Axial Skeleton-Skull

Squama of frontal bone

The large, flat portion that forms most of the frontal bone. Clue: squama = flat.

Paranasal Sinuses

Mucosa-lined, air-filled spaces found in 4 skull bones.

What is the function of the paranasal sinuses?

Small openings connect sinuses to nasal cavity and lighten the skull and enhance the resonance of the voice.

Grooves for meningeal vessels

Found on the inner surface

Hyoid bone

Horseshoe shaped bone which serves as an attachment point for muscles and ligaments of the tongue and larynx.

Supraorbital margin

The upper border of the orbit (eye socket), formed by the frontal bone. Clue: supra = above the orbit.

Supraorbital foramen/notch

A small hole or indentation located along the supraorbital margin. Clue: small opening above the eye.

Inferior nasal concha

The largest of the paired, scroll-like facial bones attached to the lateral wall of the nasal cavity

What is this hollow space that is on the front?

Frontal sinus

Zygomatic process of frontal bone

A projection of the frontal bone that extends toward and articulates with the zygomatic bone. Clue: frontal → zygomatic.

Parietal eminence

A rounded bump on the lateral surface of the parietal bone. Clue: eminence = bump.

Carotid foramen (canal)

An opening on the inferior aspect of the temporal bone that houses and protects the internal carotid artery. Clue: carotid artery passes through it.

External auditory (acoustic) meatus

An opening on the lateral temporal bone that leads into the ear canal and collects sound. Clue: the visible ear hole.

Internal auditory meatus

An opening on the medial aspect of the petrous temporal bone that houses nerves involved in hearing and balance. Clue: internal = inside/medial side.

Mandibular fossa

An indentation on the inferior temporal bone where the mandible articulates. Clue: the jaw fits into this depression.

Mastoid process

A large, bumpy projection of the temporal bone located just posterior to the external auditory meatus. Clue: big bump behind the ear.

Petrous portion

A dense, rock-like portion of the temporal bone located medially. Clue: petrous = rock-like.

Styloid process

A thin, pointed projection of the temporal bone located just inferior to the external auditory meatus. Clue: sharp spike below the ear.

Stylomastoid foramen

A small opening located between the styloid and mastoid processes of the temporal bone. Clue: styloid + mastoid = hole between them.

Zygomatic process of temporal bone

A projection of the temporal bone that extends anteriorly and articulates with the zygomatic bone. Clue: temporal → zygomatic.

External occipital crest

A medial ridge on the occipital bone that connects the external occipital protuberance to the foramen magnum. Clue: middle ridge running down toward the big hole.

External occipital protuberance

A bony projection located in the middle of the posterior occipital bone. Clue: bump in the middle of the back of the skull.

What is this bone and detail?

Maxilla, maxillary sinus

Foramen magnum

The largest opening in the skull, located in the center of the occipital bone. The spinal cord passes through it. Clue: biggest hole in the skull.

Fossa for cerebellum

Two indentations on the superior/internal surface of the occipital bone that house the cerebellum. They are located posterior to the foramen magnum. Clue: cerebellum = posterior fossa.

Hypoglossal canal

A small opening located along the lateral edges of the foramen magnum that allows passage of the hypoglossal nerve. Clue: next to the big hole.

Inferior nuchal line

A ridge on the occipital bone that extends laterally from the external occipital crest. Clue: lower ridge.

Jugular foramen

An opening formed at the boundary between the occipital and temporal bones. On an individual occipital bone, it is formed by the jugular notch. Clue: temporal + occipital = jugular foramen.

Occipital condyles

Projections on the sides of the foramen magnum that articulate with the vertebral column. Clue: bumps beside the big hole that connect to the spine.

Superior nuchal line

A ridge on the occipital bone that extends laterally from the external occipital protuberance. Clue: upper ridge.

Cribriform plate

A thin part of the ethmoid bone with many small holes called olfactory foramina. Clue: looks like a sieve.

Crista galli

A vertical projection of the ethmoid bone located medially above the cribriform plate. Clue: rooster's crest.

Ethmoid sinuses

Air-filled spaces within the ethmoid bone. Clue: empty air spaces inside the ethmoid.

Middle nasal concha

A curved projection of the ethmoid bone on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. It is the inferior pair of conchae belonging to the ethmoid bone. Clue: middle concha = middle/lower ethmoid concha.

Perpendicular plate

A flat, vertical structure of the ethmoid bone located medially that forms the superior portion of the nasal septum. Clue: vertical nose divider.

Jugular notch

A small bony indentation located on the front edge of the jugular process (half)

Superior nasal concha

A curved projection of the ethmoid bone on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. It is the superior pair of conchae belonging to the ethmoid bone. Clue: highest ethmoid concha.

Alveolar process of maxilla

A projection of the maxilla that creates pockets (alveoli) for the teeth. Clue: the upper jaw's "gums" where the teeth sit.

Infraorbital foramen

A small opening in the maxilla located just below the orbit (eye socket). