Ossification of the petrosphenoid ligament - a case study.

The current study presents a case in which a human skull revealed a partially ossified petrosphenoid ligament. The ossified ligament appears as a hooked bony trabecula emerging below the right posterior clinoid process. Another bony trabecula arises from the petrous apex and runs towards the clivus. Both trabecula face each other but do not fuse, having a small gap between their tips. Their positions clearly indicate that they must have formed an overhang above the abducens nerve. Therefore, they should be considered a part of the walls of Dorello's canal, which is a conduit for the abducens nerve and associated vascular structures.