In anatomy, a fossa (/ˈfɒsə/; plural fossae (/ˈfɒsiː/ or /ˈfɒsaɪ/); from the Latin “fossa”, ditch or trench) is a depression or hollow, usually in a bone, such as the hypophyseal fossa (the depression in the sphenoid bone). Some examples include: In the Skull: Cranial fossa. Anterior cranial fossa.
Which bones contain a fossa?
The anterior cranial fossa consists of three bones: the frontal bone, ethmoid bone and sphenoid bone. It is bounded as follows: Anteriorly and laterally it is bounded by the inner surface of the frontal bone.
What does fossa mean in medical term?
Fossa = a depression or hollow, (literal translation = ditch, trench, Latin) Iliac fossa = the depression in the inner surface of the ileum. Fossa ovalis = depression on wall of the right atrium that separates the right atrium from the left.
Where are the fossa located?
Vulnerable. A relative of the mongoose, the fossa is unique to the forests of Madagascar, an African island in the Indian Ocean. Growing up to 6 feet long from nose to tail tip, and weighing up to 26 pounds, the fossa is a slender-bodied catlike creature with little resemblance to its mongoose cousins.What is the tubercle of a bone?
A tubercle is a small rounded point of a bone. It also refers to a nodule attached to bone, mucous membrane (moist layer lining parts of the body), or skin. The term tubercle is less commonly used to refer to skin irritation resulting from a tuberculosis (TB) infection.
What part of the brain is in the anterior cranial fossa?
The anterior cranial fossa is a depression in the floor of the cranial base which houses the projecting frontal lobes of the brain.
What is vertebral column?
(ver-TEE-brul KAH-lum) The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues that reach from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The vertebral column encloses the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Also called backbone, spinal column, and spine.
What environment does the fossa live in?
Habitat: Fossas are usually associated with undisturbed rainforests, usually at low densities. Diet: The fossa is entirely carnivorous, feeding on various small mammals, birds and reptiles.What is the weakest part of the skull?
Clinical significance The pterion is known as the weakest part of the skull. The anterior division of the middle meningeal artery runs underneath the pterion. Consequently, a traumatic blow to the pterion may rupture the middle meningeal artery causing an epidural haematoma.
Has a fossa ever killed a human?In the wild, a fossa’s face is often the last thing a lemur sees. But no one has ever seen the killing done.
Article first time published onIs a fossa a cat or dog?
The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is the largest carnivorous mammal on the island of Madagascar. They can reach nearly six feet in length, with half of that due to their long tails. They look like a cross between a cat, a dog, and a mongoose.
What is the meaning of Hauser?
: one that promotes or administers housing projects.
What is fissure in anatomy?
1 : a narrow opening or crack of considerable length and depth usually occurring from some breaking or parting a fissure in the earth’s crust. 2a : a natural cleft between body parts or in the substance of an organ. b : a break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane.
What is the meaning of fissure in medical terms?
Fissure: A cleft or groove. A fissure can be normal or abnormal. A fissure in the cerebral cortex is a normal feature. It is a deep fold that involves the entire thickness of the brain wall. A fissure in the anus is abnormal.
What animal eats fossa?
Predators of Fossas include humans and crocodiles.
Where does a fossa sleep?
They hunt both day and night, traveling up to 16 miles in search of prey, more than 50 percent of which is lemurs. The balance of their diet is rodents, lizards, and birds. Fossas rest in tree hollows, caves, or abandoned termite mounds, usually choosing a different sleeping place each night.
What noise does a fossa make?
The only time they seem to vocalize is during breeding: the female mews to attract males; males howl and yowl when competing for a female. A fossa may roar to intimidate a fellow fossa or in defense. Fossa pups make a purring sound when nursing or near their mother.
What is epicondyle?
noun. Anatomy. a rounded protuberance at the end of a bone, serving as a place of attachment for ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
What cells are found in the periosteum?
The inner layer of the periosteum contains osteoblasts (bone-producing cells) and is most prominent in fetal life and early childhood, when bone formation is at its peak.
What are tubercles on fish?
Tubercles are skin nodules made of keratin, the same materials as hair, hooves, and fingernails. They are present on species representing at least 15 families of fishes, including even pet goldfish. In many species, tubercles are found only on males during the breeding season and are shed shortly there after.
What is the function of vertebral column?
The vertebral column, also known as the spinal column, is the central axis of the skeleton in all vertebrates. The vertebral column provides attachments to muscles, supports the trunk, protects the spinal cord and nerve roots and serves as a site for haemopoiesis.
What is the function of the costal facets of the thoracic vertebrae?
The transverse costal facet joins the rib to the transverse process of a vertebra, and the inferior costal facet joins the rib to the lower part of the vertebra. The large opening between the vertebral arch and body is the vertebral foramen, which contains the spinal cord.
What is the function of backbone?
Your spine, or backbone, is your body’s central support structure. It connects different parts of your musculoskeletal system. Your spine helps you sit, stand, walk, twist and bend. Back injuries, spinal cord conditions and other problems can damage the spine and cause back pain.
What is the difference between fossa and cavity?
As nouns the difference between cavity and fossa is that cavity is a hole or hollow depression while fossa is (anatomy) a pit, groove, cavity, or depression, of greater or less depth or fossa can be a carnivorous mammal endemic to madagascar,.
What portion of the brain rests in the middle cranial fossa?
The middle cranial fossa consists of a central portion, which contains the pituitary gland, and two lateral portions, which accommodate the temporal lobes of the brain. Both parts of the fossa are marked by numerous bony landmarks, which will be discussed below.
What are fossa in the human skull?
A cranial fossa is formed by the floor of the cranial cavity. There are three distinct cranial fossae: Anterior cranial fossa (fossa cranii anterior), housing the projecting frontal lobes of the brain. Middle cranial fossa (fossa cranii media), separated from the posterior fossa by the clivus and the petrous crest.
Which bone is most superior?
Anatomical terms of bone In anatomy, the atlas (C1) is the most superior (first) cervical vertebra of the spine and is located in the neck. It is named for Atlas of Greek mythology because, just as Atlas supported the globe, it supports the entire head.
Do skulls have ear holes?
Yes, all mammals and probably all animals have a hole in the skull where the ears are. The ears are on the outside of the skull and the eardrum is still outside the majority of the skull. Since that is where the sound is detected, there has to be a hole for nerves going from the eardrum area to the brain.
What lies deep Pterion?
The pterion is known as ‘the danger area’ on the skull for head injuries. This is because the bone is thin at this site and is grooved by vessels on its internal surface (or may even lie in a bony tunnel here). It is the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery (and vein) that lies deep to the pterion.
What adaptations do Fossas have?
What are adaptations for the fossa? The fossa has flexible ankles that allow it to grasp tree trunks so that it is able to climb tree trunks. The soles of the paws are bare and covered with strong pads,this allows the fossa to get a better grip on branches and prevent a fatal fall.
Do Fossas eat aye ayes?
Predators of Aye Ayes include humans, fossas, and birds of prey.
