Anatomy

Question 1

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 1

Cribriform plate Anterior Olfactory nerve (CN I)

Question 2

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 2

Optic canal Middle Ophthalmic artery, optic nerve (CN II)

Question 3

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 3

Superior orbital fissure Middle Superior ophthalmic vein, oculomotor nerve (CN III), trochlear nerve (CN IV), abducens nerve (CN VI), and ophthalmic division (CN V1) of trigeminal nerve

Question 4

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 4

Foramen rotundum Middle Maxillary division (CN V2) of trigeminal nerve

Question 5

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 5

Foramen ovale Middle Mandibular division (CN V3) of trigeminal nerve

Question 6

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 6

Foramen spinosum Middle Middle meningeal artery

Question 7

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 7

Internal acoustic meatus Posterior Facial nerve (CN VII), vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

Question 8

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 8

Jugular foramen Posterior Internal jugular vein, glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), vagus nerve (CN X), accessory nerve (CN XI exits the skull here)

Question 9

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 9

Hypoglossal canal Posterior Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Question 10

Foramina Fossae Contents

Answer 10

Foramen magnum Posterior Brain stem, accessory nerve (CN XI enters the skull here)

Question 11

Exit points of the divisions of the trigeminal nerve:

Answer 11

Standing Room Only
S = superior orbital fissure, where V1 exits
R = foramen rotundum, where V2 exits
O = foramen ovale, where V3 exits

Question 12

The middle meningeal artery runs inside the neurocranium, between the temporal bone of the skull and the dura mater of the brain. Direct trauma cuses?

Answer 12

Direct trauma to this weak point on the cranium can cause a fracture and risk rupturing the underlying middle meningeal artery and causing an intracranial bleed, specifically an epidural hematoma.

Question 13

Through what foramen does the accessory nerve exit?

Answer 13

The accessory nerve exits the neurocranium via the jugular foramen.
Note: although the accessory nerve ultimately exits the neurocranium via the jugular foramen, it does not originate in the neurocranium. The accessory nerve’s fibers originate in the spinal cord and climb superiorly to enter the neurocranium via the foramen magnum. The nerve then exits via the jugular foramen. That is why it is listed under both foramen magnum and jugular foramen.