Anatomy

Middle Cranial Fossa

The compartment containing the anterior extremities and half the inferior surface of the temporal lobes (TEMPORAL LOBE) of the cerebral hemispheres. Lying posterior and inferior to the anterior cranial fossa (CRANIAL FOSSA, ANTERIOR), it is formed by part of the TEMPORAL BONE and SPHENOID BONE. It is separated from the posterior cranial fossa (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR) by crests formed by the superior borders of the petrous parts of the temporal bones.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The compartment containing the anterior extremities and half the inferior surface of the temporal lobes (TEMPORAL LOBE) of the cerebral hemispheres. Lying posterior and inferior to the anterior cranial fossa (CRANIAL FOSSA, ANTERIOR), it is formed by part of the TEMPORAL BONE and SPHENOID BONE. It is separated from the posterior cranial fossa (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR) by crests formed by the superior borders of the petrous parts of the temporal bones.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

2 entry terms
  • Cranial Fossa, Middle
  • Fossa, Middle Cranial

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

NIM when merely locational; neoplasms: coordinate with SKULL BASE NEOPLASMS

MeSH Record

History Note

2003

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A01.456w.830w.165w
  2. A02w.835w.232w.781w.750w.165w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Middle Cranial Fossa. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D035301. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D035301
  2. Middle Cranial Fossa. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_cranial_fossa
  3. Middle Cranial Fossa. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1439390