Cranial foramina

Question 1

Foramen ovale

Answer 1

Otic ganglion
V3 (Mandibular nerve:3rd branch of
trigeminal)
Accessory meningeal artery
Lesser petrosal nerve
Emissary veins

(OVALE)

Question 2

Foramen spinosum

Answer 2

Middle meningeal artery
Meningeal branch of the Mandibular nerve

Question 3

Foramen rotundum

Answer 3

Maxillary nerve (V2)

Question 4

Foramen lacerum/carotid canal

Answer 4

Base of the medial pterygoid plate.
Internal carotid artery*
Nerve and artery of the pterygoid canal

Question 5

Jugular foramen

Answer 5

Anterior: inferior petrosal sinus
Intermediate: glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves.
Posterior: sigmoid sinus (becoming the internal jugular vein) and some meningeal branches from the occipital and ascending pharyngeal arteries.

Question 6

Foramen magnum

Answer 6

Anterior and posterior spinal arteries
Vertebral arteries
Medulla oblongata

Question 7

Stylomastoid foramen

Answer 7

Stylomastoid artery
Facial nerve

Question 8

Superior orbital fissure

Answer 8

Oculomotor nerve (III)
Recurrent meningeal artery
Trochlear nerve (IV)
Lacrimal, frontal and nasociliary branches of opthalmic nerve (V1)
Abducent nerve (VI)
Superior ophthalmic vein