Cranial & Facial Bones

Cranial bones

Skull bones that protect the brain and related structures

Frontal bone

Forms the forehead and roof of the eye sockets

Parietal bones

Two bones forming the roof and upper sides of the cranium

Temporal bones

Two bones forming the lower sides and base of the cranium

Occipital bone

Forms the back and base of the skull

Sphenoid bone

Bat-shaped bone forming part of the base of the skull behind the eyes

Ethmoid bone

Thin bone that supports the nasal cavity and forms part of the eye sockets

Foramen magnum

Opening in the occipital bone through which the spinal cord passes

Sella turcica

Depression in the sphenoid bone where the pituitary gland is located

Mastoid process

Rounded projection on the temporal bone behind the ear

Styloid process

Pole-like process extending downward from the temporal bone

Suture

Immovable joint between bones, such as skull bones

Facial bones

Bones of the face: lacrimal, mandibular, maxillary, nasal, vomer, and zygomatic

Nasal bones

Two bones supporting the bridge of the nose

Lacrimal bones

Small bones located at the corner of each eye

Maxillary bones

Two large bones composing the upper jaw

Mandible

Lower jawbone; the only facial bone capable of movement

Zygomatic bones

Two bones forming the high portion of the cheeks

Vomer

Thin, flat bone forming the lower portion of the nasal septum

Fontanelle

Soft spot between the skull bones of an infant