Cranial Nerve Skull Foramina

Question 1

cribriform plate

Answer 1

olfactory nerve bundles (CN I)

Question 2

optic canal

Answer 2

Optic Nerve (CN II)
Ophthalmic artery

Question 3

superior orbital fissure

Answer 3

• Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)
• Trochlear N (CN IV)
• Trigeminal N, ophthalmic branch (CN V,1) : lacrimal, frontal, nasociliary branches
• Abducens N (CN VI)
• Superior ophthalmic vein

Question 4

foramen rotundum

Answer 4

Trigeminal N., Maxillary branch (CN V,2)

Question 5

foramen ovale

Answer 5

Otic ganglion
V3
Accessory meningeal n.
Lesser petrosal n
Emissary vv.

Question 6

foramen spinosum

Answer 6

• middle meningeal a/v

- meningeal branch of mandibular n (CN V,3)

Question 7

foramen lacerum

Answer 7

greater petrosal nerve crosses this space

Question 8

carotid canal

Answer 8

• internal carotid artery

- internal carotid nerve plexus

Question 9

internal acoustic meatus

Answer 9

• Facial N (CN VII)
• Vestibulocochlear N (CN V VIII)
• labyrinthine a

Question 10

jugular foramen

Answer 10

• inferior petrosal venous sinus
• Glossopharyngeal N (CN IX)
• Vagus N (CN X)
• Accessory N (CN XI)
• sigmoid venous sinus
• posterior meningeal artery

Question 11

hypoglossal canal

Answer 11

• Hypoglossal N (CN XII)

Question 12

foramen magnum

Answer 12

• medulla oblongata
• meninges
• vertebral arteries
• meningeal branches of vertebral arteries
• spinal roots of accessory nerves