Foramina and other apertures of cranial fossae and contents
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This document lists the foramina and apertures found in the three cranial fossae and describes their contents. The anterior cranial fossa contains foramina for the nasal emissary vein, olfactory nerves, and vessels/nerves associated with the ethmoid bone. The middle cranial fossa contains optic canals, fissures, and foramina transmitting cranial nerves and vessels. The posterior cranial fossa transmits the medulla, vertebral arteries, cranial nerves, veins and arteries through openings like the foramen magnum and jugular foramen.
Foramina and other apertures of cranial fossae and contents
- 1. Foramina and other apertures of cranial fossae and contents Foramina/Apertures Contents Anterior cranial fossa Foramen cecum Nasal emissary vein (1% of population) Cribriform foramina in cribriform plate Axons of olfactory cells in olfactory epithelium that form olfactory nerves Anterior and posterior ethmoidal foramina Vessels and nerves with same names Middle cranial fossa Optic canals Optic nerves (CN II) Ophthalmic arteries Superior orbital fissure Ophthalmic veins Ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) CN III CN IV CN VI Sympathetic fibers Foramen rotundum Maxillary nerve (CN V2) Foramen ovale Mandibular nerve (CN V3) Accessory meningeal artery Foramen spinosum Middle meningeal artery & vein Meningeal branch of CN V3 Foramen laceruma Deep petrosal nerve Some meningeal arterial branches Small veins Groove or hiatus of greater petrosal nerve Greater petrosal nerve Petrosal branch of middle meningeal artery Posterior cranial fossa Foramen magnum Medulla & meninges, Vertebral arteries, CN XI, Dural veins, Anterior & posterior spinal arteries Jugular foramen CN IX, CN X, CN XI; Superior bulb of internal jugular vein; Inferior petrosal sinus Sigmoid sinus; Meningeal branches of ascending pharyngeal and occipital arteries Hypoglossal canal Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) Condylar canal Emissary vein that passes from sigmoid sinus to vertebral veins in neck Mastoid foramen Mastoid emissary vein from sigmoid sinus Meningeal branch of occipital artery a The internal carotid artery and its accompanying sympathetic and venous plexuses actually pass horizontally across (rather than vertically through) the area of the foramen lacerum, an artifact of dry crania, which is closed by cartilage in life.