Foramen magnum

Definition

The foramen magnum is a large, oval opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord. It serves as a passageway for the medulla oblongata and its surrounding membranes, arteries, and nerves.

Related terms

Medulla Oblongata: The lower part of the brainstem that controls vital life-sustaining functions such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion.

Spinal Cord: A long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem down to the lower back, serving as a major pathway for information traveling between the brain and peripheral nervous system.

Occipital Bone: A cranial bone located at the posterior base of the skull that houses the foramen magnum and contributes to forming joints with cervical vertebrae