Rostral cranial fossa
Fossa cranii rostralis
Definition
The rostral cranial fossa is formed by the wings of the presphenoid bone and the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
In its caudal portion, it presents the optic chiasma, which receives the optic chiasm and extends laterally as the optic canal.
Anteriorly lies the sphenoidal yoke, a smooth and slightly concave surface, beyond which the crista galli separates the two ethmoidal fossae along the midline. Each ethmoidal fossa corresponds to the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. It is delimited by more or less pronounced ridges on its rostral and lateral borders, the latter being perforated by the ethmoidal foramen, which is double in dogs.
References
Barone R. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 1, Ostéologie, 5th edition, Vigot, Paris, 2017.
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature, 3rd Edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
