posterior cranial fossa
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The posterior cranial fossa is the most posterior aspect of the skull base housing the brainstem and cerebellum.
Gross anatomy
The following structures are present from anterior to posterior:
- internal acoustic meatus
- foramen magnum
- groove for superior petrosal sinus
- jugular foramen
- hypoglossal canal
- vestibular aqueduct
- condyloid foramen of the condylar canal
Boundaries
- anterior - posterior surface of petrous temporal bone
- posterior - occipital bone
- lateral - squamous and mastoid parts of temporal bone
Related pathology
- chiari malformations may result in overcrowding of posterior cranial fossa
Siehe auch:
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