Which cranial bone contains the foramen magnum?

Prepare for AAMI Anatomy 1. Utilize flashcards, multiple choice questions with explanations, and detailed study aids. Succeed on your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which cranial bone contains the foramen magnum?

The large opening that lets the brainstem become the spinal cord is found in the occipital bone. This bone forms the posterior and base of the skull, with the foramen magnum sitting at its anterior edge to connect the cranial cavity with the vertebral canal. Through this opening pass the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord, and the surrounding meninges extend through as well. The vertebral arteries also pass nearby to join and form the basilar artery in this region. The temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones have other openings for different nerves and vessels, not the foramen magnum.

The large opening that lets the brainstem become the spinal cord is found in the occipital bone. This bone forms the posterior and base of the skull, with the foramen magnum sitting at its anterior edge to connect the cranial cavity with the vertebral canal. Through this opening pass the medulla oblongata and the spinal cord, and the surrounding meninges extend through as well. The vertebral arteries also pass nearby to join and form the basilar artery in this region. The temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones have other openings for different nerves and vessels, not the foramen magnum.

More practice questions