The carotid cistern is one of the basal (subarachnoid) cisterns that surrounds the supraclinoid internal carotid artery.
Gross anatomy
Relations and/or Boundaries
The carotid cistern lies between these brain structures:
medially: the optic chiasm and nerve
laterally: the mesial temporal lobe
superiorly: the anterior perforated substance
The carotid cistern borders the following named CSF spaces:
laterally: the Sylvian cistern/fissure
posteriorly: the crural cistern and (separated by the Liliequist membrane) interpeduncular cistern
medially: the chiasmatic (suprasellar) and lamina terminalis cisterns