Microsurgical anatomy of the jugular foramen region.

The popularization of skull base approaches for lesions at the jugular foramen requires a thorough understanding of the normal anatomic features of this region. We present a series of color photographs with a review of the vital structures at the skull base in the region of the jugular foramen exposed via the infratemporal fossa approach. The jugular bulb and its relationship to the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth cranial nerves and to the internal carotid artery and otic capsule are demonstrated. All relationships are described in the lateral surgical position. The clinical usefulness of a thorough understanding of these anatomic associations is discussed.