X CLOSE

Floor of cranial cavity

Middle cranial fossa; dissection of left cavernous sinus (continued); semilunar ganglion; petrosal nerves

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Image #51-1
Bassett Image
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Floor of cranial cavity
Middle cranial fossa; dissection of left cavernous sinus (continued); semilunar ganglion; petrosal nerves
More veins have been cut away to expose the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve (8,10,20) the abducens nerve (14) and the petrosal nerves (19,21).
  1. Circular sinus
  2. Tuberculum sellae
  3. Oculomotor nerve (III)
  4. Band of dura mater extending between anterior and posterior clinoid processes
  5. Internal carotid artery
  6. Optic foramen
  7. Trochlear nerve (IV)
  8. Ophthalmic nerve (V1)
  9. Superior orbital fissure
  10. Maxillary nerve (V2) entering foramen rotundum
  11. Basilar venous plexus and posterior clinoid process
  12. Posterior longitudinal ligament (cut off)
  13. Ligamentous band of dura mater extending from tip of petrous part of temporal bone to sphenoid bone (petrodinoid ligament)
  14. Abducens nerve (VI)
  15. Major portion of trigeminal nerve (V)
  16. Meckel's cave
  17. Filament of cavernous nerve plexus
  18. Semilunar ganglion (trigeminal)
  19. Upper pointer: Thin lamina of bone which covers carotid canal Lower pointer: Major superficial petrous nerve
  20. Mandibular nerve (V3)
  21. Lesser superficial petrosal nerve
  22. Middle meningeal artery (cut off)