Anterior cranial fossa

Anterior Cranial Fossa

The Anterior cranial fossa is a depression in the floor of the cranial cavity which houses the projecting frontal lobes of the brain. It is the shallowest of the three cranial fossae.

Anatomy

The anterior cranial fossa is formed by parts of the frontal bone, the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone, and parts of the ethmoid bone. It is separated from the middle cranial fossa by the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone.

The floor of the anterior cranial fossa is formed by the orbital plates of the frontal bone, the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone, and the body and lesser wings of the sphenoid bone. The cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone allows for the passage of the olfactory nerves which provide the sense of smell.

Clinical Significance

Injuries or abnormalities in the anterior cranial fossa can lead to various medical conditions. For instance, fractures can lead to cerebrospinal fluid leakage or damage to the olfactory nerves, resulting in loss of smell (anosmia). Tumors or growths in this area can also cause a variety of symptoms, depending on their size and location.

See Also

• Cranial cavity
• Middle cranial fossa
• Posterior cranial fossa
• Frontal bone
• Sphenoid bone
• Ethmoid bone