Temporal Bone and Central Skull Base

Abstract

The central skull base (middle cranial fossa) includes large trough-shaped portions, which receive the cerebral temporal lobes and central portions that form the basis of the cavernous sinuses.

The main bony frame is formed by the greater wings of the sphenoid and the temporal bones. This region is characterised by important vascular and neural pathways. It also contains various foramina and fissures such as the superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, emissary sphenoidal foramen, foramen ovale and foramen spinosum. These foramina represent landmarks in the course of important vascular and neural structures and are further related to other foramina and canals, such as the carotid canal, foramen lacerum, and to the complex overall structure of the cavernous sinuses.

The jugular fossa is located at the junction of the central and posterior skull base as well as the nearby internal acoustic meatus and the related region of the cerebellopontine angle.

The major anatomical landmarksfor the diagnosis of diseases of the temporal bone, the mastoid and the central skull base are discussed in the following section. The temporal bone is formed of five parts:

• Mastoid portion

• Squamous portion

• Petrous portion

• Tympanic bone

• Styloid process