Skull Part Functions

sinuses

Air filled cavities lined with mucous membranes

Styloid process

Anchors the muscles of the tongue and pharynx

occipital condyle

Articulates the atlas (C1), or first vertebrae

mandibular fossa

articulates the condylar process of the mandible

mastoid process

attachment for neck muscles; may become infected

crista galli

attachment for the meninges (membranes covering the brain)

nasal conchae

caused inhaled air to swirled, warming and moistening it

sutures

connections between skull bones

cribriform plate

connects two masses of ethmoid bone horizontally

vomer

forms the inferior portion of the nasal septum

perpendicular plate

forms the superior portion of the nasal septum

sella turcica

houses the pituitary gland

palatine process

if incomplete fusion occurs, cleft palate results

external auditory meatus

leads inward to parts of the ear

coronoid process

muscle attachment for chewing

foramen magnum

opening nerve fibers pass from the brain to spinal cord

mental foramen

openings on the anterior surface of the mandible

madnibular foramen

openings on the interior surface of the mandible

alveolar processes

sockets containing the teeth

lacrimal foramen

these are for tear drainage