Anterior Cranial Fossa

Anterior Cranial Fossa

The Anterior Cranial Fossa (/ænˈtɪər.i.ər ˈkreɪ.ni.əl ˈfɒsə/) is a depression in the floor of the cranial base which houses the projecting frontal lobes of the brain. It is formed by parts of the frontal bone, the lesser wing of the sphenoid, and the cribriform plate of the ethmoid.

Etymology

The term "Anterior Cranial Fossa" is derived from the Latin words "anterior" meaning front, "cranial" referring to the skull, and "fossa" meaning trench or ditch.

Anatomy

The Anterior Cranial Fossa is the most anterior of the three cranial fossae. It is separated from the Middle Cranial Fossa by the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone. The floor of the Anterior Cranial Fossa is formed by the orbital plates of the frontal bone, the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, and the body and lesser wings of the sphenoid bone.

Related Terms

• Cranial Fossa
• Frontal Bone
• Sphenoid Bone
• Ethmoid Bone
• Middle Cranial Fossa
• Posterior Cranial Fossa

See Also

• Cranial Cavity
• Skull Base
• Brain Anatomy

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