Petrosal process
Encyclopedia
On either side of the dorsum sellae
of the sphenoid bone
is a notch for the passage of the abducent nerve
, and below the notch a sharp process, the petrosal process, which articulates with the apex of the petrous portion of the temporal bone
, and forms the medial boundary of the foramen lacerum
.
Dorsum sellae
In the sphenoid bone, the anterior boundary of the sella turcica is completed by two small eminences, one on either side, called the middle clinoid processes, while the posterior boundary is formed by a square-shaped plate of bone, the dorsum sellæ, ending at its superior angles in two tubercles,...
of the sphenoid bone
Sphenoid bone
The sphenoid bone is an unpaired bone situated at the base of the skull in front of the temporal bone and basilar part of the occipital bone.The sphenoid bone is one of the seven bones that articulate to form the orbit...
is a notch for the passage of the abducent nerve
Abducent nerve
The abducens nerve or abducent nerve is a somatic efferent nerve that controls the movement of a single muscle, the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, in humans. In most other mammals it also innervates the musculus retractor bulbi, which can retract the eye for protection...
, and below the notch a sharp process, the petrosal process, which articulates with the apex of the petrous portion of the temporal bone
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...
, and forms the medial boundary of the foramen lacerum
Foramen lacerum
The foramen lacerum is a triangular hole in the base of the skull located at the base of the medial pterygoid plate.-Transit through the foramen lacerum:...
.