Abstract: Objective    To provide anatomical understandings for the positioning and navigation of lateral skull base surgery by observing and measuring the anatomical structures of the lateral skull base. Methods    The anatomical structures and relationship among jugular bulb, internal carotid artery, and the neighbouring nerves and vessles in 10 adult corpse heads (20sides ) immersed in 10％ formaldehyde were studied. Results    Jugular bulb could be divided into protrudent or flat type. The glossopharyngeal nerve usually lied in the front of the inside of jugular bulb. Vagus nerve and the accessory nerve usually lied in the inside of it. The average distances from carotid to the tensor muscle, mandibular nerve and middle meningeal artery were  2.2mm, 6.9mm, and 6.8mm, respectively. Conclusion    In the lateral skill base, there are many large blood vessels and nerves.With the full understandings, the surgeons can avoid the unnecessary damages in surgery.

Key words: Lateral skull base； Foramina jugulare； Internal carotid artery, Applied anatomy