, pl. maculae cribrosae [TA] one of three areas on the wall of the vestibule of the labyrinth, marked by numerous foramina giving passage to nerve filaments supplying portions of the membranous labyrinth: macula cribrosa inferior [TA], located in the posterior bony ampulla for passage of posterior ampullary nerve fibers; macula cribrosa media [TA], area near the base of the cochlea through which the saccular nerve fibers pass; macula cribrosa superior [TA], perforated area above the elliptic recess for passage of the utriculoampullary nerve fibers. Macula cribrosa quarta is a name sometimes applied to the opening for the cochlear nerve.