Foramen of Skull

Question 1

Cribiform plate

Answer 1

A. CN I (olfactory nerve) fibers

Question 2

Foramen cecum

Answer 2

A. Emissary vein from nasal cavity to superior sagittal sinus

Question 3

Posterior ethmoidal foramen

Answer 3

A. Posterior ethmoidal nerve, artery & vein

Question 4

Anterior ethmoidal foramen

Answer 4

A. Anterior ethmoidal nerve, artery & vein

Question 5

Sphenopalatine foramen

Answer 5

A. Sphenopalatine artery & vein
--1. Posterior lateral nasal branches
--2. Posterior septal branches
B. Nasopalatine nerve (from CN V2)
C. Posterior lateral nasal nerves (from CN V2)

Question 6

Optic canal

Answer 6

A. CN II (optic nerve)
B. Ophthalmic artery
C. Sympathetic fibers from internal carotid plexus

Question 7

Superior orbital fissure

Answer 7

A. CN III (oculomotor nerve)
B. CN IV (trochlear nerve)
C. CN V1 (ophthalmic nerve – 1st branch of trigeminal nerve) D. CN VI (abducens nerve)
E. Superior ophthalmic vein
F. Lacrimal artery
G. Sympathetic fibers from internal carotid plexus

Question 8

Inferior orbital fissure

Answer 8

A. Infraorbital nerve (from CN V2)
B. Infraorbital artery & vein
C. Zygomatic nerve (from CN V2)
–1. Zygomaticotemporal nerve, artery & vein
–2. Zygomaticofacial nerve, artery & vein

Question 9

Supraorbital foramen or notch

Answer 9

A. Supraorbital nerve, artery & vein

Question 10

Infraorbital foramen

Answer 10

A. Infraorbital nerve, artery & vein

Question 11

Zygomaticotemporal foramen

Answer 11

A. Zygomaticotemporal nerve (from CN V2) emerges from here onto temple`

Question 12

Alveolar canal

Answer 12

A. Posterior superior alveolar nerve (from CN V2)

B. Posterior superior alveolar artery & vein

Question 13

Foramen rotundum

Answer 13

A. CN V2 (maxillary nerve – 2nd branch of trigeminal nerve)

Question 14

Foramen ovale

Answer 14

A. CN V3 (mandibular nerve – 3rd branch of trigeminal nerve)

B. Accessory meningeal artery

Question 15

Internal acoustic (auditory) meatus

Answer 15

A. CN VII (facial nerve)
B. CN VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve)
C. Labyrinthine (internal auditory) artery

Question 16

External acoustic (auditory) meatus

Answer 16

A. Tympanic membrane (blocks entrance to middle ear cavity)

Question 17

External acoustic (auditory) meatus

Answer 17

A. Tympanic membrane (blocks entrance to middle ear cavity)

Question 18

Groove for pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube

Answer 18

A. Cartilaginous portion of auditory (Eustachian) tube (post./med. to foramen ovale)

Question 19

Stylomastoid foramen

Answer 19

A. CN VII (facial nerve)

Question 20

Facial canal (opens into stylomastoid foramen)

Answer 20

A. CN VII (facial nerve)

Question 21

Petrotympanic fissure

Answer 21

A. Chorda tympani nerve (from CN VII)

B. Anterior tympanic artery & vein

Question 22

Hiatus for greater petrosal nerve

Answer 22

A. Greater petrosal nerve (from CN VII)

Question 23

Hiatus for lesser petrosal nerve

Answer 23

A. Lesser petrosal nerve (from CN IX)

Question 24

Jugular foramen

Answer 24

A. CN IX (glossopharyngeal nerve)
B. CN X (vagus nerve)
C. CN XI (accessory nerve or spinal accessory nerve)
D. Internal jugular vein (jugular bulb)

Question 25

Hypoglossal canal

Answer 25

A. CN XII (hypoglossal nerve)

Question 26

Carotid canal

Answer 26

A. Internal carotid artery | B. Sympathetic (carotid) plexus of nerves from internal carotid nerve

Question 27

Foramen lacerum

Answer 27

A. Largely filled with fibrocartilage | B. Internal carotid artery runs above it to enter cranial vault

Question 28

Pterygomaxillary fissure

Answer 28

A. Terminal branches of maxillary artery & veins

Question 29

Pterygopalatine fossa

Answer 29

A. Pterygopalatine ganglion B. CN V2 (maxillary nerve) C. Branches of maxillary artery & veins

Question 30

Pterygoid canal

Answer 30

A. Nerve (Vidian) of pterygoid canal --1. Formed by union of greater petrosal & deep petrosal nerves) B. Pterygoid branch of maxillary artery

Question 31

Pharyngeal canal

Answer 31

A. Pharyngeal nerve (from CN V2) | B. Pharyngeal branches of maxillary artery & veins

Question 32

Palatine canal

Answer 32

``` A. Greater palatine nerve (from CN V2) B. Lesser palatine nerve (from CN V2) C. Descending palatine artery & vein --1. Greater palatine artery & vein --2. Lesser palatine artery & vein ```

Question 33

Greater palatine foramen

Answer 33

A. Greater palatine nerve, artery & vein

Question 34

Incisive foramen

Answer 34

A. Nasopalatine nerve B. Branches of sphenopalatine artery & vein C. Branches of greater palatine artery & vein (anastomose with sphenopalatine branches)

Question 35

Foramen spinosum

Answer 35

A. Middle meningeal artery | B. Meningeal branch of CN V3 (mandibular nerve)

Question 36

Foramen magnum

Answer 36

A. Spinal cord & meninges B. Ascending rootlets of CN XI (accessory nerve) C. Vertebral arteries D. Anterior & posterior spinal arteries

Question 37

Condyloid canal

Answer 37

A. Emissary veins from superficial veins of skull to sigmoid sinus

Question 38

Mandibular foramen

Answer 38

A. Inferior alveolar nerve, artery & vein (from CN V3)

Question 39

Mental foramen

Answer 39

A. Mental nerve (from CN V3)