What is crista galli?

Crista galli is a bony ridge located on the midline of the ethmoid bone in the skull, near the cribriform plate. It serves as an attachment site for the falx cerebri, a fold of dura mater that helps support and protect the brain. The crista galli also helps to divide the left and right sides of the brain.

The name "crista galli" translates to "rooster's comb" in Latin, due to its resemblance to the comb on top of a rooster's head. This bony ridge is an important anatomical landmark for surgeons and radiologists when conducting procedures or interpreting imaging studies of the skull and brain.

The crista galli can vary in size and shape among individuals, but its presence is consistent in the ethmoid bone. In rare cases, an enlarged crista galli can cause headaches or other neurological symptoms due to compression of surrounding structures. However, this is uncommon and typically does not require treatment.