Frontobale

Frontobale is a term used in anatomy and neurosurgery to denote the frontal-basal region of the skull, referring to the portion where the frontal bone contributes to the anterior skull base and where the frontal lobe rests upon the anterior cranial fossa. The term appears in some texts as frontobasal or frontobasal skull base and is used as a descriptive location rather than a single discrete structure.

Anatomy: The frontobale region includes the floor of the anterior cranial fossa, the frontal bone's orbital plates, the cribriform plate of the ethmoid, and adjacent sphenoid contributions at the skull base. It forms the boundary between the frontal lobes and the nasal cavity and orbit. The region contains foramina and nerve paths such as the olfactory nerves passing through the cribriform plate.

Clinical significance: Fractures in this area can cause cerebrospinal fluid leaks through the cribriform plate and may injure the olfactory nerves, leading to anosmia. Tumors such as olfactory groove meningiomas arise in or near the frontobale region. Surgical approaches to lesions in this area include transbasal and endonasal endoscopic methods, reflecting the region’s accessibility from the skull base.

Imaging and assessment: Computed tomography is preferred for evaluating bony details of the frontobale region, while magnetic resonance imaging provides soft-tissue characterization of lesions and neural structures. Imaging guides decisions about surgical planning and the management of skull base pathology.

Terminology: The term is descriptive and not universally standardized; related terms include frontobasal region and anterior skull base.