Posterior ethmoidal foramen

Posterior Ethmoidal Foramen

The Posterior Ethmoidal Foramen is a small opening in the ethmoid bone of the human skull. It is located in the medial wall of the orbit, near the upper border of the sphenoid bone. This foramen transmits the posterior ethmoidal artery, vein, and nerve.

The bony wall of the nasal cavity, showing the location of the posterior ethmoidal foramen (labeled as posterior ethmoidal canal)

Anatomy

The posterior ethmoidal foramen is one of two ethmoidal foramina, the other being the anterior ethmoidal foramen. Both are found in the ethmoid bone, which is a light, porous bone located between the eyes and part of the skull's floor. The posterior ethmoidal foramen is located more posteriorly and superiorly than the anterior ethmoidal foramen.

Function

The posterior ethmoidal foramen serves as a passageway for the posterior ethmoidal artery, vein, and nerve. These structures provide blood supply and sensory innervation to the ethmoidal cells and the superior and lateral nasal cavity.

Clinical Significance

Knowledge of the exact location of the posterior ethmoidal foramen is crucial in surgeries involving the ethmoid bone or the orbit, such as ethmoidectomy or orbital decompression. Damage to the structures passing through this foramen can lead to complications like bleeding, infection, or loss of sensation.

The ethmoid bone from above, showing the location of the posterior ethmoidal foramen

See Also

• Ethmoid bone
• Orbit (anatomy)
• Anterior ethmoidal foramen