Imaging of the skull base: anatomy and pathology.

The skull base is a critical landmark, separating intracranial from extracranial structures. This intricate anatomic structure has several foramina and crossing structures, which can be a challenge for novices. Comprehensive anatomic knowledge is critical for narrowing the differential diagnosis of lesions that may affect the skull base. These lesions can be divided into major categories to help in a systematic approach for skull base pathology evaluation.