Cranial Nerve Foramina Part I: A Review of the Anatomy and Pathology of Cranial Nerve Foramina of the Anterior and Middle Fossa.

Cureus. 2018 Feb 8;10(2):e2172. doi: 10.7759/cureus.2172.

Edwards B, Wang JM, Iwanaga J, Loukas M, Tubbs RS.

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Abstract

Cranial nerve foramina are integral exits from the confines of the skull. Despite their significance in cranial nerve pathologies, there has been no comprehensive anatomical review of these structures. Owing to the extensive nature of this topic, Part I of our review, presented here, focuses on the foramina of the anterior and middle cranial fossae, discussing each foramen's shape, orientation, size, surrounding structures, and structures that traverse them. Furthermore, by comparing the size of each foramen against the cross-sectional areas of its contents, we estimate the amount of free space in each. We also review lesions that can obstruct the foramina and discuss their clinical consequences.

KEYWORDS:

anterior fossa; cranial nerve; cribiform plate; foramen ovale; foramen rotundum; foramina; middle fossa; optic canal; sphenoid; superior orbital fissure

Figure 1

Superior view of cranial floor

Blue - Anterior Cranial Fossa; Green - Middle Cranial Fossa

Figure 2

Close-up view of cranial nerve foramina within middle cranial fossa

A: Superior view; B: Oblique view.

OC: optic canal; SOF: superior orbital fissure; FR: foramen rotundum; FO: foramen ovale; FS: foramen spinosum.

Figure 3

Close-up view of cranial nerve foramina within anterior cranial fossa

CG: crista galli; CF: cribriform plate