A delicate central bone of the skull base that contributes to the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and nasal septum.
Structure
The bone has a cribriform plate pierced by olfactory nerve fibers, a perpendicular plate that forms the upper nasal septum, and two labyrinths of ethmoid air cells with the superior and middle nasal conchae projecting medially.
Function
The cribriform plate transmits the olfactory nerves, while the air cells lighten the skull and warm and humidify inhaled air.
Clinical note
Severe head trauma can fracture the cribriform plate and tear the dura, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to leak into the nose.