This is a list of all structures passing through various foramina of the cranial cavity.
1. Anterior cranial fossa
- Foramen caecum- emissary vein
- Cribriform foramina- olfactory nerves
- Anterior ethmoidal foramen- anterior ethmoidal N&V
- Posterior ethmoidal foramen- posterior ethmoidal N&V
2. Middle cranial fossa
- Optic foramen- optic nerve, ophthalmic artery, sympathetic plexus
- Superior orbital fissure-
- Within common tendinous ring: oculomotor nerve (superior & inferior divisions), nasociliary nerve, abducent nerve, sympathetic root of ciliary ganglion
- Above tendinous ring: lacrimal, trochlear, frontal nerves, lacrimal artery, superior ophthalmic vein, recurrent meningeal branch of lacrimal artery
- Below ring: inferior ophthalmic vein
- Foramen rotundum- maxillary nerve, emissary vein
- Foramen ovale- mandibular nerve, accessory middle meningeal artery, lesser petrosal nerve, emissary vein
- Foramen spinosum- middle meningeal artery, nervus spinosus
- Foramen lacerum- meningeal branch of ascending pharyngeal artery, emissary vein, internal carotid and its sympathetic plexus
3. Posterior cranial fossa
- Internal auditory meatus- CN 7, CN 8, nervus intermedius, labrynthine vessels
- Jugular foramen
- Anterior part: inferior petrosal sinus
- Middle part: CN 9, 10, 11
- Posteror part: sigmoid sinus
- Hypoglossal canal- CN 12, meningeal branch of ascending pharyngeal artery
- Posterior condylar canal- emissary vein, meningeal branch of occipital artery
- Foramen magnum:
- Anterior compartment: apical ligament of dens, upper longitudinal branch of cruciform ligament, membrana tectoria
- Posterior compartment: medulla and coverings, 2 posterior spinal arteries, anterior spinal artery, communicating arteries between vertebral and basilar venous plexus, 2 vertebral arteries, sympathtic plexus, spinal roots of accessory nerve
Key:
CN- cranial nerve