Foramen lacerum

The foramen lacerum (plural: foramina lacera) is a triangular opening located in the middle cranial fossa formed by the continuation of the petrosphenoidal and petroclival fissures. Thus, it is a gap between bones, alternatively termed the sphenopetro­clival synchondrosis, rather than a true foramen within a bone .

Gross anatomy

The foramen lacerum is filled with connective tissue and transmits the small meningeal branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery and emissary veins from the cavernous sinus to the pterygoid venous plexus. The internal carotid artery passes along its superior surface but does not traverse it. The greater petrosal nerve enters from the posterolateral aspect, joins with the deep petrosal nerve, and leaves anteriorly as the nerve of the pterygoid canal. ​

It measures approximately 9 mm in length and 7 mm in breadth.

Relations and/or Boundaries

• posterior: petrous apex
• anterior: body of the sphenoid bone at the junction of greater wing and pterygoid process
• medial: basilar part of the occipital bone

Siehe auch:

• Arteria pharyngea ascendens

und weiter:

• Foramina der Schädelbasis
• Mittlere Schädelgrube