Background: Foramen magnum (FM) is a clinically important landmark present at the skull base due to its close association with brain stem and spinal cord. The FM dimensions are necessary because the structures passing through it may be compressed in cases of FM meningioma, FM achondroplasia and FM herniation, additionally as also required to determine some malformations such as Arnold Chiari syndrome, which shows expansion of transverse diameter. Aim: To evaluate the various shapes of FM in dry human skulls of Malwa region Indian population. Materials and methods: A total 150 (86 male and 64 female) dry skulls of adult human being were studied. Anteroposterior diameters (APD) and transverse diameters (TD) of foramen magnum FM were calculated using vernier caliper and shapes were visually assessed. Additionally, the area and index of foramen magnum (FMI) were also calculated using formulae (FM =APD/TD). Results: The average anteroposterior diameter and transverse diameter of FM were 33.92±2.39mm and 29.90±2.33mm respectively. The average area and FMI were calculated as 796.96±84.73mm2 and 1.13±0.168respectively. The incidence of the morphological types of FM were noted as anoval shape of FM was commonly seen (55.3%). This was followed by round (14.0%), egg shaped (12.7%), tetragonal (9.3%), pentagonal (4.0%), hexagonal (2.7%), and irregular (2.0%). Conclusion: Our study results will serve as an aid to neurosurgeons in evaluating the morphology of carnio-vertebral junction in lateral transcondylar surgical proceduresin case of lesions in the middle and posterior part of cranial base. Our findings are also informative for the anatomists, radiologists, orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist, forensic experts and anthropologists.