Head Topographical Anatomy

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering head topographical anatomy, including the fronto-parieto-occipital, temporal, infratemporal, mastoid, and auricular regions.

Fronto-parieto-occipital Region (Borders)

The cranial region bounded anteriorly by the supraorbital margin of the frontal bone, laterally by the superior temporal line, and posteriorly by the superior nuchal line of the occipital bone.

Superficial Fascia of Fronto-parieto-occipital Region

The second scalp layer, composed of adipose tissue arranged in ellipsoid lobules with abundant blood vessels whose adventitia is attached to fibrous strands; because vessels tend to stay open when cut, injuries here cause intense hemorrhages.

Musculo-aponeurotic Layer (Scalp)

The third scalp layer consisting of the occipitofrontalis muscle ($\text{m. epicranius}$), which includes the frontal belly, the occipital belly, and the intervening galea aponeurotica.

Frontal Neurovascular Bundle

The sensory neurovascular supply of the anterior scalp, divided into a medial group (supratrochlear nerve, artery, and vein) and a lateral group (supraorbital nerve, artery, and vein).

Occipital Neurovascular Bundle

The posterior neurovascular structures of the scalp, consisting of the occipital artery, occipital vein, and the great occipital nerve.

Retroauricular Neurovascular Bundle

The neurovascular bundle located behind the ear, composed of branches of the posterior auricular nerve, artery, and vein, along with the lesser occipital nerve.

Temporal Region (Borders)

The anatomical region bounded anteriorly by the zygomatic process of the frontal bone, the frontal process of the zygomatic bone, and the superior temporal line; superiorly by the superior temporal line; and inferiorly by the zygomatic arch.

Deep Fascia of Temporal Region

A dense fascia attaching superiorly to the linea temporalis superior (tightly connected to the temporalis muscle) and splitting inferiorly into deep and superficial sheets that attach to the zygomatic arch.

Infratemporal Region (Deep Temporal Region)

The deep lateral head region consisting of soft tissues found medial to the ramus of the mandible, comprising the infratemporal fossa and the pterygopalatine fossa.

Borders of Infratemporal Region

Anatomical boundaries formed laterally by the condylar process of the ramus mandibulae, medially by the levator veli palatini and tensor veli palatini muscles, anteriorly by the posterior border of the maxillary sinus, posteriorly by the carotid sheath, superiorly by the greater wing ($\text{ala major}$) of the sphenoid bone, and inferiorly by the medial pterygoid muscle.

Pterygoid Venous Plexus

A venous network located lateral to the lateral pterygoid muscle that receives the inferior alveolar, sphenopalatine, and middle meningeal veins; communicates with the face, orbit, and cavernous sinus via skull foramina, acting as a potential pathway for spreading infections.

Maxillary Artery

A major branch of the external carotid artery that passes through the mandibular column into the spatium infratemporale (between the lateral pterygoid and temporalis muscles) to reach the pterygopalatine fossa, dividing into mandibular, pterygoid, and pterygopalatine portions.

Mandibular Portion of Maxillary Artery

The first section of the maxillary artery, which gives off the deep auricular artery, anterior tympanic artery, middle meningeal artery, inferior alveolar artery, and accessory meningeal artery.

Pterygoid Portion of Maxillary Artery

The second section of the maxillary artery that supplies the masticatory muscles via the masseteric artery, pterygoid branches, deep temporal arteries, and buccal artery.

Pterygopalatine Portion of Maxillary Artery

The terminal third portion of the maxillary artery giving rise to the sphenopalatine artery, descending palatine artery, infraorbital artery, posterior superior alveolar artery, artery of the pterygoid canal, and pharyngeal branch.

Mandibular Nerve

The third division of the trigeminal nerve ($\text{CN } V_3$) that exits through the foramen ovale into the interstitium interpterygoideum and divides into an anterior motor trunk and a posterior sensory trunk.

Buccal Nerve

A branch arising from the anterior trunk of the mandibular nerve; notable for being the only sensory nerve among the otherwise motor branches of the anterior trunk.

Posterior Trunk of Mandibular Nerve

An exclusively sensory nerve trunk that divides into the auriculotemporal nerve, lingual nerve, and inferior alveolar nerve.

Otic Ganglion

A parasympathetic ganglion located medial to the mandibular nerve; receives preganglionic fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve ($\text{CN IX}$) via the tympanic and lesser petrosal nerves, and transmits postganglionic secretory fibers to the parotid gland via the auriculotemporal nerve.

Pterygopalatine Fossa

A deep space medial to the infratemporal fossa filled with loose connective tissue where the maxillary artery terminates into the sphenopalatine, descending palatine, and infraorbital arteries, and where the maxillary nerve enters through the foramen rotundum medial to the blood vessels.

Chipault's Triangle

The smooth triangular area on the outer surface of the mastoid process, distinguished from the rest of the process which is roughened by muscle tendon insertions.

Pars Mastoidea

The mastoid portion of the temporal bone forming the bony base of the mastoid region; contains two internal air spaces known as cellulae mastoideum and antrum mastoideum.

Cartilaginous Part of External Acoustic Meatus

The outer $\frac{1}{3}$ ($\sim 8\,\text{mm}$ long) of the ear canal composed of elastic cartilage ($\text{cartilago meatus acustici}$), lined with thicker skin containing fine hairs (tragi), sebaceous glands, and ceruminous glands.

Osseous Part of External Acoustic Meatus

The inner $\frac{2}{3}$ ($\sim 16\,\text{mm}$ long) of the external ear canal formed by temporal bone, lined with thin skin.

Auricular Region Sensory Innervation

The cutaneous sensory nerve supply to the pinna and ear canal provided by five nerve sources: the trigeminal nerve ($\text{CN V}$), facial nerve ($\text{CN VII}$), glossopharyngeal nerve ($\text{CN IX}$), vagus nerve ($\text{CN X}$), and branches of the cervical plexus ($\text{C2, C3}$).

Tympanic Membrane (Innervation)

The membrane separating the external ear from the middle ear whose external surface is innervated by the auriculotemporal nerve ($\text{CN } V_3$) and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve ($\text{CN X}$), while its internal surface is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve ($\text{CN IX}$).

Bichat's Fat Pad

The buccal adipose body, part of which is situated within the infratemporal region.