[GROUP 1: Structure]
- The foramen ovale is an opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
- It is one of two cranial foramina in the greater wing, along with the foramen spinosum.
- The foramen ovale is located posterolateral to the foramen rotundum and anteromedial to the foramen spinosum.
- It is posterior and medial to the opening for the carotid canal.
- The foramen ovale serves as a passage for various structures, including the mandibular nerve, accessory meningeal artery, lesser petrosal nerve, emissary vein, and occasionally the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve.

[GROUP 2: Contents]
- The mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve, passes through the foramen ovale.
- The accessory meningeal artery also passes through this opening.
- The lesser petrosal nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve, traverses the foramen ovale.
- An emissary vein connects the cavernous sinus with the pterygoid plexus through this foramen.
- Sometimes, the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve can also be found passing through the foramen ovale.

[GROUP 3: Variation]
- In a study conducted on 100 skulls, it was found that the foramen ovale was divided into 2 or 3 components in 4.5% of the cases.
- Some skulls showed irregular and rough borders of the foramen, suggesting possible morbid changes based on radiological images.
- The length of the foramen ovale is about 3.85 mm in newborns and 7.2 mm in adults.
- The average maximal length in adults is about 7.48 mm, while the average minimal length is 4.17 mm.
- The width of the foramen ranges from 1.81 mm in newborns to 3.7 mm in adults.

[GROUP 4: Development]
- The shape and size of the foramen ovale change throughout life, similar to other foramina.
- In a study using over 350 skulls, the earliest formation of a perfect ring-shaped foramen ovale was observed in the 7th month of fetal life.
- The latest formation of this shape was observed in individuals up to 3 years old.

[GROUP 5: Clinical significance]
- The foramen ovale is used as an entry point into the skull for Percutaneous Rhizotomy procedures to treat trigeminal neuralgia.
- It is also used to surgically place local electrodes on the surface of the mesial temporal lobe to observe neural activity in patients with suspected focal epilepsy.
- The name 'foramen ovale' comes from the Latin words for 'oval hole' or 'window.'
- This anatomical structure has been described in Gray's Anatomy, a widely used reference book.
- Various research studies have been conducted to investigate the morphology, morphometry, and anatomical variations of the foramen ovale.