Interpeduncular fossa

Nestled between the two cerebral peduncles of the midbrain lies the interpeduncular fossa, visible at the brain's base. Bordered anteriorly by the optic chiasma, and cradled antero-laterally by the merging optic tracts, its posterior and lateral boundaries are marked by the spreading cerebral peduncles. This region is pierced by numerous small striate arteries, primarily emanating from the circle of Willis. These arteries traverse the interpeduncular fossa to form the posterior perforating substance, facilitating the penetration of these vessels through the brain tissue. This vascular network is crucial for supplying blood to the subcortical brain regions, including the basal ganglia, internal capsule, and thalamus. Within the confines of the interpeduncular fossa, moving from back to front, the contained structures comprise the posterior perforated substance, mamillary bodies, tuber cinereum, infundibulum, and the hypophysis cerebri.