Axial Skeleton Terms

A comprehensive vocabulary list of anatomical landmarks and structures of the axial skeleton, specifically the skull and facial bones.

Supraorbital Margin

Upper rim of the eye socket beneath the eyebrows.

Supraorbital Foramen (Notch)

Opening above the eye socket that allows nerves and blood vessels to pass.

Glabella

Smooth area between the eyebrows.

Squamous Part

Flat, thin portion of the temporal bone.

Zygomatic Process (Temporal Bone)

Projection that joins the zygomatic bone to form the zygomatic arch.

Mandibular Fossa

Depression where the mandible articulates with the temporal bone.

Tympanic Part

Portion of the temporal bone surrounding the external ear opening.

External Acoustic Meatus

Canal leading to the eardrum and middle ear.

Styloid Process

Needle-like projection for attachment of neck muscles and ligaments.

Petrous Part

Dense, wedge-shaped portion of the temporal bone that forms part of the cranial base.

Jugular Foramen

Opening for the internal jugular vein and cranial nerves IX, X, and XI.

Carotid Canal

Passageway for the internal carotid artery.

Foramen Lacerum

Jagged opening at the base of the skull.

Stylomastoid Foramen

Opening through which the facial nerve (CN VII) exits the skull.

Mastoid Process

Projection behind the ear that serves as an attachment site for neck muscles.

Foramen Magnum

Large opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes.

Occipital Condyles

Rounded projections that articulate with the atlas (C1 vertebra).

Hypoglossal Canal

Passageway for the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

External Occipital Protuberance

Midline bump on the posterior skull.

Greater Wings

Large lateral projections of the sphenoid bone.

Pterygoid Processes

Projections of the sphenoid bone that serve as attachment sites for chewing muscles.

Superior Orbital Fissure

Opening that allows passage of nerves controlling eye movement.

Sella Turcica

Saddle-shaped depression that houses the pituitary gland.

Lesser Wings

Small superior projections of the sphenoid bone.

Optic Canal

Opening through which the optic nerve passes.

Foramen Rotundum

Opening for the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2).

Foramen Ovale

Opening for the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3).

Foramen Spinosum

Opening that transmits the middle meningeal artery.

Crista Galli

Rooster-comb-shaped projection that anchors the dura mater.

Cribriform Plates

Portions of the ethmoid bone that form the roof of the nasal cavity.

Cribriform Foramina

Tiny holes that allow olfactory nerve fibers to pass.

Perpendicular Plate

Projection that forms the superior part of the nasal septum.

Lateral Masses

Ethmoid structures containing the ethmoidal air cells (sinuses).

Orbital Plates

Structures that form part of the medial wall of the orbit.

Superior Nasal Concha

Curved projection that helps warm and filter inhaled air.

Middle Nasal Concha

Curved projection that helps warm and filter inhaled air.

Sagittal Suture

Suture between the left and right parietal bones.

Coronal Suture

Suture between the frontal bone and parietal bones.

Squamous Suture

Suture between the temporal bone and parietal bone.

Lambdoid Suture

Suture between the occipital bone and parietal bones.

Lacrimal Fossa

Depression that houses the lacrimal sac.

Horizontal Plate

Portion of the palatine bone that forms the posterior hard palate.

Median Palatine Suture

Midline junction between the horizontal plates of the palatine bones.

Frontal Process (Maxilla)

Projection that forms part of the bridge of the nose.

Infraorbital Foramen

Opening below the orbit for the infraorbital nerve and vessels.

Palatine Process

Projection that forms the anterior hard palate.

Zygomatic Process (Maxilla)

Projection that articulates with the zygomatic bone.

Alveolar Process (Maxilla)

Ridge containing sockets for the upper teeth.

Condylar Process

Projection that articulates with the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone.

Coronoid Process

Projection that serves as an attachment site for chewing muscles.

Mandibular Notch

Depression between the condylar and coronoid processes.

Body (Mandible)

Horizontal portion of the mandible that forms the chin.

Ramus

Vertical portion of the mandible.

Mandibular Angle

Region where the body and ramus meet.

Mental Foramina

Openings that transmit nerves and blood vessels to the chin and lower lip.

Alveolar Process (Mandible)

Ridge containing sockets for the lower teeth.

Mandibular Foramina

Openings on the medial side of the ramus for nerves supplying the teeth.