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Foramen ovale
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The foramen ovale is an oval-shaped opening situated in the middle cranial fossa. More specifically, it is located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, lateral to the lingula and posterolateral to the foramen rotundum.
The foramen ovale functions as the passageway for neurovascular structures which pass from the middle cranial fossa into the infratemporal fossa. These neurovascular structures usually include:
- The mandibular nerve (CN V3)
- The accessory meningeal artery
- The lesser superficial petrosal nerve
- The emissary vein
| Terminology |
English: Foramen ovale Latin: Foramen ovale |
| Definition | A large oval-shaped opening situated in the middle cranial fossa. |
| Contents |
The mandibular nerve (CN V3); The accessory meningeal artery; The lesser superficial petrosal nerve; The emissary vein |
Learn about the other openings and features located in the base of the skull with the following study unit:
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