II optic nerves (right and left) to pass from the eyes to the brain carrying sight informationĬreates the superior part of the nasal septum separating the nasal cavities into right and left These provide passage for the paired C.N. I) in the cranial cavity enables transmission of scent information to the brainĪnterior skull, posterior orbits & cranial cavity Provides passage for axons of olfactory sensory neurons from the nasal cavities to the olfactory cranial nerves (C.N. (many, found in right & left cribriform plates) Olfactory foramina or cribriform foramina This pair of condyles is where the skull articulates with C 1, the first cervical vertebra, also known as atlas Location where neck muscles attach including the right and left sternocleidomastoid musclesĬreate passages for airflow through right and left nasal cavities Locations where the mandible articulates with the temporal bone creating hinges between the jaw and the rest of the skull the condylar processes of the mandible (right and left) are positioned in these fossae Provides passage for paired internal jugular veins (right and left) and right and left pairs of cranial nerves (C.N. VIII vestibulocochlear nerves transmitting sensory information including auditory information Provide passage for the right and left C.N. This fossa is the 'seat' of the saddle-like sella turcica where the pituitary gland is positioned (another name for the pituitary gland is hypophysis) Provide passage for the pair (right and left) of C.N. These provide passage for the middle meningeal arteries (right and left) which supplies blood to the dura mater of the brain These provide passage for branches of the paired (right and left) C.N. This is the largest foramen of the skull provides passage for the spinal cord to attach to the brain stem Mostly blocked by cartilage, but some blood vessels and nerves pass through Passageways (right and left) form canals to the middle earsĪ minor projection on the posterior of the skull Located between the cribriform plates attaches to the dura mater, one of the meninges surrounding the brain Provides passage for the right and left internal carotid arteriesįorms the superior aspect of the nasal cavities forms part of the anterior cranial fossa plate contains olfactory foramina where sensory neurons carrying scent information pass through from the nasal cavities towards the brain Refers to a large rounded prominence which often provides structural support to the overlying hyaline cartilage.Įxamples: femoral lateral and medial condyles tibial lateral and medial condyles occipital condyles articulate with atlas (C1)Ī hole in a bone through which nerves and blood vessels pass.Įxamples: foramen magnum supraorbital foramen infraorbital foramen mental foramenĮxamples: trochlear fossa posterior, middle, and anterior cranial fossaeĪ tube-like channel that extends within the bone, which may provide passage and protection to nerves, vessels, and sound.Įxamples: external acoustic meatus internal auditory meatusīony projection, allow for muscle attachment.Įxamples: spinous process, acromial process, radial styloid processĪbove: Markings of the cranium viewing the skull from the inferior view.Ībove: Markings of the cranium viewing the skull from the superior view of the cranial cavity. Before examining the specific markings of the cranium, review the pertinent types of markings we will see when we examine the cranium markings: Recall from Chapter 7: Introduction to the Skeletal System, that bones have markings including holes, passageways, basins, and projections.

Skull bones