Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: IntroductionThe term cornucopia has been used anatomically to describe the area around the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle. First proposed by Vincent Bochdalek in 1849, the name reflects the resemblance of the rhomboid lip to a horn and the choroid plexus protruding through the foramen of Luschka to its contents. While widely adopted in Central European anatomical tradition, the term remains little known elsewhere. This study revisits the mythological and anatomical origins of the term and explores its relevance in microneurosurgical anatomy.ObjectiveTo investigate the historical, mythological, and anatomical foundations of the term cornucopia and assess its applicability as a microsurgical landmark in the posterior fossa.MethodsA review of classical mythology, historical anatomical literature, and modern microsurgical dissections was performed. Comparative analysis of cadaveric specimens and microsurgical and endoscopic views of the cerebellopontine angle was undertaken to correlate the dual components of the cornucopia — the rhomboid lip (“horn”) and extraventricular choroid plexus (“fruit”) —, with surgical perspectives.ResultsThe cornucopia represents a compound landmark that results from the combination of two anatomical structures recognizable in their own right. Because its appearance varies with surgical angle: antero-lateral views highlight the choroid plexus (fruit), while postero-lateral approaches reveal the rhomboid lip (horn) this combination provides for enhanced orientation that might be meaningful during retrosigmoid, telovelar, and endoscopic-assisted approaches to the cerebellopontine angle.ConclusionThe cornucopia, rooted in mythology and introduced by Bochdalek, remains a useful anatomical landmark. Its dual composition offers abundant guidance in posterior fossa surgery.
DOI: 10.37085/nsa.2026.5
Language: English
Subfield: Anatomy
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204232228