Phrase guide

foramen magnum

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The large foramen, or hole, in the occipital bone for the passage of the medulla oblongata and its membranes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: anatomy, medicine, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the large opening at the base of the cranium through which the spinal cord passes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: foramen, hiatus

History

Etymology

From Latin forāmen magnum (“big hole”).

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hungarian: öreglyuk — large foramen in the occipital bone
  • Japanese: 大後頭孔 (dai-kōtō-kō) — large foramen in the occipital bone
  • Polish: otwór wielki — large foramen in the occipital bone
  • Swedish: stora nackhålet — large foramen in the occipital bone