contents of cranial fossa

• the fossa found in the anterior Cranial Fossa are: foramen Cecum, Cribform foramina of the cribform plate and the anterior and posterior Ethmoidal Foramina
• foramen cecum has the Nasal Emissary Vein
• ethmoidal foramina transmit olfactory nerves from nose to brain
• anterior and posterior ethmodial foramina transmit same name vessels and nerves
• middle cranial fossa has the: optic canal, superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum, foramen lacerum, groove or hiatus of Greater petrosal nerve
• Optic Canals This foramen contains the optic nerves (CNII) and ophthalmic arteries.
• Superior Orbital Fissure This aperture contains the ophthalmic veins, ophthalmic nerve (CNV1), cranial nerves III, IV, VI, and sympathetic fibers.
• Foramen Rotundum This foramen contains the maxillary nerve (CNV2)
• Foramen Ovale This foramen contains the mandibular nerve (CNV3) and accessory meningeal artery.
• Foramen Spinosum This foramen contains the middle meningeal artery and vein, and the meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve (CNV3).
• Foramen Lacerum This foramen contains the deep petrosal nerve, as well as some meningeal arterial branches and small veins.
• Groove or Hiatus of Greater Petrosal Nerve This groove contains the greater petrosal nerve and the petrosal branch of the middle meningeal artery.
• the posterior cranial fosaa has the: the formamen magnum, jugular foramen, hypoglossal canal, condylar canal, mastoid foramen
• Foramen Magnum This foramen contains the medulla and meninges, vertebral arteries, cranial nerve XI (CNXI), dural veins, anterior and posterior spinal arteries.
• 1. Jugular Foramen This foramen contains cranial nerves IX, X, XI, the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein, inferior petrosal and sigmoid sinuses, and meningeal branches of the ascending pharyngeal and occipital arteries.
• Hypoglossal Canal This canal contains the hypoglossal nerve (CNXII).
• Condylar Canal This canal contains an emissary vein that passes from the sigmoid sinus to the vertebral veins in the neck
• 1. Mastoid Foramen This foramen contains the mastoid emissary vein from the sigmoid sinus and the meningeal branch of the occipital artery.