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AnatomyHead and neckSkullForamen spinosum
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AnatomyHead and neckSkullForamen spinosum

Foramen spinosum

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 12, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Cranial fossae [11:38]
Structures of the cranial fossae.
Foramen spinosum
1/5
Synonyms: none

The foramen spinosum is a small, oval opening located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone at the base of the skull.

It is positioned posterolateral to the larger foramen ovale and connects the infratemporal fossa with the middle cranial fossa of the cranial cavity.

This foramen serves as a passageway for the middle meningeal artery and vein and the meningeal branch of mandibular nerve (CN V3).

Terminology English: Foramen spinosum

Latin: Foramen spinosum
Definition Small, oval opening located in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone
Function Transmits the middle meningeal artery, vein, and meningeal branch of the mandibular nerve

Learn more about the foramen spinosum in the following study unit:

Cranial fossae Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Drake, R., Vogl, W., Mitchell, A. & Gray, H. (2015). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
  • McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
    Mescher, A. L., & Junqueira, L. C. (2013).
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone

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