There are multiple structures in the human body with the name foramen ovale (plural: foramina ovalia; Latin for "oval hole"):

• In the fetal heart, the foramen ovale (heart) is a shunt from the right to left atrium.

• At the base of the skull, the foramen ovale (skull) transmits the mandibular nerve, otic ganglion, accessory meningeal artery, and emissary veins.