Cruciform eminence

Cruciform eminence
Human skull. Position of cruciform eminence is shown in red.
Occipital bone. Inner surface.
Details
Identifiers
Latineminentia cruciformis
TA98A02.1.04.028
TA2574
FMA75754
Anatomical terms of bone

The cruciform eminence (or cruciate eminence) divides the deeply concave internal surface of the occipital bone into four fossae:

  • The upper two fossae are called the cerebral fossae, are triangular and lodge the occipital lobes of the cerebrum.
  • The lower two are called the cerebellar fossae, are quadrilateral and accommodate the hemispheres of the cerebellum.

The upper fossae are separated from the lower fossae by a groove for the transverse sinuses. At the point of intersection between all four fossae is the internal occipital protuberance.