Petro-occipital fissure
Encyclopedia
This grooved surface of the foramen magnum is separated on either side from the petrous portion of the temporal bone
by the petro-occipital fissure, which is occupied in the fresh state by a plate of cartilage
; the fissure is continuous behind with the jugular foramen
, and its margins are grooved for the inferior petrosal sinus
.
Temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebrum.The temporal bone supports that part of the face known as the temple.-Parts:The temporal bone consists of four parts:* Squama temporalis...
by the petro-occipital fissure, which is occupied in the fresh state by a plate of cartilage
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
; the fissure is continuous behind with the jugular foramen
Jugular foramen
The jugular foramen is a large aperture in the base of the skull. It is located behind the carotid canal and is formed in front by the petrous portion of the temporal, and behind by the occipital; it is generally larger on the right than on the left side....
, and its margins are grooved for the inferior petrosal sinus
Inferior petrosal sinus
The inferior petrosal sinuses, within the human head, are beneath the brain and allow blood to drain from the center of the head.They drain on either side inferiorly from the cavernous sinus and join with the sigmoid sinus to form the internal jugular vein, which continues inferiorly to drain...
.