THE SKULL 281 



of the maxillary division of the fifth nerve 

 from the orbit to the face. 



V. The anterior palatine foramen is a large slit- 

 like aperture, extending from the bony bridge 

 of the palate almost to the incisor teeth, and 

 imperfectly separated from its fellow by the 

 palatal processes of the premaxillee. Through 

 it pass the naso-palatine branch of the maxil- 

 lary division of the fifth nerve, and the naso- 

 palatine canal. 



vi. The posterior palatine foramen is a small 

 hole in the bony palate, at the junction of its 

 maxillary and palatine portions : it transmits 

 the anterior palatine branch of the maxillary 

 division of the fifth nerve, and the blood- 

 vessels of the palate. 



vii. The foramen lacerum medium is an irregular 

 aperture on the under surface of the skull, 

 between the ali-sphenoid and the periotic, just 

 in front of the tympanic bulla. Its anterior 

 part, which represents the separate foramen 

 ovale of other mammals, transmits the mandi- 

 bular division of the fifth nerve. 



viii. The stylomastoid foramen is a small aperture 

 about the middle of the posterior border of 

 the tympanic bone, between it and the mastoid 

 process of the periotic. Through it the main 

 trunk of the seventh, or facial, nerve leaves 

 the skull. 



ix. The foramen lacerum posterius is an irregular 

 fissure on the under surface of the hinder 

 end of the skuU, between the occipital condyle 

 and the tympanic bulla. It transmits the 

 glossopharyngeal, pneumogastric, and spinal 

 accessory nerves, and the internal jugular 

 vein. 



X. The condylar foramina are a couple of holes 

 running obHquely through the ex-occipital. 



