Identify the function of the anatomical structure indicated by the arrow in the image below.
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Options:
explanation: The image shows a basal view of the skull base, with the front of the skull at the top, the occipital bone at the bottom, and the foramen magnum in the centre. The glossopharyngeal nerve leaves the skull via the jugular foramen, a large irregularly shaped opening found at the junction between the petrous part of the temporal bone and the occipital bone. However, the structure indicated by the blue arrow is the foramen ovale, which is a large oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteromedial to the foramen spinosum. It allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). 
name: Allows the passage of the glossopharyngeal nerve out of the skull
label: d
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a basal view of the skull base, with the front of the skull at the top, the occipital bone at the bottom, and the foramen magnum in the centre. The middle meningeal artery enters the skull through the foramen spinosum, which is a small opening within the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. It is found posterolateral to the structure indicated by the blue arrow, which is the foramen ovale. The foramen ovale is a large oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteromedial to the foramen spinosum. It allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). 
name: Allows the passage of the middle meningeal artery into the skull
label: b
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a basal view of the skull base, with the front of the skull at the top, the occipital bone at the bottom, and the foramen magnum in the centre. The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) leaves the skull through the foramen rotudum, a large round opening found in the grater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteromedial to the structure indicated by the blue arrow which is the foramen ovale. The foramen ovale a large oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteromedial to the foramen spinosum. It allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). 
name: Allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
label: c
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a basal view of the skull base, with the front of the skull at the top, the occipital bone at the bottom, and the foramen magnum in the centre. The vestibulocochlear nerve enters the skull via the acoustic meatus, an opening found in the petrous part of the temporal bone. However, the structure indicated by the blue arrow is the foramen ovale, which is a large oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteromedial to the foramen spinosum. It allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).
name: Allows the passage of the vestibulocochlear nerve into the skull
label: e
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a basal view of the skull base, with the front of the skull at the top, the occipital bone at the bottom, and the foramen magnum in the centre. The structure indicated by the blue arrow is the foramen ovale, which is a large oval opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, anteromedial to the foramen spinosum. It allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3). 
name: Allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
label: a
answer: yes

Correct answer: a