In anatomy, a fossa (/ˈfɒsə/; plural fossae (/ˈfɒsiː/ or /ˈfɒsaɪ/); from the Latin "fossa", ditch or trench) is a depression or hollow, usually in a bone, such as the hypophyseal fossa (the depression in the sphenoid bone). Some examples include:
In the Skull:
Cranial fossaAnterior cranial fossaMiddle cranial fossaInterpeduncular fossaPosterior cranial fossaHypophyseal fossaTemporal bone FossaMandibular fossaJugular fossaInfratemporal fossaPterygopalatine fossaPterygoid fossaLacrimal fossaFossa for lacrimal glandFossa for lacrimal sacMandibular fossaScaphoid fossaJugular fossaCondyloid fossaRhomboid fossaIn the Torso:
Fossa ovalis (heart)Infraclavicular fossaIliac fossaOvarian fossaPelvic fossaFossa navicularisNavicular fossa of male urethraFossa of vestibule of vaginaIschioanal fossaIn the Upper Limb:
Supraclavicular fossaRadial fossaOn the scapula:Glenoid fossaSupraspinous fossaInfraspinous fossaSubscapular fossaCubital fossa (a.k.a. Antecubital fossa)Olecranon fossaIn the Lower Limb:
Fossa ovalis (thigh)Trochanteric fossaAcetabular fossaPopliteal fossaIntercondyloid fossaAnterior intercondyloid fossaPosterior intercondyloid fossaIntercondylar fossa of femur