foramen ovale
noun
foramen ova·le
| \ -ō-ˈva-lē
, -ˈvä-, -ˈvā-\
, -ˈvä-, -ˈvā-\
Definition of foramen ovale
1
: an opening in the septum between the two atria of the heart that is normally present only in the fetus
During fetal life, this small tunnel, the foramen ovale, allows blood to bypass the lungs … . Yet in as many as 10 percent of people, physicians now estimate, the hole remains open, or patent.— Richard Saltus
2
: an oval opening in the greater wing of the cranial sphenoid bone for passage of a nerve supplying the mouth and jaw
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More Definitions for foramen ovale
foramen ovale
noun
foramen ova·le
| \ -ō-ˈva-(ˌ)lē
, -ˈvā-
, -ˈvä-
\
, -ˈvā-
, -ˈvä-
\
Medical Definition of foramen ovale
1
: an opening in the septum between the two atria of the heart that is normally present only in the fetus
2
: an oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid for passage of the mandibular nerve