foramen

Definition

A natural opening, perforation, or passage in a bone or other anatomical structure through which nerves, blood vessels, or other anatomical components pass.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'foramen' meaning 'hole' or 'aperture', which stems from the verb 'forare', meaning 'to bore' or 'to pierce'.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe holes in vertebrae that enlarged over time, serving as critical diagnostic evidence of spinal tumors that were eroding the bone.

Saber-toothed cats' spinal tumors may show how inbred species struggled to survive

Frontiers

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