Atlas of Human Anatomy in Cross Section: Section 1. Head and Neck

Plate 1.23

Ronald A. Bergman, Ph.D., Adel K. Afifi, M.D., Jean J. Jew, M.D., and Paul C. Reimann, B.S.
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This is a section through the base of the cranial cavity. Rostrally in the midline is the crista galli (26) and lateral to it is the olfactory bulb (24). Rostral to the olfactory bulb (24) in the frontal bone is the frontal sinus (25). In the orbital cavity, the medial (23) and lateral (21) rectus muscles and the optic nerve (22) are seen. The optic canal (3) is caudal to the orbit. Within the middle cranial fossa is the temporal lobe (5) and anterolateral to it is the greater wing of the sphenoid bone (20). In the posterior cranial fossa, the medulla oblongata (12) and cerebellar tonsils (15) are seen. Ventral to the medulla is the vertebral artery (9) and its branch, the anterior spinal artery (13). The clivus (1) is also seen ventral to the medulla (12). Arachnoid trabeculae (11) are seen in the subarachnoid space around the medulla oblongata (12). Several major vessels are seen in this section: internal carotid artery (4, 19), vertebral artery (9), and jugular vein (17). The sigmoid venous sinus (8) and the sphenoid air sinus (2) are seen. Lateral to the sigmoid sinus (8) are the mastoid air cells (7). The external auditory meatus (18) is seen. Outside the cranial cavity, the following muscles are seen: rectus capitis posterior major (16), semispinalis capitis (14), splenius capitis (10), and temporalis (6).

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