Facial Bones and Vertebral Column Anatomy

Flashcards covering key anatomical terms and definitions related to the facial bones and vertebral column.

Zygomatic Bone

Also known as the cheek bones, articulates with the temporal bone, maxilla, and frontal bone.

Temporal Process

Extends posteriorly to form the anterior portion of the zygomatic arch.

Lacrimal Bone

Part of the medial wall of the orbit (eye socket).

Nasal Bone

Forms the bridge of the nose and articulates with the medial edge of the maxilla.

Maxillary Bone

Forms the upper jaw, with left and right halves joining together.

Infraorbital Foramen

Foramen located inferior to the eye socket.

Alveolar Margin

Part of the maxilla that articulates with upper teeth.

Palatine Process

Anterior half of the hard palate of the mouth, articulates with the horizontal plate of the palatine bone.

Mandible

Forms the entire lower jaw.

Mandibular Ramus

Vertical posterior aspect of the mandible.

Mental Foramen

Hole on the anterior side of the mandible body.

Mandibular Foramen

Hole located in the posterior angle of the mandible.

Mandibular Condyle

Posterior projection at the superior end of the ramus that forms a joint with the mandibular fossa.

Coronoid Process

Anterior projection at the superior end of the ramus of the mandible.

Vomer

Forms the lower portion of the nasal septum.

Inferior Nasal Concha

Located on the inferior/lateral walls of the nasal cavity.

Palatine Bone

Has a horizontal plate that forms the posterior half of the hard palate.

Hyoid Bone

Sits inferior to the skull and superior to the larynx; does not articulate with any other bones.

Cervical Vertebrae

Consists of 7 vertebrae, denoted as C1-C7.

Thoracic Vertebrae

Contains 12 vertebrae, denoted as T1-T12.

Lumbar Vertebrae

Comprises 5 vertebrae, denoted as L1-L5.

Sacrum

A single bone formed from five fused vertebrae.

Coccyx

A single bone formed from three to five fused vertebrae, commonly known as the tailbone.

Vertebral Body

The weight-bearing center of a vertebra.

Vertebral Foramen

Central circle that forms the vertebral canal when stacked.

Spinous Process

Posterior projection of a vertebra.

Transverse Process

Lateral projections from a vertebra.

Pedicles

Connects the transverse process to the vertebral body.

Lamina

Connects the transverse process to the spinous process.

Superior Articular Facet

Flat surface that articulates with the superior neighboring vertebra.

Inferior Articular Facet

Flat surface that articulates with the inferior neighboring vertebra.

Intervertebral Foramen

Lateral opening between vertebrae; an exit for spinal nerves.

Intervertebral Disks

Pads of fibrocartilage located between vertebral bodies.

Atlas

C1 vertebra that articulates with the occipital condyle to facilitate 'yes' motion.

Axis

C2 vertebra that articulates with the atlas; features a superior projection called the dens.

Dens

Superior projection on the axis vertebra that allows for rotational movement.

Sacral Foramina

Holes located on the anterior and posterior sides of the sacrum.

Sacral Canal

Continuation of the vertebral canal located in the sacrum.

Median Sacral Crest

Formed by the fusion of spinous processes of S1-S5 on the posterior sacrum.

Ribs

Form the thoracic cage along with the sternum and thoracic vertebrae.

True Ribs

Vertebrosternal ribs that articulate directly with the sternum (ribs 1-7).

False Ribs

Ribs that do not directly articulate with the sternum (ribs 8-12).

Costal Groove

Divot along the inferior border of the rib shaft.

Head of Rib

Articulates with the vertebral body.

Tubercle of Rib

Joins the costal facet on the transverse process.

Clavicular Notches

Indentations on the manubrium that meet the clavicle.

Jugular Notch

Superior indentation on the manubrium.