Posterior cranial fossa

The posterior cranial fossa (lat. fossa cranii posterior) is a depression inside the back of the skull.

The posterior cranial fossa has the following sections:

1. The occipital fossa (fossa cerebellaris) contains the cerebellum.

2. Pyramids of the temporal bones (pyramides ossium temporalium).

3. The jugular fossa (fossa jugularis) is the passage for the jugular vein.

The posterior cranial fossa is separated from the middle cranial fossa by the crest of the occipital bone, as well as by the prominence of the temporal and sphenoid bones. The posterior cranial fossa contains the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, cranial nerves and venous sinuses.