Unit 5 - Axial Skeleton Practical Terms

Cranial Sutures

Joints made of strong, fibrous tissue that hold the bones of the skull together

Coronal Suture

The transverse suture of the skull, separates the frontal bone from the parietal bones

Lambdoidal Suture

Suture on the posterior of the skull, shaped like the letter lambda, connects the parietal bones to the occipital bone

Sagittal Suture

The suture running down the center of the skull, separated the two parietal bones

Squamosal Suture

The jagged, scale-like suture that separates the parietal bone and overlaps the temporal bone

Cranium

The part of the skull that encloses the brain

Frontal Bone

Forms the anterior and superior portions of the skull

Supraorbital Foramen

A path for vessels and nerves from the orbit to the superficial region of the forehead

Parietal Bones

Two bones that form the sides and roof of the skull

Occipital Bone

Major part of the posterior wall and base of the skull

Foramen Magnum

A passage of the central nervous system through the skull connecting the brain with the spinal cord

Occipital Condyles

Articulate with the superior articular facets of the atlas (C1 vertebrae) and form a hinge joint allowing flexion and extension of the head

Temporal Bones

Two bones that form the lower lateral walls of the skull

Mastoid Process

The bony projection at the base of the temporal bones on each side of the skull that serves as an attachment point for several head and neck muscles

External Auditory Meatus

Channels sound to the inner ear

Mandibular Fossa

Oval depression that receives condyle of the mandible

Carotid Foramen

Allows carotid artery carrying oxygenated blood to pass into the cranium and supply the brain

Jugular Foramen

Transmits jugular veins carrying deoxygenated blood from the brain to the heart and cranial nerves

Articular Tubercle

Forms anterior boundary of mandibular fossa

Styloid Process

Serves as an anchor point for several muscles associated with the tongue and larynx; facilitates the movement of the tongue, pharynx, larynx, hyoid bone, and mandible

Sphenoid Bone

Forms the base of the cranium, behind the eye and below the front part of the brain

Sella Turcica

Holds and protects the pituitary gland

Pterygoid Process

Allows the jaw to move in a horizontal direction during chewing

Optic Foramen

Contains the optic nerve which transmits electrical impulses from your eyes to your brain

Foramen Lacerum

Allows for passage of facial and sensory nerves

Foramen Ovale

Transmits the mandibular nerve

Foramen Spinosum

Contains arteries, veins, and nerves serving the brain

Ethmoid Bone

A small, cube-shaped bone in the center of the skull that helps form the eye sockets, nasal cavity, and sinuses

Crista Galli

A vertical, wedge-shaped process that projects from the superior surface of the ethmoid bone; separates the olfactory bulbs

Cribriform Plate

A thin, horizontal bone plate that forms the roof of the nasal cavity and separates the brain from the nasal cavity

Perpendicular Plate

Projects from inferior surface of ethmoid bone; forms superior half of the nasal septum

Facial Bones

Bones that make up the face are located between the cranium and the mandible

Maxilla

Bones that form the upper jaw, the roof of the mouth, and parts of the eye socket and nose

Superior Alveolar Process

The thick, curved ridge of bone that forms the socket for the upper teeth

Infraorbital Foramen

Small holes in the Maxilla, located below the eye socket and to the left and right of the nose

Frontal Process

Thin, long, superior projection found along the side of the nose forming part of its lateral boundary

Anterior Nasal Spine

Projects anteriorly in the midline, inferior to nasal cavity

Lacrimal Bones

Two small bones of the maxilla that are roughly the size of the little fingernail and situated at the anterior portion of the medial wall of each orbit

Lacrimal Fossa

Opening in the lacrimal bone that provides drainage for the lacrimal gland (produces tears)

Nasal Bones

A pair of bony plates that form the left and right bridge of the nose

Vomer

Forms the inferior half of the nasal septum

Zygomatic Bones

A pair of bones that form the cheek and part of the eye socket on each side of the skull

Zygomatic Arch

Bridge of bone extending from the temporal bone at the side of the head around to the maxilla (upper jawbone) in front

Palatine Bones

Form the rear of the hard palate and part of the wall and floor of the nasal cavity

Mandible

Lower jaw bone

Inferior Alveolar Process

The thick, curved ridge of bone that forms the socket for the lower teeth

Mental Foramen

An opening in the mandible that allows the mental nerve to exit and enervate the lower lip, cheeks, and chin

Mental Protuberance

Bony protrusion in the front of the lower jaw that forms the chin

Condylar Process

The process on the mandible that ends in a condyle that articulates with the temporal bone at the mandibular fossa (TMJ)

Mandibular Notch

A U-shaped groove in the mandible found between the coronoid process anteriorly and the condylar process posteriorly

Incisive Foramen/Incisive Canals

An opening in the hard palate that allows nerves and blood vessels to pass between the nasal and oral cavities

Coronoid Process

A triangular projection on the mandible that provides an attachment point for the muscles used for chewing

Vertebral Column

A column of several vertebrae (24 total), stacked on top of each other from the bottom of the skull to the pelvis; protects the spinal cord and supports the body’s weight

Cervical Vertebrae

7 vertebrae found at the top of the vertebral column

Thoracic Vertebrae

12 Vertebrae found in the mid-section of the vertebral column

Lumbar Vertebrae

5 vertebrae found at the base of the vertebral column

Sacrum

A large, triangular bone that forms the base of the spine and the back wall of the pelvis; strengthens and stabilizes pelvis

Coccyx

Final segment of the vertebral column, composed of 3-5 fused vertebrae; supports the bodies weight and helps keep balance while sitting

Vertebrae

One of the series or irregular shaped bones that make up the vertebral column

Articulating Processes

Bony projections that connect vertebrae together, forming joints that stabilize the spine

Spinous/Dorsal Process

Extends backward form the body of the vertebra that allows spinal nerves and blood vessels to pass through laterally

Transverse Process

Wing-like projections of bone extending laterally from each side of the vertebrae body that allow back muscles and ligaments to attach to the vertebral column

Intervertebral Foramen

Opening between adjacent vertebrae that allows spinal nerves and blood vessels to pass through laterally

Vertebral Foramen

Opening between adjacent vertebrae that allows spinal nerves and blood vessels to pass through

Vertebrae Body

The large rounded portion of each vertebrae

Intervertebral Disc

A cushion of fibrocartilage between two vertebrae in the spinal column

Ribs

The bony framework of the thoracic cavity that surrounds and protects vital organs including the heart and lungs

True Ribs

the first seven pairs of ribs in the human body that attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilages

False Ribs

The eighth, ninth, and tenth pair of ribs; their costal cartilage does not directly/individually attach to the sternum

Floating Ribs

11th and 12th pair of ribs, have no anterior articulation with the sternum or other ribs

Sternum

A long, flat bone in the center of the chest that protects the heart, lungs, and other organs; attaches to ribs via costal cartilage

Manubrium

Superior portion of the sternum that articulates with the clavicle

Body

Central part of the sternum that articulates with several ribs

Xiphoid Process

Small, pointed, inferior section of the sternum