Cranial Fossae
This fossa houses the frontal lobes of the brain.
What is the anterior cranial fossa?
The optic nerve (CN II) passes through this canal.
What is the optic canal?
This structure passes over, not through, the foramen lacerum.
What is the internal carotid artery?
The posterior cranial fossa is primarily formed by these two bones.
What are the occipital and temporal bones?
The jugular foramen transmits these three cranial nerves.
What are CN IX, CN X, and CN XI?
The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) passes through these two openings.
What are the foramen magnum and jugular foramen?
This fossa contains the sella turcica, which holds the pituitary gland.
What is the middle cranial fossa?
This foramen transmits the mandibular nerve (CN V3).
What is the foramen ovale?
The cribriform plate transmits these sensory fibers.
What are olfactory nerve fibers (CN I)?