| fossa cranii media | A butterfly-shaped portion of the internal base of the skull posterior to the sphenoidal ridges and limbus and anterior to the crests of the petrous part of the temporal bones and dorsum sellae; it lodges the temporal lobes of the brain in the lateral portions, and the hypophysis centrally. Synonym: fossa cranii media. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| fossa cranii posterior | The internal base of the skull posterior to the crest of the petrous part of the temporal bones and the dorsum sellae and anterior to the grooves for the transverse sinuses, where the cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata rest. Synonym: fossa cranii posterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa cubitalis | The fossa in front of the elbow, bounded laterally and medially by the humeral origins of the extensors and flexors of the forearm, respectively, and superiorly by an imaginary line connecting the humeral condyles. Synonym: fossa cubitalis, antecubital space, chelidon, triangle of elbow. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa digastrica | A hollow on the posterior surface of the base of the mandible, on either side of the median plane, giving attachment to the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. Synonym: fossa digastrica. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa ductus venosi | A wide groove located posteriorly on the undersurface of the foetal liver between the caudate and left lobes; it lodges the ductus venosus and becomes the fissure of the ligamentum venosum in the adult. Synonym: fossa ductus venosi. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa epigastrica | The slight depression in the midline just inferior to the xiphoid process of the sternum. Synonym: fossa epigastrica, pit of stomach, scrobiculus cordis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa for gallbladder | A depression on the visceral surface of the liver anteriorly, between the quadrate and the right lobes, lodging the gallbladder. Synonym: fossa vesicae biliaris, gallbladder fossa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa for incus | A small depression in the lower and posterior part of the epitympanic recess that lodges the short limb of the incus. Synonym: fossa for incus, incudal fossa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa glandulae lacrimalis | A hollow in the orbital plate of the frontal bone, formed by the overhanging margin and zygomatic process, lodging the lacrimal gland. Synonym: fossa glandulae lacrimalis, fossa of lacrimal gland. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa hyaloidea | A depression on the anterior surface of the vitreous body in which lies the lens. Synonym: fossa hyaloidea, lenticular fossa, patellar fossa of vitreous. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa hypophysialis | Fossa of the sphenoid bone housing the pituitary gland. See: sella turcica. Synonym: fossa hypophysialis, pituitary fossa. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa iliaca | The smooth inner surface of the ilium above the arcuate line, giving attachment to the iliacus muscle. Synonym: fossa iliaca. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa iliacosubfascialis | A peritoneal recess between the psoas muscle and the crest of the ilium. Synonym: Biesiadecki's fossa, fossa iliacosubfascialis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa incisiva | The depression in the midline of the bony palate behind the central incisors into which the incisive canals open. Synonym: fossa incisiva. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fossa incudis | A small depression in the lower and posterior part of the epitympanic recess that lodges the short limb of the incus. Synonym: fossa for incus, incudal fossa. (05 Mar 2000) |