Skull structures

Coronal Suture

Location: In between the Frontal and Parietal Bone; Function: Fuses the frontal and parietal bone.

Ethmoid

Part of the skull that supports the olfactory bulb and allows olfactory nerves to pass through.

Sella Turcica

Location: In the midline of the sphenoid; Function: Supports and protects the pituitary gland.

Carotid Canal

A small opening that transmits the internal carotid artery and allows travel.

Mandibular Ramus

Location: Inferior and posterior of mandible; Function: Allows vertical extension and facilitates chewing.

Foramen Ovale

Location: Anterior to the foramen spinosum; Function: Passageway for neurovascular structures.

External Acoustic Meatus

Location: On temporal bone; Function: Funnels sound waves into the ear and amplifies them.

Mandibular Fossa

Location: Along the inferior and lateral aspect of the temporal bone; Function: Provides surface for articulation and movement of the mandible.

Styloid Process

Location: Inferior to the external auditory meatus; Function: Attachment point for neck muscles.

Foramen Spinosum

Found in the middle cranial fossa; allows the passage of middle meningeal artery and vein.

Internal Acoustic Meatus

Allows passageway for vestibulocochlear and facial nerves; located superior to the styloid process.

Sagittal Suture

Location: Connects the two paired parietal bones; Function: Separates the right and left halves of the skull.

Jugular Foramen

Location: At the junction of the occipital and temporal bones; Function: Allows passage of the jugular vein.

Cribriform Plate

Found in the Ethmoid bone; supports the olfactory bulb and allows olfactory nerves to pass.

Mastoid Process

A bony projection that serves as an attachment point for muscles and contains air cells.

Mental Foramen

Opening on the mandible for the mental nerve; allows sensation to the lower lip and chin.

Hypoglossal Canal

Located deep to the occipital condyles; transmits the hypoglossal nerve for tongue movement.

Alveolar Margins

Location: Superior to upper teeth; Function: Connects teeth to the jaw.

External Occipital Protuberance

Location: Medial on the occipital bone; Function: Attachment point for the nuchal ligament and trapezius muscle.

Foramen Rotundum

Location: Medial and anterior to foramen ovale; allows maxillary nerve passage.

Lambdoid Suture

Location: Back of the skull; connects occipital bone to parietal bones; allows for skull expansion.

Crista Galli

Projects from the Ethmoid's superior surface; function as an attachment point for brain membranes.

Foramen Lacerum

Located in middle cranial fossa; provides pathway for structures between cranial cavity and neck.

Zygomatic Processes

Bridge between temporal and zygomatic bone; function in jaw movement and facial structure.

Middle Nasal Conchae

Curved bony plates that project into the nasal cavity; increase turbulence of air.

Optic Canal

Located in the sphenoid bone; allows optic nerve and ophthalmic artery to pass.

Squamous Suture

Between the temporal and parietal bones; completely fuses the two bones.

Occipital Condyle

Located on both sides of the foramen magnus; allows head attachment and movement.

Foramen Magnum

Located on the occipital bone; connects spinal cord with the brain.