posterior fossa

what is posterior fossa and how is it treated, is this a life treatening ailment.please tell me there is a cure.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

The posterior fossa is not a disease or condition. It is an anatomical area, specifically, a depression on the interior, back portion of the base of the skull, near the cerebellum.

The posterior fossa houses the brainstem, which contains all the cranial nerve nuclei as well as many efferent and afferent fiber tracts connecting the brain with the rest of the body, and the cerebellum, which is involved in coordination for all motor functions.

A lot of conditions can develop in the posterior fossa, including tumors of the brain tissue, cranial nerves, meninges, or the skull, infections and inflammation of the aforementioned tissues, or cerebrovascular disease.

MRI can be helpful in diagnosing conditions occurring in the posterior fossa.

Hope this helps.