University of Michigan Medical School

Cranial Cavity and Brain

List of Structures

Osteology

- Calvaria
- Anterior cranial fossa
  - Frontal bone
  - Ethmoid bone
    - Crista galli
    - Cribriform foramina
  - Sphenoid bone
    - Lesser wing
- Middle cranial fossa
  - Sphenoid bone
    - Optic canal (for CN II & ophthalmic a.)
    - Superior orbital fissure (for CN III, IV, ophthalmic division - V1, VI)
    - Hypophysial fossa
    - Greater wing
    - Foramen rotundum (for CN V: maxillary division - V2)
    - Foramen ovale (for CN V: mandibular division - V3)
  - Foramen spinosum (for middle meningeal a.)
- Cranial base
  - Jugular foramen (for CNs IX, X, XI)
- Posterior cranial fossa
  - Temporal bone
    - Petrous part
    - Carotid canal
    - Internal acoustic meatus (for CN VII & VIII)
  - Occipital bone
    - Foramen magnum
    - Hypoglossal canal (for CN XII)
    - Internal occipital protuberance

Cranial nerves I-XII

Meninges

- Pia mater
- Arachnoid mater
  - Arachnoid trabeculae
  - Subarachnoid space
  - Arachnoid granulations
- Dura mater
  - Falx cerebri
  - Diaphragma sellae
  - Tentorium cerebelli
    - Tentorial notch
  - Falx cerebelli

Arteries

- Vertebral a.
  - Anterior & posterior spinal a.
  - Posterior inferior cerebellar a.
- Basilar a.
  - Anterior inferior cerebellar a.
  - Superior cerebellar a.
  - Posterior cerebral a.
- Internal carotid a.
  - Middle cerebral a.
  - Anterior cerebral a.
    - Anterior communicating a.
  - Posterior communicating a.
- Cerebral arterial circle (of Willis)

Veins

- Dural venous sinuses
  - Superior sagittal sinus
  - Inferior sagittal sinus
  - Great cerebral v.
  - Straight sinus
  - Occipital sinus
  - Confluence of sinuses
  - Transverse sinus
  - Superior petrosal sinus
  - Sigmoid sinus
  - Inferior petrosal sinus
  - Cavernous sinus

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