Anatomy of the Neck, Skull, and Brain

These flashcards cover key anatomy terms related to the neck, skull, and brain, providing definitions for major structures and their functions.

Cervical Vertebrae

The seven bones (C1–C7) that make up the neck region.

Hyoid Bone

A small, floating bone located at the C3 level that supports the larynx.

Sternocleidomastoid Muscle

A muscle that divides each side of the neck into front (anterior) and side (lateral).

Thyroid Gland

An endocrine gland located at the front of the neck that controls metabolism.

Parathyroid Glands

Small glands located behind the thyroid that regulate calcium levels in the blood.

Larynx

Also known as the voice box, it connects the throat to the trachea and produces sound.

Vocal Folds

Also known as vocal cords; they vibrate to produce sound and have five layers with the deepest being muscle.

Trachea

The windpipe that carries air from the larynx to the lungs.

Pharynx

The throat; it is the passageway for both air and food and includes the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Esophagus

The muscular food tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach.

Carotid Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to the brain, face, and neck.

Jugular Veins

Veins that carry blood back to the heart from the brain and face.

Orbicularis Oris

A mouth muscle that closes the lips.

Masseter

A strong jaw muscle that helps in chewing by closing the mouth.

Meninges

Dura mater – thick and tough outer layer.

Arachnoid mater – thin, web-like middle layer.

Pia mater – very thin inner layer with lots of blood vessels that sits directly on the brain.

These layers protect the brain, hold cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and support blood vessels.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain responsible for higher brain functions such as thinking and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum

Located behind the brainstem, under the cerebrum. The part of the brain that controls balance, posture, and coordinated movement.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into nerve signals.

Vestibular System

A system in the inner ear that helps maintain balance and senses head movement.

What are the three parts of the ear?

The three parts of the ear are the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.These bones amplify sound vibrations.

Malleus (hammer)

touches the eardrum.

Incus (anvil)

connects malleus to stapes

Stapes (stirrup)

smallest bone in the body, sends vibrations to the inner ear

What is the function of the tympanic membrane?

The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, vibrates when sound hits it, separating the outer ear from the middle ear.

what is a part of the outer ear?

Pinna (auricle) – the visible part of the ear, made of cartilage.
→ Collects sound and funnels it into the ear canal.

the brainstem

Connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls automatic functions (breathing, heartbeat).

how many parts does the brainstem have?

3. Midbrain, Pons, and Medulla oblongata

what are the functions of the parts of the brainstem.

• Midbrain – handles visual and auditory reflexes, movement, sleep, and body temperature.

• Pons – connects parts of the brain, helps control breathing, and links cerebrum and cerebellum.

Medulla oblongata – connects to the spinal cord and controls vital functions like breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.

what is the diencephalon?

This is the deep central part of the brain. It connects brain signals and controls basic functions.

what are the 3 main parts of the diencephalon and functions?

• Thalamus – relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebrum.

• Hypothalamus – controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, and hormone release.

• Epithalamus – includes the pineal gland (makes melatonin for sleep).

What are the four lobes of the cerebrum and their functions?

The four lobes are the frontal lobe (thinking and planning), parietal lobe (touch and pressure), temporal lobe (hearing and memory), and occipital lobe (vision).

what are the two halves of the cerebrum and what splits them and connects them?

two halves (left and right hemispheres), split by the longitudinal fissure.The two halves are connected by the corpus callosum (a band of nerve fibers)

What’s on the surface of the brain?

• Gyri – raised folds on the brain.

• Sulci – shallow grooves between the folds.

Fissures – deep grooves (separate big brain regions).

what is the temporalis?

Temporalis is a fan-shaped muscle on the side of your head (over your temple).

It helps lift and pull back the jaw (important for chewing).

Works together with the masseter to close the mouth.

what is the masseter and function?

Masseter is a strong jaw muscle.

Its job is to close the mouth by lifting the lower jaw (mandible).

It’s one of the main muscles for chewing (along with the temporalis)