Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi
2020 , Vol 30 , Num 1
Anatomical Basis in the Midline Suboccipital and Retrosigmoid Approaches
1Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
Posterior cranial fossa extends from the tentorial opening to the foramen magnum and the supratentorial space. It is covered by
the occipital, temporal, parietal and sphenoidal bones. It contains important structures related to consciousness, vital autonomic
functions, motor and sensory activities. All of the cranial nerves are located in this fossa, except the olfactory nerve and the optic
nerve. Its blood supply is formed by the vertebral artery, basillar artery and its branches. Median suboccipital approach, paramedian
suboccipital approach and retrosigmoid (retroauricular) approach are commonly used in the surgery of the posterior cranial fossa.
Recognition of anatomical structures and relations in the posterior cranial fossa during the surgical approaches increases the
surgical success and provides a safer surgery.
Anahtar Kelimeler :
Posterior cranial fossa, Suboccipital approach, Retrosigmoid approach