Head and Neck Surface Anatomy Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 lecture slides covering head and neck surface anatomy landmarks, regions, intraoral structures, and cervical anatomy.

Surface Anatomy

The study of structural relationships between the internal and external features of the body, considered macroscopic or gross anatomy.

Supraorbital ridge

Anatomical landmark located inferior to each eyebrow in the frontal region.

Glabella

Smooth, elevated area located between the eyebrows.

Frontal eminence

The prominence of the forehead.

Auricle

Oval flap of the external ear that collects sound waves.

External acoustic meatus

Centrally located tube in the auricular region that transmits sound waves to the middle ear.

Helix

Superior and posterior free margin of the auricle, whose upper apex is usually level with the eyebrows.

Lobule

Ipsilateral protuberance of the ear lobe located at the level of the apex of the nose.

Tragus

Small flap of tissue of the auricle anterior to the external acoustic meatus (EAM) that is flexible when palpated.

Antitragus

Small flap of tissue located contralateral to the tragus.

Intertragic notch

Notch located between the tragus and antitragus.

Sclera

White area of the eyeball.

Iris

Central area of the eyeball containing coloration.

Pupil

Black opening in the center of the iris that changes size in response to changing conditions.

Lacrimal fluid

Tears produced from the lacrimal glands.

Conjunctiva

Thin membrane lining the side of the eyelids.

Lateral canthus

Outer corner of the eye where the eyelids meet.

Medial canthus

Inner angle of the eye where the eyelids meet.

Root of the nose

Nasal structure located between the eyes.

Nasion

Bridge of the nose located inferior to the root of the nose.

Apex of the nose

Tip of the nose, which is flexible when palpated.

Naris

Nasal opening located inferior to the apex of the nose.

Nasal septum

Midline structure made of skull bones and nasal septal cartilage that separates the nares internally.

Ala

Winglike cartilaginous tissue forming the lateral border of the nares.

Infraorbital region

Region located inferior to the orbital region and lateral to the nasal region.

Zygomatic region

Region lateral to the infraorbital region that overlies the cheekbone and zygomatic arch.

Temporomandibular Joint

Joint located inferior to the zygomatic arch and anterior to the external ear where the upper skull forms a joint with the lower jaw.

Buccal region

Region composed of the soft tissue of the cheek, forming the side of the face.

Golden Proportions

A set of guidelines used to assess facial vertical dimension divided into thirds for functional and esthetic purposes.

Vermillion zone

Redder or darker area of pigmentation of the skin and lips.

Mucocutaneous junction

Transition area at the vermillion border that outlines the lips from the surrounding skin.

Philtrum

Vertical groove of skin located superior to the midline of the upper lip, extending inferiorly from the nasal septum.

Tubercle of Upper Lip

Thickened area inferior to the philtrum where the upper lip terminates.

Labial commissure

Corner of the mouth where the upper and lower lips meet.

Nasolabial sulcus

Groove running upward between the labial commissure and the ala of the nose.

Labiomental groove

Groove that separates the lower lip from the chin.

Angle of the Mandible

Sharp bend of the lower jaw located inferior to the lobule.

Facial

Orofacial orientational term meaning closer to the facial surface.

Labial

Orofacial orientational term meaning closer to the lips.

Buccal

Orofacial orientational term meaning closer to the cheeks.

Lingual

Orofacial orientational term meaning closer to the tongue.

Palatal

Orofacial orientational term meaning closer to the palate.

Buccal fat pad

Fatty structure within the buccal mucosa that acts as a protective cushion during mastication.

Parotid papilla

Small elevation of tissue on the inner part of the buccal mucosa that protects the parotid salivary gland.

Maxillary tuberosity

Tissue elevation located posterior to the most distal maxillary molar.

Retromolar pad

Tissue elevation located posterior to the most distal mandibular molar.

Vestibules

Horseshoe-shaped open spaces located between the lips/cheeks and the teeth/soft tissue.

Vestibular fornix

Deepest area within each vestibule where the buccal mucosa and alveolar mucosa meet.

Mucobuccal fold

Fold within the vestibule where the buccal mucosa and alveolar mucosa meet.

Labial frenum

Fold of tissue located at the midline between the labial mucosa and alveolar mucosa.

Attached gingiva

Firm oral mucosa that adheres to the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth.

Mucogingival junction

Line of demarcation between the alveolar mucosa and the attached gingiva.

Gingival sulcus

Space adjacent to the inner surface of the marginal (free) gingiva.

Interdental papilla

Individual extension of the interdental gingiva located between adjacent teeth.

Incisive papilla

Small bulge of tissue located lingual to the maxillary anterior teeth.

Palatine rugae

Firm, irregular ridges of tissue located directly posterior to the incisive papilla on the hard palate.

Uvula of the palate

Midline muscular structure hanging inferiorly as an extension of the posterior margin of the soft palate.

Median palatine raphe

Midline ridge of tissue on the palate running from the incisive papilla to the uvula.

Pterygomandibular fold

Vertical fold of tissue extending on each side from the junction of the palates to the medial side of the mandibular ramus.

Base of the tongue

Posterior 1/3 of the tongue located in the oral part of the pharynx that attaches to the floor of the mouth and does not reside in the oral cavity.

Body of the tongue

Anterior 2/3 of the tongue located within the oral cavity.

Median lingual sulcus

Midline depression on the dorsal surface of the tongue.

Sulcus terminalis

V-shaped groove on the tongue that separates the base from the body.

Foramen cecum

Small depression on the dorsal surface of the tongue where the sulcus terminalis points backwards.

Plica fimbriata

Fringelike projections located lateral to the deep lingual veins on the ventral surface of the tongue.

Foliate lingual papillae

Notable vertical ridges located on the lateral surface of the tongue that are more prominent in children.

Filiform lingual papillae

Slender, threadlike papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue that give it a velvety texture.

Fungiform lingual papillae

Red, mushroom-shaped dots on the dorsal surface of the tongue present in lower amounts than filiform papillae.

Circumvallate lingual papillae

10-14 papillae lining the anterior side of the sulcus terminalis on the body of the tongue that contain taste buds at their bases.

Sublingual fold

V-shaped ridge of tissue located on each side of the floor of the mouth associated with the sublingual salivary gland.

Sublingual caruncle

Small papilla located at the anterior end of the sublingual fold.

Laryngopharynx

Inferior part of the pharynx closer to the laryngeal opening that is not visible during an intraoral examination.

Nasopharynx

Part of the pharynx superior to the level of the soft palate and continuous with the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

Part of the pharynx located between the soft palate and the opening of the larynx.

Epiglottis

Structure posterior to the base of the tongue that folds back during swallowing to cover the entrance to the larynx.

Fauces

Opening from the oral region into the oropharynx, bounded laterally by the anterior and posterior faucial pillars.

Mental protuberance

Prominence of the chin located in the mental region.

Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle

Large strap muscle that divides each side of the neck diagonally into anterior and posterior cervical triangles.

Hyoid bone

Bone located in the anterior midline superior to the thyroid cartilage that is suspended without bony articulations.