The '''foramen magnum''' is formed by the occipital bones and is the spinal cord's passage to the neck and body. The '''alar ligaments''' run through the foramen magnum together with vertebral arteries, spinal arteries and tectoral membranes. The '''hypoglossal canal''' is between paracondylar and condylar processes on lateral part of occipital bone. The '''hypoglossal nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN XII]]), '''condylar artery''' and '''condylar vein''' all pass through. The '''optic chiasma''' runs in a transverse depression behind the '''sphenoid rostrum''' on presphenoid bone and facilitates the path of the '''optic nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN II]]). | The '''foramen magnum''' is formed by the occipital bones and is the spinal cord's passage to the neck and body. The '''alar ligaments''' run through the foramen magnum together with vertebral arteries, spinal arteries and tectoral membranes. The '''hypoglossal canal''' is between paracondylar and condylar processes on lateral part of occipital bone. The '''hypoglossal nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN XII]]), '''condylar artery''' and '''condylar vein''' all pass through. The '''optic chiasma''' runs in a transverse depression behind the '''sphenoid rostrum''' on presphenoid bone and facilitates the path of the '''optic nerve''' ([[Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology|CN II]]). |