Main Entry: foramen ova·le

Pronunciation: \-ō-ˈva-(ˌ)lē, -ˈvā-, -ˈvä-\

Function: noun

1 : an opening in the septum between the two atria of the heart that is normally present only in the fetus
2 : an oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid for passage of the mandibular nerve

[foramen ovale illustration]