Question

The contoured floor of the cranial cavity exhibits curved depressions called the cranial fossae. Match the named fossae with the appropriate description.

a) Anterior cranial fossa
b) Middle cranial fossa
c) Posterior cranial fossa
d) None of the above

Answer 1

The cranial cavity is divided into three cranial fossae: anterior, middle, and posterior. The fossae increase in depth from front to back. The anterior cranial fossa overlies the orbits and contains the frontal lobes of the brain, the middle cranial fossa extends from the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone to the petrous ridge, and the posterior cranial fossa extends from the petrous ridge to the occipital bone.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cranial cavity in the skull is subdivided into three cranial fossae: the anterior cranial fossa, the middle cranial fossa, and the posterior cranial fossa. These fossae are curved depressions in the floor of the cranial cavity that conform to the shape and size of the brain regions they contain. Each fossa has its own boundaries and openings, and they increase in depth from anterior to posterior. The anterior cranial fossa overlies the orbits and contains the frontal lobes of the brain, while the middle cranial fossa extends from the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone to the petrous ridge, and the posterior cranial fossa extends from the petrous ridge to the occipital bone.