A. Superior orbital fissure – Explanation
Foramina of the skull
Questions asking about foramina of the skull have come up in the exam in previous years. Below is
a brief summary of the major foramina, please see the Wikipedia link for a full list.
| Foramen | Bone | Vessels | Nerves |
| Optic canal | Sphenoid | Ophthalmic artery | Optic nerve (II) |
| Superior orbital fissure | Sphenoid | Superior ophthalmic vein, Inferior ophthalmic vein | Oculomotor nerve (III), Trochlear nerve (IV), Lacrimal, frontal, and nasociliary branches of ophthalmic nerve (V1), Abducent nerve (VI) |
| Inferior orbital fissure | Sphenoid and maxilla | Inferior ophthalmic veins, Infraorbital artery, Infraorbital vein | Zygomatic nerve and infraorbital nerve of maxillary nerve (V2), Orbital branches of pterygopalatine ganglion |
| Foramen rotundum | Sphenoid | — | Maxillary nerve (V2) |
| Foramen ovale | Sphenoid | Accessory meningeal artery | Mandibular nerve (V3) |
| Jugular foramen | Occipital and temporal | Posterior meningeal artery, Ascending pharyngeal artery, Inferior petrosal sinus, Sigmoid sinus, Internal jugular vein | Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), Vagus nerve (X), Accessory nerve (XI) |
