cribriform plate
Nasal nerve passage
The cribriform plate is a thin, perforated bone forming part of the skull floor, separating the nasal cavity from the brain.
Its tiny holes allow olfactory nerve fibers to pass through, connecting smell receptors in the nose to the brain.
The term comes from Latin for sieve-shaped, describing its riddled appearance.
Nerve conveying smell signals
- smellOlfactory perception
- anosmiaTotal olfactory loss
- scentAirborne odor detected
- odorPerceived atmospheric emission
aroma · chemosensory · sniff · pheromones · fragrance · sensory neurons
Bottom of the cranium
- nasal cavityAir channel in nose
- orbitCurved celestial path
- sphenoidButterfly-shaped cranial bone
- frontal boneSkull plate above eyes
vomer · maxilla · foramina · lamina · nasal septum · cranium · osteology
Break in head bone
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- raccoon eyesDarkened circles from trauma
- rhinorrheaExcess nasal mucus flow
- traumaLasting psychological wound
Full of tiny holes
- foraminaPlural anatomical passages
- porousAllowing passage of fluids
- fenestratedHaving openings or holes
- aperturesHoles or gaps
mesh · lattice · permeable · holes · openings · filtration · passage · channels
Brain and cord coverings
- dura materOutermost cerebral membrane
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- cranial nervesTwelve brainstem-emerging neural pairs
- central nervous systemBrain plus spinal cord
olfactory nerve
Nerve conveying smell signals
odor · aroma · chemosensory · sniff · pheromones · fragrance · sensory neurons
skull base
Bottom of the cranium
- nasal cavityAir channel in nose
- orbitCurved celestial path
- sphenoidButterfly-shaped cranial bone
frontal bone · vomer · maxilla · foramina · lamina · nasal septum · cranium · osteology
skull fracture
Break in head bone
- meningitisMembrane inflammation around brain
- raccoon eyesDarkened circles from trauma
- rhinorrheaExcess nasal mucus flow
trauma · head injury · neurosurgery · anosmia
sievelike
Full of tiny holes
- foraminaPlural anatomical passages
- porousAllowing passage of fluids
- fenestratedHaving openings or holes
apertures · mesh · lattice · permeable · holes · openings · filtration · passage · channels · microscopic pores
meninges
Brain and cord coverings
- dura materOutermost cerebral membrane
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- cranial nervesTwelve brainstem-emerging neural pairs
- skull anatomyskull, cranium, frontal bone, braincase, mandible
- skull partsfrontal bone, skull cap, coronal suture, lambdoid suture, fontanelle
- X-ray anatomyskull, ribs, pelvis, sternum, clavicle
- nasal anatomynasal cavity, nasal septum, nostril, nostrils, nasal passage
- skeletal openingsforamen, foramen ovale, mental foramen, infraorbital foramen, spinal canal
- skull baseposterior fossa, foramen ovale