Anterior Cranial Fossa Anatomy

Anterior Cranial Fossa

Meninges

• The anterior cranial fossa is lined by the dura mater, a thick, protective membrane that covers the brain.
• The dura mater is divided into two layers: the endosteal layer and the meningeal layer.

Ethmoid Bone

• The anterior cranial fossa is formed by the ethmoid bone, a spongy bone that contributes to the nasal cavity and orbits.
• The ethmoid bone is divided into four parts: cribriform plate, perpendicular plate, orbital plate, and labyrinth.

Cranial Nerves

• The anterior cranial fossa is a passage for several cranial nerves:
  • Olfactory nerve (I): responsible for transmitting sensory information from the nose to the brain.
  • Optic nerve (II): responsible for transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain.
  • Oculomotor nerve (III): responsible for controlling eye movements.

Orbital Roof

• The anterior cranial fossa forms the roof of the orbit, which is the bony structure that protects the eye.
• The orbital roof is composed of the frontal bone, sphenoid bone, and ethmoid bone.

Olfactory Bulb

• The olfactory bulb is a structure located in the anterior cranial fossa that receives sensory information from the olfactory nerve.
• The olfactory bulb is responsible for processing smells and transmitting this information to the brain.
• The olfactory bulb is divided into two parts: anterior olfactory nucleus and posterior olfactory nucleus.

Anterior Cranial Fossa

• Lined by dura mater, a thick protective membrane covering the brain, divided into endosteal layer and meningeal layer.

Ethmoid Bone

• Forms the anterior cranial fossa, a spongy bone contributing to the nasal cavity and orbits.
• Divided into four parts: cribriform plate, perpendicular plate, orbital plate, and labyrinth.

Cranial Nerves

• Passes through the anterior cranial fossa, including:
  • Olfactory nerve (I): transmits sensory information from the nose to the brain.
  • Optic nerve (II): transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain.
  • Oculomotor nerve (III): controls eye movements.

Orbital Roof

• Forms the roof of the orbit, a bony structure protecting the eye.
• Composed of the frontal bone, sphenoid bone, and ethmoid bone.

Olfactory Bulb

• Located in the anterior cranial fossa, receives sensory information from the olfactory nerve.
• Responsible for processing smells and transmitting information to the brain.
• Divided into two parts: anterior olfactory nucleus and posterior olfactory nucleus.