a longitudinal hollow on the posterior surface of the superior portion (root) of the medial pterygoid plate; it gives origin to the tensor veli palati muscle. SYN: Cruveilhier fossa, fossa navicularis Cruveilhier, fossa scaphoidea ossis sphenoidalis.

The scaphoid fossa is a shallow depression on the superior surface of the sphenoid bone, a complex bone situated at the base of the skull. The fossa is located at the center of the sphenoid bone, in front of the sella turcica, which is a bony saddle-like structure that houses the pituitary gland.

The scaphoid fossa is an important landmark for medical professionals who are performing surgical procedures or imaging studies in the skull region. It serves as a guide for identifying the location of the internal carotid artery, which is a major blood vessel that supplies the brain. The artery runs through a bony canal called the carotid canal, which is located just posterior to the scaphoid fossa.

The scaphoid fossa also provides attachment for the tentorium cerebelli, a tough membrane that separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum. The tentorium cerebelli is attached to the superior border of the scaphoid fossa by a fold of dura mater, a thick fibrous membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord.

The sphenoid bone and its structures play a crucial role in supporting and protecting the brain and its associated structures. Understanding the anatomy and landmarks of the sphenoid bone is important for various medical fields, including neurosurgery, radiology, and ophthalmology.