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Skull base embryology: a multidisciplinary review

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Abstract

Introduction

The skull base represents a central and complex bone structure of the skull and forms the floor of the cranial cavity on which the brain lies. Anatomical knowledge of this particular region is important for understanding several pathologic conditions as well as for planning surgical procedures. Embryology of the cranial base is of great interest due to its pronounced impact on the development of adjacent regions including the brain, neck, and craniofacial skeleton.

Materials and methods

Information from human and comparative anatomy, anthropology, embryology, surgery, and computed modelling was integrated to provide a perspective to interpret skull base formation and variability within the cranial functional and structural system.

Results and conclusions

The skull base undergoes an elaborate sequence of development stages and represents a key player in skull, face and brain development. Furthering our holistic understanding of the embryology of the skull base promises to expand our knowledge and enhance our ability to treat associated anomalies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5B 1W8

    Antonio Di Ieva & Michael D. Cusimano

  2. Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Systematic Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Antonio Di Ieva, Thomas Haider & Manfred Tschabitscher

  3. Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana, Burgos, Spain

    Emiliano Bruner

  4. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Luigi F. Rodella & Manfred Tschabitscher

  5. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    John M. Lee

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  1. Antonio Di Ieva
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  2. Emiliano Bruner
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Correspondence to Antonio Di Ieva.

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Di Ieva, A., Bruner, E., Haider, T. et al. Skull base embryology: a multidisciplinary review. Childs Nerv Syst 30, 991–1000 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-014-2411-x

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