Ostium vs Foramen - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between ostium and foramen

is that ostium is a small opening or orifice, as in a body organ or passage while foramen is an opening, an orifice; a short passage.

(ostia)

A small opening or orifice, as in a body organ or passage.

Any of the small openings or pores in a sponge.

(foramina)

(anatomy) an opening, an orifice; a short passage.

The skull contains a number of foramina through which arteries, veins, nerves, and other structures enter and exit.

* foramen magnum * foramen of Monro * foramen of Winslow * foramen ovale * foraminate

* * ----