Cranial nerves and their foramina/fossa

Question 1

CNI
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 1

olfactory nerve
cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone
anterior fossa

Question 2

CNII
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 2

optic nerve
optical canal
anterior fossa

Question 3

CN III
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 3

oculomotor nerve
superior orbital fissure
middle fossa

Question 4

CNIV
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 4

trochlear nerve
superior orbital fissure
middle fossa

Question 5

CN V
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 5

Trigeminal nerve
ophthalmic- superior orbital fissure
maxillary- foramen rotundum
mandibular- foramen ovale
middle fossa

Question 6

CNVI
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 6

abducens nerve
superior orbital fissure
middle fossa

Question 7

CNVII
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 7

facial nerve
internal acoustic meatus
posterior fossa

Question 8

CNVIII
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 8

vestibulocochlear nerve
internal acoustic meatus
posterior fossa

Question 9

CNIX
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 9

glossopharyngeal nerve
jugular foramen
posterior fossa

Question 10

CNX
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 10

vagus n.
jugular foramen
posterior fossa

Question 11

CNXI
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 11

accessory nerve
*originates in spinal cord, so goes to head through foramen magnum, and exits through jugular foramen
posterior fossa

Question 12

CNXII
name
foramen
fossa

Answer 12

hypoglossal nerve
hypoglossal canal
posterior fossa