tables from skele

• Openings in the Posterior Cranial Fossa

  • Foramen magnum
  • Hypoglossal canal
  • Jugular foramen
  • Internal acoustic meatus
• Hypoglossal canal transmits the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
• Openings in the Middle Cranial Fossa

  • Optic canal
  • Superior orbital fissure
  • Foramen rotundum
  • Foramen ovale
  • Foramen spinosum
  • Foramen lacerum
  • Carotid canal
• Superior orbital fissure transmits the oculomotor nerve (CN III), trochlear nerve (CN IV), lacrimal, frontal and nasociliary nerves (CN V1), abducent nerve (CN VI), and the superior ophthalmic vein
• Foramen rotundum transmits the maxillary nerve (CN V2)
• Foramen ovale transmits the mandibular nerve (CN V3) and the lesser petrosal nerve
• Bones of the Anterior Cranial Fossa


  • Frontal
  • Ethmoid
• Parts of the Brain Lodged in each Cranial Fossa

  • Anterior Fossa: Frontal Lobe
  • Middle Fossa: Temporal Lobe
  • Posterior Fossa: Cerebellum, Pons, Medulla oblongata