Ethmoidal foramen

Ethmoidal Foramen

The Ethmoidal Foramen is a small opening in the human skull that allows passage for certain nerves and blood vessels. It is located in the ethmoid bone, one of the bones that make up the orbit of the eye. There are two ethmoidal foramina: the anterior ethmoidal foramen and the posterior ethmoidal foramen.

Anatomy

The anterior ethmoidal foramen is located near the front of the ethmoid bone, close to the lacrimal bone. It allows passage for the anterior ethmoidal artery, vein, and nerve, which supply the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses.

The posterior ethmoidal foramen is located further back, near the sphenoid bone. It allows passage for the posterior ethmoidal artery, vein, and nerve, which also supply the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the ethmoidal foramen can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, fractures can cause orbital cellulitis, a serious infection of the tissues around the eye. In addition, tumors or other growths can compress the nerves passing through the foramen, leading to sensory loss or pain.

See Also

• Ethmoid bone
• Human skull
• Orbital cellulitis