Cranial Fossae, Middle Cranial Fossa, Posterior Cranial Fossa Flashcards
The olfactory nerve exits the cranial vault via what opening?
cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone
What passes through the foramen cecum?
an emissary vein
What is the anterior boundary of the middle cranial fossa?
lesser wings, anterior clinoid process and sphenoidal jugum of sphenoid bone
What are the parts of the sella turcica?
anterior clinoid process, sphenoidal jugum, posterior clinoid process, dorsum sella, and hypophyseal fossa of sphenoid bone
What neuronal structure is located in front of the hypophysis cerebri or pitutary gland?
optic chiasmata
What are the contents of the optic canal?
the optic nerve and ophthalmic artery
What are the contents of the superior orbital fissure?
the ophthalmic veins, the oculomotor nerve, the trochlear nerve, the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve,and the abducent nerve
Which single opening will allow the exit of the greatest number of cranial nerves?
the superior orbital fissure
What are the contents of the foramen rotundum?
the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve Vb)
What will the foramen ovale communicate with?
the middle cranial fossa and the infratemporal region
What are the contents of the foramen ovale?
the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (Vc) and the lesser petrosal branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve
What will the foramen spinosum communicate with?
the middle cranial fossa and infratemporal region
What are the contents of the foramen spinosum?
the nervus spinosus from the madibular division of the trigeminal nerve and the middle meningeal artery
What bones converge to form the foramen lacerum?
the temporal, sphenoid, and occipital bones
What will the foramen lacreum communicate with in the living person?
it crosses between the parts of the middle cranial fossa; it is not a major exit from the skull as would be suggested by the dry skull
What are the contents of the hiatus for the greater (superficial) petrosal nerve?
the greater (superficial) petrosal nerve, a branch of the facial nerve?
What will the vidian canal/pterygoid canal communicate with?
the middle cranial fossa and pterygopalatine fossa
What opening allows a branch of the cranial nerve VII to enter the pterygopalatine fossa?
the vidian canal/pterygoid canal
What are the contents of the hiatus for the lesser petrosal nerve?
the lesser petrosal nerve, a branch of the tympanic plexus fromthe glossopharyngeal nerve
How will the lesser petrosal nerve typically exit the middle cranial fossa?
the foramen ovale
WHat will the foramen oval communicate with?
the middle cranial fossa and infratemporal region
What forms the roof the the posterior cranial fossa?
the tentorium cerebelli
What apart of the cerebrum occupies the posterior cranial fossa?
none; the tentorium cerebelli seperates the cerebrum into a space above the posterior cranial fossa
What part of the central nervous system occupies the posterior cranial fossa?
the cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata
What are the contents of the internal acoustic meatus?
cranial nerves VII (facial nerve) and VIII (vestibulocochlear/auditory nerve), the nervus intermedius/nerve of Wrisberg/sensory root of VII and the motor root of VII, the vestibular and cochlear roots of VIII and the internal auditory/internal labyrinthine artery and vein
What are the contents of the jugular foramen?
the jugular bulb, the inferior petrosal sinus, the tympanic body/tympanic glomus or jugular body/jugular glomus, cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus) and XI (spinal accessory)
What is the jugular bulb?
the venous expansion between the sigmoid dural venous sinus and the internal jugular vein
What is the function of the jugular body/jugular glomus?
a chemoreceptive organ that monitors hypoxia, hypercapnia and increases in the hydrogen ion
What will the hypoglossal canal communicate with?
the posterior cranial fossa and the neck
