Foramen ovale is a surgically important aperture of the skull since it allows approach to and manipulation of the trigeminal ganglion as it lies in the Meckel’s cave. This transfacial approach, Hartel’s approach, requires two anatomical points for accurate cannulation; the zygomatic point and the pupil point. This study describes the morphology and location of foramen ovale and describes the pupil point in relation to the medial canthus in the Kenyan population. Department of Human Anatomy departmental review board approved the study. Two hundred dry skulls from the Department of Human Anatomy were studied using a digital calliper with help of a measuring frame. The results were analysed using SPSS version 20. The results showed the length and width of right foramen ovale was 7.69 mm mean (SD ±1.31) and 4.24 mm (±0.64) respectively while the left foramen ovale was 7.68 mm (±1.23) and 4.28 mm (±0.74). The distance of the zygomatic point from the external auditory meatus on the right was 23.54 mm (±2.26) and the left was 23.49 mm (±2.16). The median distances of the pupil point in relation to the medial canthus was 9.5mm on the right and 8.1 mm on the left. These results were significantly different from other population data. Neuronavigational aids to foramen ovale in Kenyans should take this into consideration.

KEY WORDS: Foramen ovale; Hartel’s procedure; Transfacial; Kenyans.