Anatomy of the Middle Cranial Fossa: - Formed by the sphenoid bones and temporal bones - Lodges the temporal lobes and the pituitary gland - Deeper than the anterior cranial fossa - Narrow medially and widens laterally - Separated from the posterior cranial fossa by the clivus and petrous crest

Features of the Middle Cranial Fossa: - Middle part presents the chiasmatic groove and tuberculum sellae - Chiasmatic groove ends at the optic foramen - Anterior clinoid process is directed backward and medialward - Sella turcica contains the pituitary gland and middle clinoid processes - Carotid groove lodges the cavernous sinus and internal carotid artery

Lateral Parts of the Middle Cranial Fossa: - Support the temporal lobes of the brain - Marked by depressions for the brain convolutions - Traversed by furrows for the middle meningeal vessels - Furrows begin near the foramen spinosum - Apertures include the superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, foramen Vesalii, and foramen spinosum

Clinical Significance of the Middle Cranial Fossa: - Middle fossa craniotomy is used to remove acoustic neuromas - Acoustic neuromas grow within the internal auditory canal - Temporal bone is involved in the procedure

References and Additional Information: - Grays Anatomy, 20th edition, page 190 - Grays Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 42nd edition - Grays Clinical Anatomy, Cranial Fossae - Additional images available - External links to Wikimedia Commons