Axial Skeleton: Temporal, Sphenoid, and Ethmoid Bones

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on the temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones of the axial skeleton.

Petrous part of the temporal bone

The region of the temporal bone that encloses structures of the inner ear.

Zygomatic process of the temporal bone

A projection of the temporal bone that helps form the zygomatic arch.

Mandibular fossa

A depression in the temporal bone that articulates with the mandible.

Styloid process

A pointed process used for attachment of tendons and ligaments of the hyoid, tongue, and pharynx.

Mastoid process

A projection containing mastoid air cells connected to the middle ear.

External acoustic meatus

The external ear opening located in the temporal bone.

Internal acoustic meatus

An opening visible on the medial surface of the temporal bone.

Sphenoid bone

A bone that unites cranial and facial bones and strengthens the sides of the skull.

Pituitary gland

An important gland that sits in the hypophyseal fossa.

Hypophyseal fossa

A depression located in the sella turcica of the sphenoid bone.

Sphenoidal sinuses

Sinuses located within the sphenoid bone.

Greater and lesser wings

Major projections of the sphenoid bone.

Pterygoid processes/plates

Projections on the sphenoid bone that serve as an attachment for muscles of the lower jaw and soft palate.

Foramina of the sphenoid

Openings in the sphenoid bone that allow passage of blood vessels and nerves serving the orbits, face, and jaws.

Major sphenoid openings

Openings including the optic canal, superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, foramen ovale, and foramen spinosum.

Ethmoid bone

A bone that functionally forms the roof of the nasal cavity.

Three main parts of the ethmoid bone

The cribriform plate, two lateral masses, and the perpendicular plate.

Olfactory foramina

Openings located in the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone through which olfactory nerves pass.

Crista galli

A prominent projection of the ethmoid bone.

Perpendicular plate of the ethmoid

A structure that forms part of the nasal septum.

Ethmoidal labyrinth

A network containing ethmoidal air cells/sinuses located in the lateral masses.

Nasal conchae of the ethmoid bone

The superior and middle nasal conchae.