DHYG 115 - Head and Neck Anatomy: Chapters 1 & 2 Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering anatomical terms, planes, directions, surface regions of the head and neck, oral structures, and neck triangles from Chapters 1 and 2 of DHYG 115.

Anatomic Nomenclature

A system of names for anatomic structures based on the anatomical position.

Anatomical Position

The standard body stance used as a reference point: body erect, standing, arms at sides, eyes forward, with palms and toes facing forward.

Anterior

Front view; toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Back view; toward the back of the body.

Ventral

The front of an area of the body.

Dorsal

The back of an area of the body.

Superior

Toward the head.

Inferior

Toward the feet.

Apex

The tip of a structure, such as the tip of the tongue or the root of a tooth.

Median Plane

An imaginary vertical line passing through the body that divides it into equal right and left halves; also called the midsagittal plane.

Medial

Located toward the midline or median plane of the body; also referred to as proximal.

Lateral

Located away from the midline or median plane of the body; also referred to as distal.

Sagittal Plane

Any plane parallel to the median plane.

Frontal Plane

A plane that divides the body at any level into anterior and posterior portions; also called coronal plane.

Horizontal Plane

A plane dividing the body at any level into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) portions, perpendicular to the median plane; also called transverse plane.

Ipsilateral

Refers to structures located on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Refers to structures located on opposite sides of the body.

Superficial

Refers to structures located near the surface of the body.

Deep

Refers to structures located further away or inward from the surface of the body.

Frontal Region

Region of the head that includes the forehead and the area superior to the eyes.

Supraorbital Ridge

The raised area of the frontal bone located near the eyebrows; also known as superciliary arch.

Glabella

The smooth depression between the eyes on the frontal bone.

Frontal Eminence

The prominence or protrusion of the forehead.

Parietal Region

Region of the head overlying the parietal bones, covered by the scalp.

Occipital Region

Region of the head overlying the occipital bone, covered by the scalp.

Temporal Region

Region of the head overlying the temporal bones, where the external ear is a prominent feature.

External Acoustic Meatus

The ear canal located within the temporal region.

Tragus

The small flap of tissue located in front of the external acoustic meatus.

Orbital Region

Region of the head containing the eyeball and its supporting structures.

Nasal Region

Region of the head containing the external nose.

Nasion

The midline junction and deepest posterior depression between the nasal bones and the frontal bone.

Nasal Septum

The vertical partition that divides the nasal cavity.

Ala

The cartilaginous wing-like structure on either side of the nose.

Naris

The nostril opening of the nose; plural is nares.

Orthodontic Cephalometric Tracing

An overlay drawing made on a lateral skull X-ray to map dental, skeletal, and soft-tissue structures.

Infraorbital Region

Region of the head located inferior to the orbital region and lateral to the nasal region.

Zygomatic Region

Region of the head overlying the cheekbone, extending from underneath the lateral aspect of the eye toward the upper portion of the ear.

Buccal Region

Region consisting of the soft tissues of the cheek, bounded by the nose, mouth, and ear.

Mental Region

Region of the head that encompasses the chin.

Mental Protuberance

The anatomical prominence of the chin.

Labiomental Groove

The horizontal groove located between the lower lip and the chin.

Oral Region

Region of the head containing the lips and oral cavity, including the palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, and parts of the throat.

Labial Mucosa

The mucous membrane lining the inner surfaces of the lips.

Palate

The roof of the mouth, divided into the hard palate and soft palate.

Body of the Tongue

The anterior two-thirds portion of the tongue.

Base of the Tongue

The posterior one-third portion of the tongue.

Circumvallate Lingual Papillae

Large, round papillae ($12$ to $15$ total) located on the posterior dorsum of the tongue.

Filiform Lingual Papillae

Fine, thread-like papillae located on the anterior dorsum of the tongue.

Foliate Lingual Papillae

Leaf-shaped papillae found on the lateral surfaces and dorsum of the tongue.

Fungiform Lingual Papillae

Mushroom-shaped papillae distributed across the dorsum of the tongue.

Sublingual Caruncle

Small papilla containing the openings of the salivary ducts located at the base of the oral cavity.

Nasopharynx

The superior part of the pharynx located superior to the soft palate, continuous with the nasal cavity.

Oropharynx

The middle section of the pharynx located between the soft palate and the opening of the larynx, containing the epiglottis.

Laryngopharynx

The inferior portion of the pharynx located lower down the throat, not visible during a standard oral inspection.

Sternocleidomastoid Muscle

A major muscle of the neck extending from the sternum and clavicle to the mastoid process, which divides each side of the neck into anterior and posterior triangles.

Anterior Cervical Triangle

The region of the neck bounded posteriorly by the sternocleidomastoid muscle, superiorly by the hyoid bone, and anteriorly by the midline of the neck.

Posterior Cervical Triangle

The region of the neck bounded anteriorly by the sternocleidomastoid muscle, posteriorly by the trapezius muscle, and inferiorly by the clavicle.

Temporomandibular Joint

The joint formed by the articulation between the temporal bone of the skull and the mandible (lower jaw bone).