Musculoskeletal Block: The Skull and Vertebral Column

Adduction

The movement of a limb or body part towards the midline of the body.

Abduction

The movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.

Lambdoid suture

The suture between the parietal bone and the occipital bone.

Coronal suture

The suture between the frontal bone and the parietal bones.

Sagittal suture

The suture that runs along the midline of the skull between the parietal bones.

Bregma

The junction where the sagittal suture and the coronal suture meet.

Lambda

The junction where the sagittal suture and the lambdoid suture meet.

Fontanelle

Soft spots in the skull of infants that allow for growth of the brain.

Vomer

Bone that forms the inferior portion of the nasal septum.

Palatine bone

Bone that forms the posterior part of the hard palate.

Ethmoid bone

Bone that makes up the superior part of the nasal cavity.

Cranial fossa

Depressions in the skull that accommodate the brain.

Foramen

An opening in the skull for the passage of nerves and vessels.

Foramen Ovale

An opening through which the mandibular nerve passes.

Foramen Magnum

The large opening in the skull where the spinal cord passes through.

Jugular Foramen

Opening for the internal jugular vein and cranial nerves IX, X, XI.

Carotid Canal

Opening for the internal carotid artery.

Muscles of facial expression

Unique muscles that move the skin to create facial expressions.

Cranial nerve VII

Facial nerve that supplies muscles of facial expression.

Orbicularis Oculi

Muscle surrounding the eye that helps close it.

Orbicularis Oris

Muscle surrounding the mouth that helps pucker the lips.

Platysma

Muscle that extends from the neck to the face, helping to depress the mouth.

Occipitofrontalis

Muscle on the scalp made up of frontal and occipital bellies, connected by an aponeurosis.

Bell’s Palsy

Paralysis of the facial nerve causing drooping of the face.

Muscles of mastication

Muscles responsible for moving the mandible during chewing.

Cranial nerve V

Trigeminial nerve that supplies the muscles of mastication.

Masseter

Muscle that elevates the mandible.

Temporalis

Muscle that elevates and retracts the mandible.

Medial pterygoid

Muscle that elevates and protrudes the mandible.

Lateral pterygoid

Muscle that protrudes the mandible.

Mandibular nerve

A branch of the trigeminal nerve that supplies the lower jaw.

Trigeminal nerve

Mixed nerve providing sensory and motor function to the face.

Ophthalmic nerve

Branch of the trigeminal nerve responsible for sensation in the forehead.

Maxillary nerve

Branch of the trigeminal nerve responsible for sensation in the upper jaw.

Mandibular nerve

Mixed nerve that supplies muscles of mastication and sensations in the lower jaw.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

A synovial joint responsible for the movement of the mandible.

Movements of the mandible

Depression, elevation, protrusion, retraction, and rotation.

Articular cartilage

Cartilage that covers the surfaces of joints to reduce friction.

Articular disc

Structure that separates the TMJ into upper and lower cavities allowing different movements.

Lateral temporomandibular ligament

Ligament that prevents retraction of the mandible.

Sphenomandibular ligament

Ligament that helps secure the TMJ.

Stylomandibular ligament

Ligament that secures the joint and allows the mandible to rotate without dislocation.

Synovial joint

A joint characterized by a fluid-filled joint cavity.

Cranial nerve

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain.