classified the depth into three categories. type 1: has a depth of 1–3 mm (26.3% of population) type 2: has a depth of 4–7 mm (73.3% of population) type 3: has a depth of 8–16 mm (0.5% of population) type 4: has asymmetric depths (described by Stammberger) Function The cribriform plate is perforated by olfactory foramina, which allow for the passage of the olfactory nerves to the roof of the nasal cavity. This conveys information from smell receptors to the brain. The foramina at the medial part of the groove allow the passage of the nerves to the upper part of the nasal septum while the foramina at the lateral part transmit the nerves to the superior nasal concha. Clinical significance A fractured cribriform plate (anterior skull trauma) can result in leaking of cerebrospinal fluid into the nose and loss of sense of smell. The tiny apertures of the plate transmitting the olfactory nerve become the route of ascent for a pathogen, Naegleria fowleri. This amoeba tends to destroy the olfactory bulb and the adjacent inferior surface of the frontal lobe of the brain. This surface initially becomes the site of proliferation of the trophozoites of Naegleria fowleri and their subsequent spread to the rest of the brain and CSF. Because of its initial involvement and trophozoite presence in early phases of Naegleria fowleri infection, flushing of this region with saline using a device, to obtain Naegleria fowleri for diagnostic PCR and microscopic viewing, has been proposed for patients affected by naegleriasis, by (Baig AM., et al.) in a recent publication. Researchers have suggested the same route to administer drugs at an early phase of infection by using a "Transcribrial Device" that has been proposed to kill this pathogen at the place of its maximum proliferation. In 2017 the inventor of this device suggested that after slight modifications this method could be effective in delivery of stem cells to the brain as well. A recent Australian study has shown that the bacterium causing the tropical disease melioidosis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, can also invade the brain via the olfactory nerve within 24 h by traversing the cribriform plate. Etymology The cribriform plate is named after its resemblance to a sieve (from Latin cribrum, "sieve" + -form). It is also known as the horizontal lamina, and the lamina cribrosa. Other animals The cribriform plate is found in every mammal that has been studied.