Human Anatomy 1996

Principal Foramina of the Skull

I. Anterior Cranial Fossa:

Cribiform Plate-Olfactory nerves (CN I)

Optic Canal-Optic nerve (CN II), Ophthalmic artery

II. Mid. Cranial Fossa:

Superior Orbital Fissure-Oculomotor, Trochlear, & Abducens nerves (CN III, IV, VI),ophthalmic division of Trigeminal nerve (CN V), Superior ophthalmic vein

Foramen Rotundum-Maxillary division of Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Foramen Ovale Mandibular division of Trigeminal nerve (CN V) (contains motor division), Lesser Petrosal n. (from CN IX), Accessory meningeal artery

Foramen Spinosum-Middle meningeal artery

Foramen Lacerum-Internal Carotid artery (the greater and deep petrosal nerves pass across, but not through it)

III. Posterior Cranial Fossa:

Carotid Canal-Internal Carotid artery, Sympathetic plexus

Internal Acoustic Meatus-Facial and Vestibulocochlear nerves (CN VII & VIII), Nervous intermedius

Jugular Foramen-Inferior petrosal nerve; sigmoid sinuses, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, & Accessory nerves (CN IX, X, XI)

Hypoglossal Canal-Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Foramen Magnum-Spinal cord its meninges, spinal arteries & veins, Vertebral arteries, spinal portion of the Accessory nerve (CN XI)