Skull Foramina and Structures Transmitted

Question 1

Cribriform Plate

Answer 1

CN 1 (Olfactory) Fibers

Question 2

Foramen Cecum

Answer 2

Emissary vein from nasal cavity of superior sagittal sinus

Question 3

Anterior Ethmoid Foramen

Answer 3

Anterior Ethmoidal nerve, artery, vein

Question 4

Posterior Ethmoid Foramen

Answer 4

Posterior Ethmoidal nerve, artery, vein

Question 5

Sphenopalatine Foramen

Answer 5

1. Sphenopalatine artery and vein
   * posterior lateral nasal and posterior septal branches
2. Nasopalatine nerve (From CN V2)
3. Posterior Lateral Nasal Nerves (From CN V2)

Question 6

Optic Canal

Answer 6

1. CN II
2. Ophthalmic Artery
3. Sympathetic Fibers from internal carotid plexus

Question 7

Superior Orbital Fissure

Answer 7

1. CN III
2. CN IV
3. CN V1 (ophthalmic branch)
4. CN VI
5. Superior Ophthalmic vein
6. Lacrimal Artery
7. Sympathetic fibers from internal carotid plexus

Question 8

Inferior Orbital Fissure

Answer 8

1. Infraorbital nerve (from CN V2)
2. Infraorbital artery and vein
3. Zygomatic Nerve (from CN V2)
   * zygomaticotemporal n., a., v.
   * zygomaticofacial n., a., v.

Question 9

Supraorbital Foramen/Notch

Answer 9

Supraorbital n., a., v.

Question 10

Infraorbital Foramen

Answer 10

Infraorbital n., a., v.

Question 11

Zygomaticotemporal Foramen

Answer 11

Zygomaticotemporal nerve (from CN V2) - from here onto temple

Question 12

Zygomaticofacial Foramen

Answer 12

Zygomaticofacial nerve (from CN V2) - from here onto face

Question 13

Alveolar Canal

Answer 13

1. Posterior Superior Alveolar Nerve (from CN V2)

2. Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery and Vein

Question 14

Foramen Rotundum

Answer 14

CN V2 - Maxillary nerve

Question 15

Foramen Ovale

Answer 15

CN V3 - Mandibular Nerve

Question 16

Internal Acoustic Meatus

Answer 16

1. CN VII
2. CN VIII
3. Labyrinthine (internal auditory) artery

Question 17

External Acoustic Meatus

Answer 17

Tympanic Membrane

Question 18

Groove for Pharyngotympanic (auditory) Tube

Answer 18

Cartilaginous portion of auditory tube

Question 19

Stylomastoid Foramen

Answer 19

CN VII - Facial Nerve

Question 20

Facial Canal

Answer 20

*Opens into stylomastoid foramen

CN VII - Facial

Question 21

Petrotympanic Membrane

Answer 21

1. Chorda Tympani (from CN VII)

2. Anterior Tympanic artery and vein

Question 22

Hiatus for Greater Petrosal Nerve

Answer 22

Greater Petrosal Nerve (from CN VII)

Question 23

Hiatus for Lesser Petrosal Nerve

Answer 23

Lesser Petrosal Nerve (CN IX)

Question 24

Jugular Foramen

Answer 24

1. CN IX - glossopharyngeal
2. CN X - Vagus
3. CN XI - Accessory
4. Internal Jugular Vein (jugular bulb)

Question 25

Hypoglossal Canal

Answer 25

CN XII - hypoglossal nerve

Question 26

Carotid Canal

Answer 26

1. Internal Carotid Artery | 2. Sympathetic (carotid) plexus of nerves from internal carotid nerve

Question 27

Foramen Lacerum

Answer 27

Filled with fibrocartilage plug | *Internal Carotid Artery runs above it to enter cranial vault*

Question 28

Pterygomaxillary Fissure

Answer 28

Terminal Branches of Maxillary Artery and Veins

Question 29

Pterygopalatine Fossa

Answer 29

1. Pterygopalatine ganglion 2. CN V2 (maxillary) 3. Branches of Maxillary Artery and Vein

Question 30

Pterygoid Canal

Answer 30

1. Nerve (Vidian) of pterygoid canal - formed by union of greater petrosal and deep petrosal nerves 2. Pterygoid branch of maxillary artery

Question 31

Pharyngeal Canal

Answer 31

1. Pharyngeal Nerve (from CN V2) | 2. Pharyngeal branches of Maxillary artery and veins

Question 32

Palatine Canal

Answer 32

1. Greater Palatine Nerve (from CN V2) 2. Lesser Palatine Nerve (from CN V2) 3. Descending Palatine artery and vein Greater and Lesser Palatine artery and vein

Question 33

Greater Palatine Foramen

Answer 33

1. Greater Palatine Nerve, artery, vein | 2. Lesser Palatine artery and vein

Question 34

Lesser Palatine Foramen

Answer 34

Lesser Palatine nerve

Question 35

Incisive Foramen

Answer 35

1. Nasopalatine nerve 2. Branches of Sphenopalatine artery and vein 3. Branches of Greater palatine artery and vein (anastomose with sphenopalatine branches)

Question 36

Foramen Spinosum

Answer 36

1. Middle Meningeal Artery | 2. Meningeal Branch of CN V3 (mandibular)

Question 37

Foramen Magnum

Answer 37

1. Spinal Cord and Meninges 2. Ascending Rootlets of CN XI 3. Vertebral Arteries 4. Anterior and posterior Spinal arteries

Question 38

Condyloid Canal

Answer 38

Emissary veins from superficial veins of skull to sigmoid sinus

Question 39

Mandibular Foramen

Answer 39

Inferior Alveolar artery, vein, and nerve (from CN V3)

Question 40

Mental Foramen

Answer 40

Mental Nerve (from CN V3)