The internal cranial base defines the inner aspect of the skull base. The internal cranial base is characterized by its complex anatomy and irregular appearance, featuring important landmarks such as the sella turcica (Read more!), which houses the pituitary gland, and the clivus (Read more!), a sloping region that supports the brainstem. It also includes several foramina and canals, such as the foramen magnum (Read more!), optic canals (Read more!), and jugular foramina (Read more!), through which critical structures like the cranial nerves, blood vessels, and spinal cord pass.

Six bones of the neurocranium contribute to the internal cranial base, including four unpaired bones and two paired bones. The unpaired bones are the frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and occipital bones, while the paired bones that form the internal cranial base are the temporal and parietal bones.

Overall, the internal cranial base supports the cerebellum, brainstem, and the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum. It plays a crucial role in protecting the brain and facilitating communication between the brain and the rest of the body.