Foramina of the skull

From Ganfyd

Foramina of the skull
System:
Function:
Origin:
Branches:	{{{branches}}}
Insertion:
Arterial supply:
Venous drainage:
Lymphatic drainage:
Innervation:
Vertebral levels:
Search for Foramina of the skull in Gray's.

Various holes, or foramina are found in the base of the skull. It is traditional in medical teaching to be able to recognise these and name the structures that traverse them.

Foramen Caecum

• for transmission of small vein from nasal mucosa to superior sagital sinus

Optic Canal

• Optic nerve
• Ophthalmic artery

Superior orbital fissure

• Nerves
  • lacrimal nerve
  • frontal nerve
  • trochlear nerve
  • occulomotor nerve
  • nasociliary nerve
  • abducent nerve
• Superior ophthalmic vein

Foramen rotundum

• maxillary nerve

Foramen ovale

• trigeminal nerve / maxillary nerve
  • large sensory root
  • small motor root
• lesser petrosal nerve
• accessory meningeal artery

Foramen Spinosum

• middle meningeal artery
• meningeal branch of mandibular nerve

Foramen Lacerum

• filled by cartilage
• greater petrosal nerve

Carotid Canal

• internal carotid artery

Foramen magnum

• Medulla oblongata
• ascending parts of spinal accessory nerves
• vertebral arteries

Hypoglossal Canal

• Hypoglossal nerve

Jugular Foramen

• inferior petrosal sinus
• Glossopharyngeal nerve
• Vagus
• Accessory nerve
• sigmoid sinus

Internal acoustic meatus

• vestibulocochlear nerve
• motor and sensory roots of facial nerve