Corpus: Cranial fossa

Cranial fossa is the name given to three depressions at the base of the skull arranged in steps.

• The anterior fossa (Fossa cranii anterior) is formed by the Os frontale, the Os ethmoidale and the Os sphenoidale. It contains the frontal lobe.
• The middle cranial fossa (Fossa cranii media) is formed by the Os sphenoidale and the Os temporale. It contains the temporal lobe and most of the exit and entry points of the skull.
• The posterior fossa (Fossa cranii posterior) is formed by the Os temporale and the Os occipitale. It contains the cerebellum.