Identify the statement which correctly describes the function of the anatomical structure indicated by the blue arrow in the following image:
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Options:
explanation: The image shows a view of the sphenoid bone from the inside of the skull, with the lesser wing in the centre of the image and the greater wing surrounding it. The glossopharyngeal nerve leaves the skull via the jugular foramen, a large opening of an irregular shape found at the junction between the petrous part of the temporal bone and the occipital bone. However, the blue arrow indicates the foramen rotundum, found inferior to the superior orbital fissure and superomedial to the foramen ovale, both of which are visible in the image. The foramen rotundum allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) out of the skull.
name: Allows the passage of the glossopharyngeal nerve out of the skull
label: e
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a view of the sphenoid bone from the inside of the skull, with the lesser wing in the centre of the image and the greater wing surrounding it. The ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V1) exits the skull through the superior orbital fissure, which is found immediately superior to the structure indicated by the arrow, the foramen rotundum. The foramen rotundum allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) out of the skull.
name: Allows the passage of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve
label: b
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a view of the sphenoid bone from the inside of the skull, with the lesser wing in the centre of the image and the greater wing surrounding it. The middle meningeal artery is a branch of the external carotid artery, which enters the skull through the foramen spinosum, a very small opening in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, immediately posterior to the foramen ovale. However, the blue arrow indicates the foramen rotundum, found inferior to the superior orbital fissure and superomedial to the foramen ovale, both of which are visible in the image. The foramen rotundum allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) out of the skull.
name: Allows the passage of the middle meningeal artery into the skull
label: d
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a view of the sphenoid bone from the inside of the skull, with the lesser wing in the centre of the image and the greater wing surrounding it. The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3) exits the skull through the foramen ovale, which is found inferolateral to the structure indicated by the blue arrow, the foramen rotundum. The foramen rotundum allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) out of the skull.
name: Allows the passage of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
label: c
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a view of the sphenoid bone from the inside of the skull, with the lesser wing in the centre of the image and the greater wing surrounding it. The blue arrow indicates the foramen rotundum, which is found inferior to the superior orbital fissure and superomedial to the foramen ovale (both of which are visible in the image). The foramen rotundum allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) out of the skull.
name: Allows the passage of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
label: a
answer: yes

Correct answer: a