Foramina of the skull Flashcards
What are the foramina located in the anterior cranial fossa?
Cribiform plate of the ethmoid
What are the contents of the cribiform plate?
Olfactory nerve [I]
What are the foramina located in the middle cranial fossa?
- Optic canal
- Superior orbital fissure
- Foramen rotundum
- Foramen ovale
- Foramen spinosum
- Foramen lacerum
- Carotid canal
What are the contents of the optic canal?
Nerves: Optic nerve [II]
Arteries: Opthalmic artery
What are the contents of the superior orbital fissure?
Nerves:
- Opthalmic division of trigeminal [V1]
- Oculomotor nerve [III]
- Trochlear nerve [IV]
- Abducent nerve [VI]
Blood vessels: Superior opthalmic vein
What are the contents of the foramen rotundum?
Maxillary division of trigeminal [V2]
What are the contents of the foramen ovale?
Mandibular division of trigeminal [V3]
What are the contents of the foramen spinosum?
Middle meningeal artery
What are the contents of the foramen lacerum?
Filled with cartilage
What are the contents of the carotid canal?
Internal carotid artery
What are the foramina located in the posterior cranial fossa?
- Internal acoustic meatus
- Jugular foramen
- Foramen magnum
- Hypoglossal canal
What are the contents of the internal acoustic meatus?
Nerves:
- Facial nerve [VII]
- Vestibulocochlear nerve [VIII]
Blood vessels: Labrynthine artery & vein
What are the contents of the jugular foramen?
Nerves:
- Glossopharyngeal nerve [IX]
- Vagus nerve [X]
- Accessory nerve [XI]
Blood vessels: Internal jugular vein
What are the contents of the foramen magnum?
Nerves:
- Spinal cord
- Spinal roots of accessory nerve
Blood supply: Vertebral arteries
What are the contents of the hypoglossal canal?
Hypoglossal nerve [XII]
