Head and Neck Anatomy Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the head and neck anatomy.

temporalis

The muscle that inserts on the coronoid process and ramus of the mandible and acts to elevate the mandible.

foramen magnum

The large opening in the base of the skull where the spinal cord exits.

fibrous joint

A type of joint based on anatomy, characterized by bones held together by dense connective tissue.

sagittal suture

One of the sutures of the skull that follows body planes.

coronal suture

Another suture of the skull that follows body planes.

synarthrotic

A classification of joints that are immovable.

buccinator

The muscle located in the buccal region that originates on the maxilla and mandible.

jugular foramen

A feature of the skull that cannot be viewed in isolation on any individual bone.

orbicularis oris

The circular muscle that acts to pucker the lips.

fossa

A depression or relatively deep pit in a bone.

zygomatic arch

The bony structure formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone.

zygomaticus

The muscle group that raises the corner of the mouth, as in smiling.

gomphosis joint

The joint between a tooth and its bony socket.

elevation

The movement of raising a body part.

depression

The movement of lowering a body part.

fontanel

A membranous region in fetal and infant skulls between certain cranial bones.

irregular bones

The classification of all bones of the face based on shape.

coronoid process

The anterior feature on the ramus of the mandible.

process

A prominent projection on a bone.

masseter

The muscle that originates on the zygomatic arch and acts to elevate the mandible.

foramen

An opening in a bone that serves as a passageway for blood vessels, nerves, and/or ligaments.

foramen ovale

An example of a foramen in the sphenoid bone.

ramus

A structure given off from another larger structure in a bone.

protraction

The movement of a body part forward.

retraction

The movement of a body part backward.

suture

An interlocking line of union between bones.

lambdoid suture

A suture that joins the parietal, temporal, and occipital bones.

squamous suture

Another suture that connects bones of the skull.

flat bones

The classification of all cranium bones based on shape.

modified hinge joint

The specific classification of the joint between the mandible and temporal bone.

diarthrotic

A classification of joints that allows for movement.

synovial joint

A type of joint characterized by a synovial cavity.

epicranius

The muscle that originates on the occipital bone and acts to raise the eyebrows.

dense fibrous connective tissue

The tissue type that holds bones together in fibrous joints.

mental foramina

The foramina on the anterior surface of the mandible.

mandibular foramina

The foramina on the medial surfaces of the mandible.

orbicularis oculi

The circular muscle that acts to close the eye.

condyle

A rounded process of a bone located at an articulation site.

hyoid bone

The bone that supports the tongue and is an attachment point for swallowing muscles.

sternocleidomastoid muscles

The pair of muscles that flex the neck and turn the head.

hyaline cartilage

The cartilage covering the mandibular fossa and mandibular condyle that minimizes friction.