SKULL AND NEUROVASCULATURE Flashcards
What structures pass through the superior orbital fissure?
Cranial nerves III, IV, V3 and VI.
As well as the superior ophthalmic vein.
What structures pass through the optic canal?
The optic nerve (CN II) and the ophthalmic artery.
The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve exits the skull from the foramen _________. It functions as a communication between the middle cranial fossa (MCF) and the ____________________ fossa.
Foramen rotundum;
Pterygopalatine fossa
The foramen _______ is a communication between the MCF and ____________ fossa. The mandibular division of trigeminal nerve (V3) passes through this.
Foramen ovale;
Infratemporal fossa
In a living person the foramen ________ is covered over with cartilage. It is a communication between the MCF and carotid canal. What structures pass through it?
Foramen lacerum;
Internal carotid artery and Greater Petrosal Nerve (CN VII)
The ________ ________ is a passage within the petrous temporal bone in the MCF. It lies anterior to the jugular fossa and is superior to the foramen lacerum. What structure passes through it?
Carotid canal;
Internal carotid artery
What structure enters the skull through the foramen spinosum. What occurs if it ruptures?
Middle Meningeal artery which is a branch of the maxillary artery. A rupture of this artery leads to an epidural hematoma, marked by dark, biconvex, fluid-filled spaces in a radiograph. The spaces are contained by sutures of the skull bones.
What landmark is a connection between the posterior cranial fossa and the inner ear? What structures pass through this?
Internal Auditory (acoustic) meatus; Facial (CN VII) and Vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) nerves
What structures pass through the skull from the jugular foramen? Why is a tumor here so life-threatening?
Glossopharyngeal, Vagus and Accessory (CNs 9-11) and the internal jugular vein pass through the jugular foramen.
A tumor here can compress these nerves which have vital functions such as monitoring of heart rate and breathing.
The Hypoglossal canal is a communication between the PCF and the ____. It houses the _________ nerve.
Neck; Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
The foramen magnum is a large opening in the skull to connect the PCF with the ___________ ________. What structures pass through this?
Vertebral canal;
Spinal cord and vertebral arteries
The inferior orbital fissure is a communication between the MCF and the ________________ fossa. What structures pass through it?
Pterygopalatine fossa;
Infraorbital nerve, inferior ophthalmic vein and inferior orbital artery pass through this fissure.
Define the Infratemporal fossa.
This is a region of the skull that is a passage to the oral cavity. It is located below the zygomatic arch and is lateral to the pterygopalatine fossa.
Describe the location of the pterygopalatine fossa.
This communicates with the infratemporal fossa (ITF) through the pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF). It is located between the sphenoid and maxilla bones.
