Clivus

Clivus
Location of the clivus in the human skull
Details
System	Skeletal system
Artery	Basilar artery
Vein	Basilar venous plexus
Nerve	Abducens nerve
Identifiers
Latin	Clivus
TA98
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terminology

The clivus is a sloping bony structure located at the base of the skull, forming part of the occipital bone and the sphenoid bone. It is situated posterior to the sella turcica and anterior to the foramen magnum. The clivus plays a crucial role in supporting the brainstem and is an important landmark in neuroanatomy and neurosurgery.

Anatomy

The clivus is formed by the fusion of the basilar part of the occipital bone and the body of the sphenoid bone. It slopes downward and backward from the dorsum sellae to the foramen magnum. The clivus is concave and provides a surface for the pons and the medulla oblongata to rest upon.

Relations

• Anteriorly, the clivus is related to the sphenoid sinus and the nasopharynx.
• Posteriorly, it is continuous with the foramen magnum and the occipital bone.
• Superiorly, it is adjacent to the sella turcica, which houses the pituitary gland.
• Inferiorly, it is related to the cervical spine.

Clinical significance

The clivus is an important landmark in neurosurgery, particularly in procedures involving the brainstem and cranial base. Lesions such as chordomas and chondrosarcomas can occur in this region, requiring careful surgical planning due to the proximity of critical neurovascular structures.

The clivus is also significant in the context of basilar invagination, a condition where the tip of the odontoid process projects into the foramen magnum, potentially compressing the brainstem.

Imaging

The clivus can be visualized using various imaging modalities, including CT and MRI. These imaging techniques are essential for diagnosing pathologies involving the clivus and planning surgical interventions.

Also see

• Sella turcica
• Foramen magnum
• Brainstem
• Chordoma
• Basilar artery