Question

In man, the foramen magnum is
A. Dorsal
B. Lateral
C. Ventral
D. Anterior

Answer 1

Hint: Our brain is the central nervous system which helps the body to coordinate its parts. The various divisions in the brain control different functions. Thus their locations vary. The spinal cord is also part of the central nervous system.

Complete answer:
Foramen magnum is a connection between the brain and the spinal cord. It functions as a passage for the central nervous system. It is located in the occipital bone in the brain separating the brain and spinal cord.
The major function of the Foramen magnum is to coordinate the muscles, nerves, veins, arteries etc. with other parts of the body. It is located at the base of the brainstem (medulla oblongata).
This anteriorly located part of the brain is a large oval opening in the skull. It is an important feature in bipedal mammals.
It transmits vertebral arteries, anterior and posterior spinal arteries. The accessory nerves are also transmitted via foramen magnum in the skull.
There is occipital condyle on both sides of the foramen magnum. These get fused to form the first cervical vertebra. This vertebra is located on the neck immediately below the skull. There are 7 cervical vertebrae and 8 cervical nerves in our body. These are the circular rings lying in the neck and base of the skull.

So the answer is option D: Anterior.

Note: There are 22 bones in our skull. There are various openings in the skull called foramina/canals that give passage to various veins, arteries etc. There is a foramen magnum syndrome in which the patient has instability in body movements causing tumors in foramen magnum.