The olfactory bulb is located in which cranial fossa?

The olfactory bulb is located in which cranial fossa?

• A. Middle cranial fossa
• B. Posterior cranial fossa
• C. Anterior cranial fossa
• D. Infratemporal fossa

Answer: (C)

The olfactory bulb sits on the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone, which forms part of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. The olfactory nerves pass through the foramina in this plate to reach the nasal cavity, so the bulb rests within the anterior cranial fossa close to the nasal route. The other fossae contain different brain regions or structures (middle fossa with portions of the temporal lobes, posterior fossa with the brainstem and cerebellum), and the infratemporal fossa is outside the cranial cavities.

The olfactory bulb sits on the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone, which forms part of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. The olfactory nerves pass through the foramina in this plate to reach the nasal cavity, so the bulb rests within the anterior cranial fossa close to the nasal route. The other fossae contain different brain regions or structures (middle fossa with portions of the temporal lobes, posterior fossa with the brainstem and cerebellum), and the infratemporal fossa is outside the cranial cavities.