The skull base contains several foramina through which passes structures (e.g. the cranial nerves) into or out of the skull vault.

Foramen		Primary structures passing through
Cribiform plate		fibres of CN I
Optic canal		CN II, ophthalmic artery
Superior orbital fissure		CN III, IV, Va, VI, superior & inferior ophthalmic veins
Foramen rotundum		CN Vb
Foramen ovale		Otic ganglion (inferiorly) Vc (cranial nerve) Accessory meningeal artery Lesser petrosal nerve Emissary veins
Foramen spinosum		middle meningeal artery
Foramen lacerum		nerve and artery of pterygoid canal
Carotid canal		internal carotid artery
Internal auditory meatus		CN VII, VIII
Stylomastoid foramen		Where CN VII exits the skull
Jugular foramen		CN IX, X, XI, jugular vein
Hypoglossal foramen		CN XII
Foramen magnum		brain stem, vertebral arteries