Skull base

Last edited and medically reviewed by Alaric Steinmetz on 07.05.2026

Synonyms: Skull base, Basis cranii

The skull base constitutes the inferior part of the neurocranium, on which the brain rests[^1].

Anatomy

The basal surfaces of the brain correspond bilaterally to three bony fossae:

The basal surface of the frontal lobe lies in the anterior cranial fossa
The Temporal lobe in the middle cranial fossa
The inferior surface of the cerebellum in the posterior cranial fossa

Figure

Schematic illustration of the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae — Schematic illustration of the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossae. Illustration adapted from Gray's Anatomy.

Article navigation

On this page

Table of contents

Media in this article