Cranial Foramina

Question 1

Emissary Veins

Answer 1

veins which cross the skull to connect the intracranial sinuses to extracranial vessels

Question 2

Name the 3 Cranial Fossae

Answer 2

• Anterior Cranial Fossa
• Middle Cranial Fossa
• Posterior Cranial Fossa

Question 3

What 5 bones make up the endocranium of the cranial base?

Answer 3

Frontal
Ethmoid
Sphenoid
Temporal
Occipital

Question 4

Fissures

Answer 4

openings which are not entirely surrounded by bone structures

Question 5

Canals

Answer 5

openings which are longer than they are in diameter

Question 6

What parts of the brain sit in the Anterior Fossa?

Answer 6

Frontal Lobe of the Brain + Olfactory Bulb

Question 7

List the 2 Foramina in the Anterior Fossa of the Cranial Base

Answer 7

Foramen Caecum

Foramina of the Cribriform Plate

Question 8

List the 8 Foramen/Fissures/Canals in the Middle Fossa of the Cranial Base

Answer 8

• Optic Canal
• Superior Orbital Fissure
• Foramen Ovale
• Foramen Rotundum
• Foramen Spinosum
• Foramen Lacerum
• Foramen Petrosum (AKA Foramen of Arnold)
• Carotid Canal

Question 9

List the 4 Foramens/Canals of the Posterior Fossa of the Cranial Base

Answer 9

• Internal Acoustic Meatus
• Foramen Magnum
• Jugular Foramina
• Hypoglossal Canals

Question 10

Foramen through which the Emissary Vein runs from the Nose to the Superior Sagittal Sinus

Answer 10

Foramen Caecum

Question 11

Location of the Foramen Caecum

Answer 11

midsagittal plane where the frontal bone & ethmoid bone articulate

Question 12

2 Prominent Features of the Ethmoid Bone

Answer 12

Crista Galli

Cribriform Plate

Question 13

List the 12 Cranial Nerve Pairs in Order

Answer 13

I - Olfactory
II - Optic
III - Oculomotor
IV - Trochlear
V - Trigeminal
VI - Abducens
VII - Facial
VIII - Vestibulocochlear
IX - Glossopharyngeal
X - Vagus
XI - Accessory
XII - Hypoglossal

Question 14

CN I

Answer 14

Olfactory

(passes through Cribriform Plate of the ethmoid bone in the anterior fossa)

Question 15

CN II

Answer 15

Optic

(passes through the Optic Canal)

Question 16

CN III

Answer 16

Oculomotor

(passes through the Superior Orbital Fissure)

Question 17

CN IV

Answer 17

Trochlear

(passes through the Superior Orbital Fissure)

Question 18

CN V

Answer 18

Trigeminal

(Ophthalmic Branch passes through the Superior Orbital Fissure

Maxillary Branch passes through the Foramen Rotundum

Mandibular Branch passes through the Foramen Ovale)

Question 19

CN VI

Answer 19

Abducens

(passes through the Superior Orbital Fissure)

Question 20

CN VII

Answer 20

Facial

(passes through the Internal Acoustic Meatus)

Question 21

CN VIII

Answer 21

Vestibulocochlear (Acoustic)

(passes through the Internal Acoustic Meatus)

Question 22

CN IX

Answer 22

Glossopharyngeal

(passes through the Jugular Foramen)

Question 23

CN X

Answer 23

Vagus

(passes through the Jugular Foramen)

Question 24

CN XI

Answer 24

Accessory

(passes through the Jugular Foramen)

Question 25

CN XII

Answer 25

Hypoglossal (passes through the Hypoglossal Canal)

Question 26

What parts of the brain sit in the Middle Fossa?

Answer 26

Temporal Lobes & Pituitary Gland

Question 27

Foramen through which the Optic Nerve & Ophthalmic Artery run through

Answer 27

Optic Canal

Question 28

The Ophthalmic Veins and which Cranial Nerves all run through the Superior Orbital Fissure?

Answer 28

CN III - Oculomotor CN IV - Trochlear CN V (Ophthalmic Branch) - Trigeminal CN VI - Abducens Nerve

Question 29

Dirty Pneumonic to Remember the 12 Cranial Nerves

Answer 29

Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel A Girls Vagina And Heaven Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Acoustic (Vestibulocochlear), Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal

Question 30

Which nerve, artery and vein pass through the Foramen Spinosum?

Answer 30

- Middle Meningeal Artery - Middle Meningeal Vein - Meningeal Branch of the Mandibular Nerve (branch of CN V)

Question 31

What passes through the Carotid Canal along with the Carotid Artery?

Answer 31

Deep Petrosal Nerve

Question 32

Does the Foramen Lacerum have anything running through it?

Answer 32

Not really, it fills w/ cartilaginous tissue after birth

Question 33

What parts of the brain sit in the Posterior Fossa?

Answer 33

Brainstem & Cerebellum

Question 34

In addition to the Facial and Vestibulocochlear Nerves, what artery and ganglion are also found in the Internal Acoustic Meatus?

Answer 34

Labyrinthine Artery Vestibular Ganglion

Question 35

What arteries pass through the foramen magnum?

Answer 35

Anterior & Posterior Spinal Arteries Vertebral Arteries

Question 36

Chiari Malformation

Answer 36

occurs when the cerebellar tonsils descend through the foramen magnum due to congenital structural defects or increased intracranial pressure (i.e. hydrocephalus). This condition causes compression of the spinal cord as well.

Question 37

Which 3 Cranial Nerves pass through the Jugular Foramen with the Inferior Jugular Vein?

Answer 37

CN IX - XI (Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory)

Question 38

Greater Petrosal Nerve passes through the _______ _______.

Answer 38

Foramen Lacerum

Question 39

Lesser Petrosal Nerve passes through the _______ _______.

Answer 39

Foramen Ovale