Historical skull illustrations: Parietal foramen

IntroductionAnatomical illustration has progressed historically to become a means of documentation. The representation of a particular anatomical structure in a drawing/painting meant the artist/anatomist was aware of its presence, position and relation to surrounding structures and can also be used as a primer for tracking the knowledge about such structure. Despite the detailed historical depictions of the skull, the parietal emissary foramen often went unillustrated.ObjectiveThis study focuses on the parietal foramen and its historical depiction.MethodsIt perused artistic illustrations of the skull to establish by whom and when this foramen was displayed. ResultsLocated in the posterior part of the parietal bone, the parietal foramen allows passage for the parietal emissary vein and other structures. Its presence varies among populations, which may explain its omission in some anatomical works. However, artists like Antonio de Pereda and anatomists like Bernhard Siegfried Albinus and John Bell did illustrate it. As other emissary foramina, the parietal emissary foramen has a role in helping regulate intracranial pressure and brain temperature. Its significance has increased throughout human evolution, particularly with the development of bipedalism and larger brain volumes. The foramen may also function as a path in the spread of infection and/or tumors. Recent studies using CT scans have emphasized the importance of recognizing the parietal foramen in imaging and surgical planning.ConclusionThis paper helps uncover part of the history of neuroanatomical illustration pertaining to the depiction of the parietal foramen and highlights its clinical and surgical importance.