1. Introduction
The medial end of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone forms the Anterior Clinoid Process (ACP), which provides attachment to the free margin of the tentorium cerebelli and is grooved medially by the internal carotid artery [1,2,3]. ACP is connected to the Middle Clinoid Process (MCP) by the Caroticoclinoid Ligament (CCL), which is sometimes ossified. The presence of bony ligamentous structures is observed frequently in different regions of the human body causing clinical problems by pressing neighboring structures and leading to complications during regional surgery. Some parts of sphenoid bone are found to be attached by ligaments, which later on get ossified like pterygospinous ligament, interclinoid ligament (between ACP and PCP), and the CCL (between ACP and MCP) [4,5,6,7]. The Caroticoclinoid Foramen (CCF) is either due to ossification of CCL or dural fold present between ACP and MCP of sphenoid bone [8, 9]. The fibrous ossification of ligaments is considered a normal physiological process that occurs with aging; however, this process is an exception when one considers the formation of the CCF [8]. 
Keyes reported the prevalence of three types of anatomical variations of CCF in the human dry skull: the complete type, showing a bony ring or foramen; the contact type, presenting a line or suture connecting ACP and  MCP; and incomplete type, where a bony extension is present between ACP and MCP medially which does not touch each other [10] (Figure 1).




Because of its location in the skull, these characteristic features lead to clinical implications, which are of great significance to neuroanatomy and neurosurgeons.
The ICA is commonly reported to have six segments [2]. The portion of the artery traversing between the proximal and distal dural rings is known as the clinoid segment which is exposed during surgical removal of the ACP. It is critically important for neurosurgeons to know about the ossification of the CCL for safe surgical exposure of suprasellar and parasellar regions for many lesions like jugum sphenoidale, clinoidal, and tuberculum sellae meningiomas, paraclinoidal aneurysms, and cavernous sinus tumors in neurosurgical operations. However, the anatomical variations and relationships of the ACP, optic nerve, optic chiasma, ICA, and ophthalmic artery are very important and complex, as this region is affected by many neoplastic and neurovascular tissues. The removal of ACP is an important step in exposing the structures in the cavernous sinus and is highly complicated due to the neuronal and vascular relationships. The presence of the bony CCF makes the surgical removal of ACP more critical and complicated, especially during an aneurysm of ICA [11,12,13]. However, a paucity of studies exists about the ethnic variants of the morphology and anatomical relationships of bony landmarks for neurosurgeons. The sellar region has been an area of confusion among surgeons, because of variable morphology and anatomical relationship to vital structures. Despite several anatomical, clinical, and radiological studies, this case report tries to explore and increase the success of diagnostic evaluation with a more in-depth understanding of the skull-based surgical approach of this region by neurosurgeons.
This study aimed to focus on CCL variations and evaluate its occurrence in a dry skull, as well as to perform its morphometry.

2. Case report
The present study reported a bilateral completely ossified CCL in a dry skull of a woman obtained from the Department of Anatomy and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan City, Iran (Figure 2).




The incidence of a complete bony fibrous ligament in the dry human skull was observed between ACP and PCP. All appropriate morphometric measurements were performed by using a manual caliper and measuring the major diameter of each foramen. The measurements were performed 3 times to avoid errors by the same examiner by considering the repeated values. The measurements were obtained in millimeters. The transverse diameter of the foramen on both sides of the skull was 10 mm and the length of the bony bar distance between anterior and posterior clinoid processes was 14 mm in this case. The interclinoid distance between the two anterior clinoid processes was found to be 25 mm and between the two posterior clinoid processes was 18 mm. Caroticoclinoid foramen was also found bilaterally between the ACP  and middle clinoid process (Figure 2).

3. Discussion
This study tried to define a safer anatomical plan for approaches in clinical implications and problems such as compression of neighboring structures and complications, which are of great significance for neurosurgeons in regional surgery. The ossification of CCL produces CCF that connects the anterior and middle clinoid processes and appears as age increases [2]. Others have reported that CCF ossification is not age-related [8]. Moreover, the formation of this foramen may cause compression and narrowing of the internal carotid artery, located medially to the ACP [4]. Changes in the internal carotid artery may cause compression of the cavernous sinus because of its medial position. Das et al. reported that the presence of the CCF causes morphological changes in the internal carotid artery in almost all cases. These variations occur due to the presence of foramen, which causes difficulty in performing a neurosurgical technique in the region [14].
ICA is commonly reported to have 6 segments, and the segment traversing between the proximal and distal end of dural rings is known as the clinoidal segment [2]. During surgical operation and the exposure of clinoidal segment of ICA, the excision of ACP  is mandatory. When exposure of the cavernous sinus is carried out superiorly for managing paraclinoidal aneurysm, ACP is excised. The incidence of CCF causes serious complications resulting in a higher possibility of serious bleeding in this region [9, 10, 15]. Moreover, the prevalence of this foramen which is located medial to ACP causes pressure, leading to narrowing of ICA [4]. This incidence may cause pressure on the cavernous sinus, which is situated medially. Das et al. observed in almost all cases that the CCF leads to morphological changes in ICA. 
ICA was measured bilaterally indicating great caliber in this portion, showing signs of headache caused by compression and pressure of this foramen.
The choice of surgery is to remove ACP. The present study and Erturk et al. measured CCF diameter and demonstrated that this foramen could result in complications in ICA. In the present study, the transverse diameter of the foramen on both sides of the skull was 10 mm and the length of the bony bar distance was 14 mm in this case. This morphometric feature is crucial for fewer complications and can contribute to better surgical planning and outcome. In light of rapid progress in endoscopic surgery, the awareness of population differences in CCF morphometry is essential for safe surgical maneuvers while using novel procedures and approaches. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a morphological assessment of the CCF between anterior and posterior clinoid processes in Iranian adult dry skull. Therefore, the growing awareness of population differences in anatomical landmarks in the skull base can support the diagnosis and treatment of clinical complications related to the parasellar region.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
 There was no ethical consideration to be considered in this research. 
Funding
This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors. 
Authors' contributions
 Conceptualization: Masoud Ghorbani; Methodology: Gholam Reza Dashti; Investigation: Both authors; Writing-review & editing: Gholam Reza Dashti; 
Conflict of interest
The authors stated no conflicts of interest.