranio-orbital foramen is an osseous anatomical landmark located on the postero superior aspect of the lateral wall of the orbit. This foramen is also called as meningo orbital foramen. This bony canal not always present in human skull, when it is present it contains a branch from the middle meningeal artery, providing accessory blood supply to the orbit. It is a potential source of hemorrhage during surgical procedures of the lateral wall of the orbit because it is the location of an anastomosis between the lacrimal artery and the middle meningeal artery.The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, and number of cranio-orbital foramina in telangana population of india. M aterial & M ethods: In the present study, 100 adult human skulls were studied at Department of Anatomy of various medical colleges present in Telangana state of south India. Results: Among 100 skulls, we found cranio orbital foramen in 57 orbits (40skulls) in which 17 skulls have bilateral foramina and 23 were unilateral. Conclusion: With the knowledge of incidence of this foramen, surgeons and ophthomologists can avoid accidental hemorrhage during surgical procedures done on the lateral wall of the orbit. KEY W ORDS: Cranio Orbital Foramen, Superior Orbital Fissure, Orbit, Anastomoses, Haemorrhage. INTRODUCTION International Journal of Anatomy and Research, Int J Anat Res 2016, Vol 4(2):2297-300. ISSN 2321-4287 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2016.199 Access this Article online Quick Response code Web site: Received: 07 Apr 2016 Accepted: 09 M ay 2016 Peer Review: 07 Apr 2016 Published (O): 31 May 2016 Revised: None Published (P): 31 May 2016 International Journal of Anatomy and Research ISSN 2321-4287 www.ijmhr.org/ijar.htm DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2016.199 *1 Associate professor, Department of anatomy, Narayana medical college, Nellore, Andra Pradhesh, India. 2,3 Assistant professor, Department of anatomy, Narayana medical college, Nellore, Andra pradhesh, India. orbitale or lacrimal or ophtalmo-menigeal foramen. The incidence of the cranio-orbital foramen is variable in different reports [2- 4]. The recent literature revealed that position, incidence, and morphogenesis of cranio-orbital foramen are highly variable. Although older textbooks of basic anatomy suggested that it was a rare occurrence, some current data indi- cate a more frequent incidence of this foramen. The cranio-orbital foramen is an anatomical variant that occurs in approximately 60% of skulls (unilateral in 34% and bilateral in 27%). It creates an additional link between orbit and cranial cavity. The foramen may occur in the postero superior part of the lateral orbital wall or in the posterolateral part of the orbital roof [1]. This foramen is also known as meningo-