Trigeminal tubercle

Trigeminal Tubercle is a small bony prominence located in the middle cranial fossa of the human skull. It is a part of the temporal bone and serves as an important anatomical landmark in neurosurgery and radiology.

Anatomy

The trigeminal tubercle is located on the petrous part of the temporal bone, anterior to the petrous apex. It is the site of attachment for the tentorium cerebelli, a fold of dura mater that separates the cerebellum from the inferior portion of the occipital lobes.

The tubercle is named for its relationship to the trigeminal nerve, also known as the fifth cranial nerve or CN V. The nerve passes anteriorly to the tubercle as it exits the brainstem at the level of the pons.

Clinical Significance

The trigeminal tubercle is an important landmark in neurosurgery, particularly in procedures involving the middle cranial fossa or the trigeminal nerve. It can be used to locate the foramen spinosum, through which the middle meningeal artery passes, and the foramen ovale, which transmits the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

In radiology, the tubercle can be seen on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the head. It may be used to assess the position of the tentorium cerebelli and to identify abnormalities such as tentorial herniation.

See Also

• Middle cranial fossa
• Trigeminal nerve
• Temporal bone
• Tentorium cerebelli