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Cranial Nerve V: The Trigeminal Nerve Stemming from the lateral superior margin of the left and right side of the pons, this nerve branches into three: V/I ophthalmic, V/II maxillary and V/III mandibular nerves. These branches exit the skull through the superior orbital fissure (V/I), the foramen rotundum (V/II) and the foramen ovale (V/III). This nerve governs the sensory innervation of the face, sinuses and teeth.
(From Wikipedia). The internal carotid artery passes superiorly from the carotid canal in the base of the skull, emerging via that part of the foramen lacerum which is not occluded by cartilage. The artery of pterygoid canal, the nerve of pterygoid canal and some venous drainage also pass through the foramen lacerum. The ascending pharyngeal artery is one of three possible meningeal branches of this vessel. 2  Lastly, some emissary veins pass through the foramen lacerum. 3  These connect the extracranial pterygoid plexus with the intracranial cavernous sinus and present an unopposed route for infection.