Module 04: Head and Neck Anatomy

Cranium

One of the two sections of the skull; consists of two parietal and temporal bones, plus the occipital bone, frontal bone, sphenoid bone, and ethmoid bone.

Frontal bone

Cranial bone that makes up the frontal part of the cranium and the upper part of the orbit of the eye.

Parietal bone

Bone that forms the middle and upper back portion of the cranium.

Temporal bones

Paired bones that form part of the cranium on each side, enclosing the middle and inner ear.

Occipital bone

Bone that forms the back and part of the base of the cranium; features a notch that allows the spinal cord to pass through to the brainstem.

Sphenoid bone

Butterfly-shaped bone that forms the base of the cranium.

Ethmoid bones

Small paired bones of the cranium that are filled with air spaces; each forms part of the eye socket and nasal cavity.

Maxillary bones

Paired bones that fuse at the midline to form the upper jaw, or maxilla.

Nasal bones

Paired bones that form the bridge of the nose.

Lacrimal bone

Paired bones that form the front inner wall of each eye socket and provide room for the lacrimal ducts.

Zygomatic bones

Paired bones that form the prominent parts of the cheeks and the outer rims of the eye sockets.

Inferior nasal conchae

Spongy scroll-shaped bones (turbinates) located in the lateral portion of the nasal cavity; help regulate the temperature of incoming air and provide increased surface area for air to be cleansed of irritants and infectious particles.

Palatine bones

Paired bones that form the posterior part of the maxilla.

Mandible

Single bone that forms the lower jaw.

Vomer

Single bone that forms part of the nasal septum.

Bony process

A prominence or projection on a bone that serves as an attachment point for tendons (which in turn are attached to muscles) and ligaments (which connect bones to form joints).

Fossa

Depression on a bony surface.

Articulation

A place where two or more bones are joined.

Meatus

An opening or canal in a bone.

Sutures

An immovable joint between bones.

Coronal suture

Immovable joint between the frontal and parietal bones.

Sagittal suture

The joint between the two parietal bones; found on top of the cranium.

Lambdoid suture

Where the parietal bones and occipital bone join.