foramen

[ fuh-rey-muh n ]
/ fəˈreɪ mən /

noun, plural fo·ram·i·na [fuh-ram-uh-nuh] /fəˈræm ə nə/.

an opening, orifice, or short passage, as in a bone or in the integument of the ovule of a plant.

Origin of foramen

1665–75; < Latin forāmen hole, opening, equivalent to forā(re) to bore2 “pierce” + -men resultative noun suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM foramen

fo·ram·i·nal [fuh-ram-uh-nl] /fəˈræm ə nl/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for foramina

British Dictionary definitions for foramina

foramen
/ (fɒˈreɪmɛn) /

noun plural -ramina (-ˈræmɪnə) or -ramens

a natural hole, esp one in a bone through which nerves and blood vessels pass

Derived forms of foramen

foraminal (fɒˈræmɪnəl), adjective

Word Origin for foramen

C17: from Latin, from forāre to bore, pierce

Medical definitions for foramina (1 of 2)

foramina
[ fə-rămə-nə ]

n.

A plural offoramen

Medical definitions for foramina (2 of 2)

foramen
[ fə-rāmən ]

n. pl. fo•ra•mens

An aperture or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure.

Other words from foramen

fo•rami•nal (-rămə-nəl) null adj.

Scientific definitions for foramina

foramen
[ fə-rāmən ]

Plural foramina (fə-rămə-nə) foramens

An opening or short passage, especially in the body.♦ The large opening in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes is called the foramen magnum (măgnəm).♦ The opening in the septum between the right and left atria of the heart, present in the fetus but usually closed soon after birth, is the foramen ovale (ō-vălē, -vālē, -vä-).