superior orbital fissure (sphenoidal formamen)

Introduction

A cleft between the greater & lesser wings of the sphenoid bone on either side, establishing a channel of communication between the middle cranial fossa & the orbit.

It gives passage to:

• oculomotor nerve (CN III)
• trochlear nerve (CN IV)
• ophthalmic nerve (CN V-1)
• abducens nerve (CN VI)
• ophthalmic veins

More general terms

• foramen

Additional terms

• cranial nerve VI; abducens nerve (CN VI)
• oculomotor nerve (CN III)
• ophthalmic nerve (CN V-1)
• ophthalmic vein
• trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Component of

• sphenoid bone