Petroclival Clinoidal Folds and Arachnoidal Membranes of the Anteromedial Incisural Space: Clinical Anatomy for Neuro Critical Care

Abstract

A systematic and narrative literature review was performed, focusing attention on the anatomy of the area located at the junction of the sphenoid and the basal portion of the temporal bone (petrous bone, petrous apex, upper petro-clival region) encircled by the free edge of the tentorium, the insertion of the tentorium itself to the petrous apex and the anterior and posterior clinoid processes that give rise to three distinct dural folds or ligaments: the anterior petroclinoid ligament, the posterior petroclinoid ligament and the interclinoid ligament. These dural folds constitute the posterior portion of the roof of the cavernous sinus denominated “the oculomotor triangle”. The main purpose of this review study was to describe this anatomical region, particularly in the light of the relationships between the anterior margin of the free edge of the tentorium and the above-mentioned components of the sphenoid and petrous bone.

Keywords

• clinoid processes
• petroclival folds
• oculomotor triangle
• anterior petroclinoid ligament
• posterior petroclinoid ligament
• interclinoid ligament