View of the left cavernous sinus wall after removal of overlying meningeal dura. In this image, one can see the oculomotor nerve superiorly, followed by the trochlear nerve just inferior to it. Deep to these nerves is the cavernous venous sinus, which contains the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery after it exits the carotid canal in the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The trigeminal nerve crosses the petrous bone near its apex and expands as the trigeminal ganglion within Meckel's cave. (Image courtesy of AL Rhoton, Jr.)