anatomy and oral structures
Cranium
the portion of the skull that encloses the brain. Eight bones make up this section of the skull.
temporal
two fan-shaped bones, one on each side of the skull, above the ear
parietal
two bones, one on each side, that make up the roof and side walls covering the brain
frontal
a single bone in the anterior region that makes up the forehead
occipital
one large, thick bone in the lower back of the head that forms the base of the skull and contains a large opening for the spinal cord passage to the brain
ethmoid
a spongy bone located between the eye orbits that helps form the roof and part of the anterior nasal fossa of the skull
sphenoid
a large bat-shaped bone at the base of the skull between the occipital and ethmoid in front, and the parietal and temporal bones at each side.
zygomatic
two facial bones, one under each eye, that form the cheekbone and give character to the face, also called malar bone
maxilla
two large facial bones, one under each eye, that unite in the center in the median suture to form the upper jaw that supports the maxillary teeth in the alveolar process, also present in this bone is the maxillary sinus and the infraorbital frenum under each eye that permits the passage of nerves
palatine
two bones, one left and one right, that unite at the median palaine suture to form the heard palate of the mouth and the nasal floor, present in this bone are multiple foramina, the largest the incisive formen is directly behind the central incisors
nasal
two bones, one left and one right, that join side by side to form the arch or bridge of the nose
lacrimal
two small bones, one each on the inner side or nose site of the orbital cavity, that make up the corner of the eye where the tear ducts are located
inferior concha
two thin scroll-like bones that form the lower part of the interior of the nasal cavity
mandible
the strong, horseshoe-shaped bone that forms the lower jaw
vomer
a single bone that forms the lower posterior part of the nasal septum and separates the nose into two chambers
auditory ossicles
small bones in the ear, are not considered bones of the face or cranium
malleus
the largest of the three ossicles in the middle ear; commonly called the ear mallet
incus
one of the three ossicles in the middle ear; commonly called the anvil
stapes
one of the three ossicles in the middle ear; commonly called the stirrup
hyoid
a horseshoe-shaped bone lying at the base of the tongue, it does not articulate with any other bones
sinus
an air pocket or cavity in a bone that lightens the bone, warms the air intake, and helps form sounds
frontal sinus
larger accessory sinus, located in the frontal bone or the forehead above each eye
ethmoid sinus
multiple, smaller sinuses located in the sphenoid bone situated behind the eyes
maxillary sinus
located in the maxilla; the largest and is called the atrium of highmore; this cavity is easily seen and is used as a landmark for identifying radiographs in the mounting of films
suture
a line where two or more bones unite in an immovable joint, several main sutures are located in the cranium
coronal suture
junction of the frontal and the parietal bones; this area is soft at birth and shortly afterward, and it has been called the babys soft spot or fontanel
sagittal suture
the union line betwwen the two parietal bones on the top of the skull
lambdoid suture
located between the parietal bone and the upper border of the occipital bone
temporoparietal suture
located between the temporal and parietal bones; also known as the squamous suture
process
a projection or outgrowth of bone or tissue
symphysis
in the center of the mandible, forms the chin, and is called the mental or chin protuberance
alveolar process
bone growth or border of the maxilla and the mandible; makes up and forms the tooth socket
condyloid process
posterior growth on the ramus of the mandible; articulates with the temporal bone in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
coronoid process
anterior growth on the ramus of the mandible that serves as the attachment position for the temporalis muscle
frontal process
the projection of maxilla meeting with the frontal bone to form the eye orbit
infraorbital process
growth process from the zygomatic bone that articulates with the maxilla to form the lower side of the eye orbit
mastoid process
growth on the temporal bone behind the ear that is used for muscle attachment
pterygoid process
growth of the sphenoid bone extending downward from the bone; the most inferior end of the process is known as the pterygoid hamulus, a hook-like end that serves as a site for muscle attachment
styloid process
small, pointed growth from the lower border of the temporal bone, serves as a bone position for attachment of some tongue muscles.
