Summary of Bones of the Skull

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary related to the anatomy of the skull, including bones, features, and related anatomical terms.

Facial bones

15 bones that form the face and jaws.

Brain case bones

7 bones that form the cranial cavity.

Calvaria

The rounded, upper portion (roof) of the cranial cavity.

Sutures

Immobile fibrous joints that unite 21 bones of the skull.

Mandible

The only independently movable bone of the skull.

Frontal bone

The bone that forms the forehead and anterior skull.

Parietal bones

Two bones that form the upper, lateral skull.

Temporal bones

Two bones that form the lower, lateral skull.

Occipital bone

The bone that forms the posterior skull.

Sphenoid bone

A single, unpaired bone that forms parts of the lateral skull and base.

Greater wing of sphenoid bone

Part of the sphenoid bone that forms a small area of lateral skull.

Mastoid process

A bony projection on the lower, lateral skull of the temporal bone.

External acoustic meatus

The ear canal associated with the temporal bone.

Zygomatic process

Forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch.

Occipital condyles

Articulate with the 1st cervical vertebra at the base of the occipital bone.

Sella turcica

Mid-line bony structure in the floor of the cranial cavity.

Maxilla bones

Two paired bones that form the upper jaw and anterior hard palate.

Palatine bones

Two paired bones that form the posterior hard palate.

Zygomatic bones

Two paired bones that form the cheekbones.

Nasal bones

Two paired bones that form the base of the nose.

Ethmoid bone

Single midline bone that contributes to the nasal septum and orbit.

Inferior nasal conchae

Two curved bones that project into the lower nasal cavity.

Vomer bone

Single bone that forms the posterior nasal septum.

Condyle

Oval area for articulation with the base of the skull.

Cleft palate

A developmental defect where the palatine processes do not join together.

Hyoid bone

A small, U-shaped bone in the upper neck that supports the tongue.

Paranasal sinuses

Hollow, air-filled spaces within specific skull bones that lighten weight.

Coronal suture

Unites the frontal bone to the right and left parietal bones.

Sagittal suture

Joins the right and left parietal bones.

Lambdoid suture

Joins the occipital bone and right and left parietal bones.

Squamosal suture

Unites the squamous portion of temporal bone to the parietal bone.