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Anatomy · Anatomical structures

Foramen lacerum

foramen lacerum

Foramen lacerum (foramen lacerum) is an opening located at the internal and external skull base, at the junction of the sphenoid and temporal bones. In a living human, it is filled by a permanent synchondrosis, so it appears as a gaping cleft only on a macerated (dry) skull. The internal carotid artery exits through it into the cranial cavity, along with the petrosal nerves and glossopharyngeal nerve.

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LocationMiddle cranial fossa and external skull base
In a living humanFilled with a permanent synchondrosis (sphenopetrosal fissure)
Major vesselInternal carotid artery (exit from the carotid canal)
3 min readFor medical studentsUpdated 09/24/2026
Material prepared by WhiteCoat Pro editorial team based on platform study guidesReviewed by medical editor: Aulov A. A., general practitioner · 09/24/2026

Where is the foramen lacerum located?

The foramen lacerum serves as a communication pathway between the internal and external skull base.

  • At the internal skull base, it belongs to the middle cranial fossa (Fossa cranii media). This fossa is bounded anteriorly by the lesser wings of the sphenoid bone (Alae minores) and the prechiasmatic sulcus (Sulcus prechiasmaticus). The posterior border runs along the superior border of the petrous part of the temporal bone (Margo superior partis petrosae) or the sulcus for the superior petrosal sinus, and along the midline — by the dorsum sellae (Dorsum sellae).
  • At the external skull base (Basis cranii externa), the opening is viewed from the inferior (basal) aspect. On a dry skull, it appears as a cleft located at the posteromedial margin of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone and the petrous part of the temporal bone.

Structural features in a living human

The anatomical appearance of the foramen lacerum varies depending on the state of the skull:

  • On a macerated (dry) skull, it is clearly visible as a cleft or opening.
  • In a living skull, the area of the foramen lacerum is not a free opening. It is occupied by a permanent synchondrosis, which forms the sphenopetrosal fissure (Fissura sphenopetrosa).
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What passes through the foramen lacerum?

Important vascular and neural structures pass through this region:

  • Internal carotid artery (Arteria carotis interna) — after passing through the carotid canal of the petrous part of the temporal bone (petrous part — Pars petrosa) and following its S-shaped bends, the artery exits through the foramen lacerum into the cranial cavity. Next, it lies in the carotid sulcus on the body of the sphenoid bone.
  • Greater and lesser petrosal nerves (Nervi petrosi major et minor). Additionally, the middle cranial fossa communicates with the facial canal and tympanic canaliculus through the hiatuses for these nerves (Hiatus canalis nervi petrosi majoris/minoris).
  • Glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) — also passes through this opening.

Topography and adjacent structures

The external skull base in the area of the foramen lacerum essentially "receives" the exit and entrance apertures of all major canals of the temporal bone. Adjacent to the foramen lacerum are:

  • Carotid canal (Canalis caroticus) — its external aperture is located nearby, from where the internal carotid artery heads toward the foramen lacerum.
  • Foramen ovale (Foramen ovale) — located on the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, transmits the mandibular nerve and an accessory branch of the meningeal artery.
  • Foramen spinosum (Foramen spinosum) — also located on the greater wing; through it pass the middle meningeal artery, vein, and a branch of the mandibular nerve.

Class and exam questions

What does the foramen lacerum look like on a living skull?

In a living human, it does not gape because it is occupied by a permanent synchondrosis forming the sphenopetrosal fissure. The opening is clearly visible only on a dry (macerated) skull.

Which artery exits into the cranial cavity through the foramen lacerum?

The internal carotid artery exits through it into the cranial cavity. Before doing so, it traverses S-shaped bends inside the carotid canal of the petrous temporal bone, and upon exiting, it lies in the carotid sulcus on the sphenoid bone.

Which nerves pass through the foramen lacerum?

The greater and lesser petrosal nerves, as well as cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal nerve), pass through the foramen lacerum.

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What else to study on this topic

  • Middle cranial fossa (Fossa cranii media)
  • External cranial base (Basis cranii externa)
  • Carotid canal (Canalis caroticus)
  • Petrous part of temporal bone (Pars petrosa)

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Other topics in the "Anatomical Structures" section

General overview of the skullFrontal boneOccipital boneParietal boneEthmoid boneSphenoid boneTemporal boneCanals of the temporal boneMaxillaPalatine boneMandibleSmall bones of the facial skullHyoid boneInternal cranial baseExternal cranial baseOrbitNasal cavityContents of cranial canals, foramina, and fissuresOral cavityPterygopalatine fossaLesser palatine foraminaStylomastoid foramenHypoglossal canalCoronoid process of mandible
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