Skull Foramina
Anterior Cranial FossaOrbital plate of the frontal bone,
Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, lesser wing of the sphenoid
bone and anterior clinoid processForamina in the cribriform plate1.
Olfactory nerve (I) filaments2. Anterior ethmoidal nerve (branch of
V1)
Middle Cranial FossaBody of the sphenoid (sella turnica +
posterior clinoid process), greater wing of the sphenoid, anterior
surface of petrous temporal bone and squamous part of the temporal
bone.Optic canal (found in sphenoid bone between the body and
lesser wing)1. Optic nerve (II)2. Opthalmic artery
Superior orbital fissure (between the lesser and greater wings
of the sphenoid)1. Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (V), Opthalmic
branch of trigeminal (V2) and Abducens (VI)2. Orbital branch of
middle meningeal artery3. Superior opthalmic vein
Foramen rotundum (dorsal to SOF in greater wing of sphenoid)1.
Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve (V2)
Foramen Ovale (Dorsal to F. rotundum in greater wing of
sphenoid)1. Mandibular branch of trigeminal (V3)2. Lesser petrosal
nerve3. Accessory meningeal artery
Foramen Spinosum (lateral of F. ovale in greater wing of
sphenoid)1. Middle meningeal arteries2. Meningeal branch of V3
Foramen Lacerum (between sphenoid bone and apex of petrous
temporal bone)1. Internal carotid artery2. Greater petrosal nerve3.
Pterygoid canal nerve4. Meningeal branch of ascending pharyngeal
artery
Posterior Cranial FossaInternal Acoustic Meatus (posterior
surface of petrous temporal bone)1. Facial Nerve (VII),
Vestibulocochlear (VIII)2. Labyrinthine artery
Jugular Foramen (between jugular fossa of petrous temporal bone
and occipital bone)1. Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X) and
Accessory (XI)2. Meningeal branches of vagus nerve3. Inferior
petrosal sinus4. Internal jugular vein5. Meningeal branch of the
occipital artery
