Overview
The interpeduncular fossa (or interpeduncular cistern) is a rhomboid-shaped CSF-filled subarachnoid cistern at the base of the brain, between the cerebral peduncles.
Boundaries
- Anteriorly: optic chiasma and leaves of the Liliequist membrane
- Anterolaterally: the converging optic tracts
- Posterolaterally: the diverging cerebral peduncles – thus able to communicate with the crural cisterns and ambient cisterns laterally
- Posteriorly: the anterosuperior surface of the pons
- Floor: posterior perforated substance, corpora mamillaria, tuber cinereum, infundibulum and the pituitary gland
- Superiorly: the diencephalic leaf – separating the interpeduncular fossa form the suprasellar cistern above
- Inferiorly: the mesencephalic leaf – separating it from the prepontine cistern below
Contents
- Oculomotor nerve – proximal portion
- Circle of Willis
- Distal basilar artery
- Origin of the posterior cerebral artery
- Origin of the superior cerebellar artery
Clinical Significance
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage – the interpeduncular cistern is a dependent space in the supine position
- Common location for neurocutaneous melanosis