Posterior cranial fossa
Posterior Cranial Fossa
The Posterior Cranial Fossa (pronounced: poh-STEER-ee-or KRAY-nee-al FOSS-uh) is the deepest part of the skull base. It houses the cerebellum, brainstem, and the structures of the inner ear.
Etymology
The term "Posterior Cranial Fossa" is derived from the Latin words "posterior" meaning "behind", "cranial" referring to the "skull", and "fossa" meaning "ditch or trench". Thus, it refers to the trench-like space at the back of the skull.
Anatomy
The Posterior Cranial Fossa is bounded anteriorly by the petrous part of the temporal bone and the dorsum sellae of the sphenoid bone. Posteriorly, it is bounded by the occipital bone. The floor of the fossa is formed by the basilar part of the occipital bone and the posterior surface of the petrous and mastoid parts of the temporal bone.
It contains several important structures including the cerebellum, the brainstem, the fourth ventricle, and the cranial nerves VII through XII.
Related Terms
- Cranial Fossa: The cranial fossa is a space in the skull which houses the brain. There are three cranial fossae: anterior, middle, and posterior.
- Cerebellum: The cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control.
- Brainstem: The brainstem is the posterior part of the brain, continuous with the spinal cord.
- Fourth Ventricle: The fourth ventricle is one of the four connected fluid-filled cavities within the human brain.
- Cranial Nerves: Cranial nerves are the nerves that emerge directly from the brain, in contrast to spinal nerves which emerge from segments of the spinal cord.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Posterior cranial fossa
- Wikipedia's article - Posterior cranial fossa
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