Investigation of the Presence and Distribution of Dural Septum in the Jugular Foramen: An Autopsy Based Study

Abstract

This study investigated the distribution of dural septum configurations within the jugular foramen and evaluated their relationship with age and sex. Skull base photographs obtained from autopsies performed at the Tokat Forensic Medicine Branch Directorate between March 2021 and March 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases with poor image quality were excluded from the study. The final study population consisted of 197 individuals (147 males and 50 females). Dural septa of the jugular foramen were categorized according to their anatomical configuration, and their frequencies were analyzed with respect to sex and age groups. Four different dural septum configurations were identified. Type I was the most prevalent pattern (36.0% on the right, 35.5% on the left). Type II was observed in 30.5% of right-sided and 29.4% of left-sided cases. Type III was the least common configuration (8.6% right, 9.6% left). Type IV was observed in 24.9% of right and 25.4% of left jugular foramina. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that increasing age was independently associated with Type IV configuration, whereas no independent association with sex or side was observed after adjustment. The findings provide detailed anatomical data regarding dural septum variations of the jugular foramen and may serve as a useful reference for skull base surgery, neurosurgical procedures, and anatomical investigations.