The microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen

• DOI: 10.3171/jns.1995.83.5.0903
• Publication Date: 2009-06-02T17:42:21Z
• Authors: S. Adetokunboh Ayeni; Kenji Ohata; Kiyoaki Tanaka; Akira Hakuba
• Keywords: Jugular foramen; Sigmoid sinus; Foramen; Infratemporal fossa; Inferior petrosal sinus; Perforation; Accessory nerve; Neurovascular bundle; Mastoidectomy; Cranial nerves; Internal jugular vein

✓ The microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen was studied in 10 fixed cadavers, each cadaver consisting whole head and neck. Five cadavers were injected with latex. foraminal region exposed using infratemporal fossa type A approach Fisch Pillsbury five (10 sides) combined cervical dissection—mastoidectomy—suboccipital craniectomy sides). right larger than left seven cases (70%), equal two (20%), smaller one case (10%). dura covering intracranial portal had perforations, a anteromedial perforation through which passed ninth cranial nerve (CN IX), posterolateral perforation, 10th 11th nerves (CNs X XI) distal sigmoid sinus. perforations separated by fibrous septum 16 specimens (80%). After exiting posterior fossa, CNs IX, X, XI all lay to superior bulb (SJB) within foramen. inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) entered between IX most cases; however, 10% our it XI, caudal CN XI. IPS terminated SJB 90% 40%, termination consisted multiple channels draining into both internal vein. This study shows that arrangement neurovascular structures does not conform hitherto widely accepted notion discrete compartmentalization an pars nervosa containing venosa SJB, meningeal artery.