Lateral View of the Adult Skull

Which bone forms the anterior part of the lateral skull?

The frontal bone.

At which suture do the frontal and parietal bones meet?

The coronal suture.

What do the parietal bones form?

The sides and roof of the cranium.

At which suture do the parietal bones meet in the midline?

The sagittal suture.

which suture do the parietal bones meet the occipital bone?

The lambdoid suture.

Which structures complete the lateral skull?

• Squamous part of occipital bone

• Temporal bone parts: squamous, tympanic, mastoid process, styloid process, zygomatic process

• Greater wing of the sphenoid

What important opening is visible on the lateral skull?

The external auditory meatus.

Where are the mandible’s body and ramus located in lateral view?

Inferiorly

What is the thinnest part of the lateral skull wall?

The pterion.

What bones form the pterion?

• Parietal bone

• Greater wing of sphenoid

Why is the pterion clinically important?

It overlies the anterior division of the middle meningeal artery and vein.

What are the superior and inferior temporal lines?

Curved ridges that begin as a single line and diverge posteriorly.

Where is the temporal fossa located?

Below the inferior temporal line.

Where is the infratemporal fossa located

Below the infratemporal crest of the greater wing of the sphenoid.

What is the pterygomaxillary fissure?

A vertical opening between the pterygoid process of the sphenoid and the posterior maxilla.

Where does the pterygomaxillary fissure lead?

Medially into the pterygopalatine fossa.

What is the inferior orbital fissure?

A horizontal opening between the maxilla and greater wing of the sphenoid.

Where does the inferior orbital fissure lead?

Forward into the orbit.

Where is the pterygopalatine fossa located?

Behind and below the orbital cavity.

What are the communications of the pterygopalatine fossa?

• Lateral: infratemporal fossa (pterygomaxillary fissure)

• Medial: nasal cavity (sphenopalatine foramen)

• Superior: cranial cavity (foramen rotundum)

• Anterior: orbit (inferior orbital fissure)