Posterior cranial fossa

The Posterior Cranial Fossa is a depression in the human skull, located on the interior surface of the skull. It houses the brainstem and cerebellum, which are crucial parts of the brain responsible for various vital functions.

Anatomy

The Posterior Cranial Fossa is the deepest part of the skull. It is bordered anteriorly by the petrous part of the temporal bone and the dorsum sellae of the sphenoid bone. Posteriorly, it is bordered by the occipital bone, and laterally by the temporal bone and occipital bone.

Contents

The Posterior Cranial Fossa contains several important structures of the brain, including:

• The cerebellum, which is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, posture, and balance.
• The brainstem, which controls the flow of messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and also controls basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether one is awake or sleepy.

Clinical significance

Due to its location and the vital structures it contains, the Posterior Cranial Fossa is often involved in various medical conditions and procedures. These include Chiari malformations, brain tumors, and traumatic brain injuries.

See also

• Anterior cranial fossa
• Middle cranial fossa
• Foramen magnum

References

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  Posterior cranial fossa boundaries
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  Cranial fossae
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  Posterior cranial fossa animation
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  Cranial endobasis of a 19-20 weeks foetus
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  Schädelbasis
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  Base of skull 24
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  Base of skull 25
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  Postermass
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  Cerebellar fossa by Sanjoy Sanyal