foramen
an opening or hole in the bone for nerve and vessel passage
magnum foramen
opening in the occipital bone for spinal cord passage; largest of all foramina
mandibular foramen
located on the lingual side of the ramus of the mandible; permits nerve and vessels passage to teeth and mouth tissues
mental foramen
opening situated on left and the right anterior areas of the mandible; used for passage of nerve and vessels
lingual foramen
small opening in the center of the mental spine for nerve passage to the incisor area
incisive foramen
opening in the maxilla behind the central incisors on the eye orbit
supraorbital foramen
an opening in the frontal bone above the eye orbit
infraorbital foramen
an opening in the maxilla under the eye orbit
palatine foramen
anterior and posterior openings in the hard palate
zygomaticofacial foramen
an opening in the zygomatic bone
periosteum
forms a lining on all surfaces, except the areas of articulation
lining mucosa
mucous membrane that lines the inner surfaces of the lips and the cheeks
masticatory mucosa
elastic type of mucous membrane that undergoes stress and pull; located around the alveolar area of the teeth and lines the hard palate
specialized muscosa
smoother muscous tissue found on the dorsal side of the tongue
ramus
ascending part of the mandible that arises from the curved, lower arch
angle of the mandible
area along the lower edge of the mandible where the upward curve of the mandible forms
sigmoid notch
S-shaped curvature between the condyle and coronoid processes; upper border of the mandible; also called the mandibular notch
mylohyoid ridge
bony ridge on the lingual surface of the mandible
oblique line
slanted, bony growth ridge on the facial side of the mandible
retromolar area
space located to the rear of the mandibular molars
glenoid
aka mandibular fossa; the condyle of the mandible rests in this depression of the temporal bone
articular eminence
forms the anterior boundary of the fossa and helps maintain the mandible in position
meniscus
an articular disc
synovial fluid
cushions and lubricates the joints that works in a hinge-action movement
mastication
chewing
temporal mastication
elevates and lowers the jaw and can draw the mandible backward
masseter mastication
the muscle that closes the mouth; the principle mastication muscle
internal pterygoid mastication
muscle that opens the jaw and thrusts the mandible forward; assists with lateral movement
orbicularis oris muscle
aka the kissing muscle; a circular muscle surrounding the mouth that compacts, compresses and protrudes the lips
buccinator muscle
principal cheek muscle; compresses the cheek, expels air through the lips and aids in food mastication
mentalis muscle
muscle of the chin (mental) that moves the chin tissue and raises or lowers the lower lip
olfactory nerve
sensory, smell
optic nerve
sensory, vision
oculomotor nerve
motor, upper-eyelid and eyeball movement
trochlear nerve
motor, eye movement and sensation
trigeminal nerve
motor/sensory, dental and face nerve
abducens nerve
motor, lateral eye sense and movement
facial nerve
motor, taste sense and facial expression
vestibulocochlear nerve
motor, equilibrium, hearing, sensation
glossopharyngeal nerve
motor, taste sensation, swallowing, regulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide breaths
vagus nerve
motor, taste sensation of epiglottis, pharynx, blood pressure, smooth muscle of gastrointestinal system, heart rate, digestion
accessory nerve
motor, body sensation, muscles of shoulders
hypoglossal nerve
motor, body sensation, tongue movement in speech and swallowing
trigeminal nerve
the most important nerve connected with dentistry, fifth cranial nerve
gasserian/ semilunar ganglion
mass of nerves
ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve
smallest of the three divisions; a purely sensory nerve that has three branches
lacrimal nerve (ophthalmic division)
carries sensations from the lacrimal gland and eye conjunctiva
frontal nerve (ophthalmic division)
carries sensation from the forehead, scalp, upper eyelid, and nasal root
nasociliary nerve (ophthalmic division)
carries sensations from the nose, eye, and eyebrow
maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
a sensory division of the trigeminal nerve that has several branches
anterior palatine (maxillary)
carries sensations from the hard palate, periosteum, and mucous membrane of the molars and premolar teeth; sometimes considered the greater palatine nerve
middle palatine (maxillary)
carries sensation from the soft palate, the uvula, and upper or soft part of the palate, along with the posterior palatine nerve; may be grouped as lesser palatine nerves
posterior palatine (maxillary)
carries sensation from the tonsils and the soft palate
nasopalatine (maxillary)
carries senasation from the nose and the anterior area of the palate
infraorbital (maxillary)
subdivides into three parts
anterior superior alveolar branch (infraorbital)
carries sensation from the maxillary centrals, laterals, and canines
middle superior alveolar branch (infraorbital)
carries sensation from the maxillary premolars and the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar
posterior superior alveolar branch (infraorbital)
carries sensations from the maxillary second and third molar, and the remaining roots of the maxillary first molar
zygomatic nerve (maxillary)
carries sensation from the lacrimal and upper cheek
sphenopalatine (maxillary)
sensory nerve ending from the maxillary anterior mucosal and palatine tissues
mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
mixed nerve division that registers sensation and causes movement. Consists of several branches