Which bones comprise the middle cranial fossa?

Which bones comprise the middle cranial fossa?

• A. Frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid
• B. Temporal, sphenoid, and parietal
• C. Occipital, temporal, and parietal
• D. Maxilla, zygomatic, and sphenoid

Answer: (B)

The middle cranial fossa is the central base of the skull that houses the temporal lobes and lies between the anterior and posterior fossae. It is formed mainly by the sphenoid bone (its body and greater wings) and by parts of the temporal bones (the squamous part and adjacent regions). The roof of this fossa is contributed by the parietal bone. So, the bones that comprise it are temporal, sphenoid, and parietal. Other bones listed align with different fossae: the frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid form the anterior fossa; the occipital, temporal, and parietal form the posterior fossa; and maxilla and zygomatic do not form the middle fossa.

The middle cranial fossa is the central base of the skull that houses the temporal lobes and lies between the anterior and posterior fossae. It is formed mainly by the sphenoid bone (its body and greater wings) and by parts of the temporal bones (the squamous part and adjacent regions). The roof of this fossa is contributed by the parietal bone. So, the bones that comprise it are temporal, sphenoid, and parietal.

Other bones listed align with different fossae: the frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid form the anterior fossa; the occipital, temporal, and parietal form the posterior fossa; and maxilla and zygomatic do not form the middle fossa.