View source for Structures in the Cranial Fossae

<div class="WPC-editableContent"><h3>Structures in the Cranial Fossae </h3><br/><b>A) Foramen cecum</b><br/><ul><li>Is a small pit in front of the crista galli between the ethmoid and frontal bones.</li><li>May transmit an emissary vein from the nasal mucosa and the frontal sinus to the superior sagittal sinus.</li></ul><b>B) Crista galli<br/></b><ul><li>Is the triangular midline process of the ethmoid bone extending upward from the cribriform plate.</li><li>Provides attachment for the falx cerebri.</li></ul><b>C) Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone</b><br/><ul><li>Is perforated by 15 to 20 foramina, supports the olfactory bulb, and transmits olfactory nerves from the olfactory mucosa to the olfactory bulb.</li></ul><b>D) Anterior clinoid processes</b><br/><ul><li>Are two anterior processes of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone, which are located in the middle cranial fossa.</li><li>Provide attachment for the free border of the tentorium cerebelli.</li></ul><b>E) Middle clinoid process</b><br/><ul><li>Is a small inconstant eminence on the body of the sphenoid, posterolateral to the tuberculum sellae.</li></ul><b>F) Posterior clinoid processes</b><br/><ul><li>Are two tubercles from each side of the dorsum sellae.</li><li>Provide attachment for the attached border of the tentorium cerebelli.</li></ul><b>G) Lesser wing of the sphenoid bone</b><br/><ul><li>Forms the anterior boundary of the middle cranial fossa.</li><li>Forms the sphenoidal ridge separating the anterior from the middle cranial fossa.</li><li>Forms the boundary of the superior orbital fissure (the space between the lesser and greater wings).</li></ul><b>H) Greater wing of the sphenoid bone</b><br/><ul><li>Forms the anterior wall and the floor of the middle cranial fossa.</li><li>Presents several openings: the foramen rotundum, foramen ovale , and foramen spinosum.</li></ul><b>I) Sella turcica (Turk's saddle) of the sphenoid bone</b><br/><ul><li>Is bounded anteriorly by the tuberculum sellae and posteriorly by the dorsum sellae.</li><li>Has a deep central depression known as the hypophyseal fossa , which accommodates the pituitary gland or the hypophysis.</li><li>Lies directly above the sphenoid sinus located within the body of the sphenoid bone; its dural roof is formed by the diaphragma sellae.</li></ul><b>J) Jugum sphenoidale</b><br/><ul><li>Is a portion of the body of the sphenoid bone connecting the two lesser wings, and forms the roof for the sphenoidal air sinus.</li></ul><b>K) Clivus</b><br/><ul><li>Is the downward sloping surface from the dorsum sellae to the foramen magnum.</li><li>Is formed by a part of the body of the sphenoid and a portion of the basilar part of the occipital bone.</li></ul><br/><br/>◄.....[[Gross Anatomy|Go    back to   the Gross Anatomy homepage]]<br/></div>