Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Courses
Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues Body systems
Articles
Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckSkullForamen spinosum
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

ArticlesAnatomyHead and neckSkullForamen spinosum

Foramen spinosum

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 12, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Cranial fossae [11:38]
Structures of the cranial fossae.
Foramen spinosum
1/5
Synonyms: none

The foramen spinosum is a small, oval opening located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull.

It is positioned posterolateral to the larger foramen ovale and connects the infratemporal fossa with the middle cranial fossa of the cranial cavity.

This foramen serves as a passageway for the middle meningeal artery and vein and the meningeal branch of mandibular nerve (CN V3).

Terminology English: Foramen spinosum

Latin: Foramen spinosum
Definition Small, oval opening located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone
Function Transmits the middle meningeal artery, vein, and meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve

Learn more about the foramen spinosum in the following study unit:

Cranial fossae Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
  • McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
    Mescher, A. L., & Junqueira, L. C. (2013).
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

Foramen spinosum: want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!