Head and Neck Objectives

List the two basic subdivisions of the skull

the neurocranium and facial skeleton

List the cavities of the skull

the orbital cavity, cranial cavity, middle ear cavities, and nasal cavity with a left and right side

List the air sinuses of the skull

the frontal, maxillary, and ethmoidal sinuses and the sphenoid sinus

Describe the types of articulations found in the skull

majority of the articulations of the skull are composed of non-movable sutures. the temporomandibular joint is a synovial hinge joint 

Name the three prominent sutures of the cranium

the coronal suture runs horizontally between the frontal and parietal bones. the sagittal suture runs vertically down the midline of the skull, between the two parietal bones. the lambdoid suture runs horizontally across the back of the skull, between the parietal and occipital bones.

Describe the temporomandibular joint

the tmj is a synovial hinge joint that can perform protraction and retraction as well as elevation and depression. the articular disc above the mandible allows for a high range of motion

Describe the three cranial fossae and a prominent bony landmark of each

the anterior cranial fossa has the cribriform plate, the middle cranial fossa has the sella turcica, the posterior cranial fossa houses the foramen magnum

Define the pterion, bregma and lambda

The pterion is indicated by an "H-shaped" formation of sutures that unite to frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones. it is the weakest part of the skull where the middle meningeal a. runs. if ruptured it will cause an epidural hematoma. the bregma is the coronal and sagittal suture. the lambda is the lambdoid and sagittal suture

Describe the four major subdivisions of the brain.

Brainstem, diencephalon, cerebellum, cerebrum

Describe the primary functions of each of the subdivisions of the brainstem

The medulla controls vital reflexes and non-vital reflexes like coughing and vomiting, the pons controls vital reflexes and is the relay center between the cerebellum and brain, the midbrain is responsible for visual and auditory reflexes

Describe a primary function of the cerebellum

The primary function of the cerebellum is to send motor output after functions as a comparator to regulate the rate, range, and force of movements. Losing this ability results in ataxia. The cerebellum compares what it wants to do with what is happening.

List four characteristics of the cerebrum (Consider functional and anatomic properties)

the cerebrum has four major lobes, is somatotopically arranged, has grooves and ridges to increase surface area and is the largest section 

Describe the four lobes of the cerebrum, their position to each other and their function

Anterior is the frontal lobe responsible for planning and higher motor functions (location of primary motor cortex), the parietal lobe is the location of the primary somatosensory cortex, the occipital lobes is the primary visual cortex and the temporal lobes process audition, learning and memory 

Describe the gray matter of the cerebrum, its location/function

in the gyri of the cerebral cortex and functions in determining approprietness

Describe the white matter of the cerebrum, its different fiber tracts and their destinations

the white matter has three major tracts. the association tract connects the lobes within hemispheres, the commissural tracts cross midline, the projection fibers connect the spinal cord to cerebellum

Define "functional localization"

Functional localization is the idea that certain functions are localized in certain areas of the brain

Be able to name and draw the branches off the aortic arch that give rise to the head's blood supply

The branches that come off the aortic arch are the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries. Off the brachiocephalic trunk branches the R common carotid and right subclavian artery. Off the subclavian arteries branch the vertebral arteries. From common carotid arteries the branches are internal and external carotid arteries.

Be able to name and identify the primary branches of the external carotid artery

1: superior thyroid artery

- thyroid, neck, larynx

2: lingual artery

3: facial artery

-anastomoses between left and right

4: Occipital artery

-posterior neck and scalp

5: maxillary artery

-terminal, mastication, nasal, gums, cavities

-gives rise to middle meningeal arteries through foramen spinosum

-epidural bleed

6: Superficial temporal artery

-terminal

7: venous return for all is internal jugular vein.

Describe the functions of the cranial meninges

the cranial meninges compartmentalize to create venous sinuses, support the brain, and limit movement

Name and describe the individual layers of the meninges surrounding the brain

from deep to superficial are the pia, arachnoid, inner meningeal layer of dura adherent to the arachnoid mater and outer periosteal layer of dura adhered to the skull

Name the different dural infoldings and their associated venous sinuses.

the falx cerebri divides the left and right cerebral hemispheres and houses the superior and inferior sagittal sinuses. the tentorium cerebelli divides the cerebrum and cerebellum and contains transverse sinuses and the superior petrosal sinuses. the falx cerebelli divides the left and right cerebellar hemispheres containing the occipital sinus

Describe the flow of venous blood from the brain

Superior Sagittal Sinus c drains into the confluence then transverse Sinuses (L&R) drain into Sigmoid Sinuses (L&R) into Internal Jugular Vein. Cavernous Sinuses drain into Superior Petrosal Sinuses into Transverse Sinuses (L&R) then Sigmoid Sinuses (L&R) and into Internal jugular vein. Cavernous Sinuses drain into Inferior Petrosal Sinuses then internal Jugular Vein

What is unusual about the veins of the face and dural sinuses - are there any connections between the two?

The veins in the face are able to allow blood to flow in both directions. The veins in the face form anastomoses with venous sinuses.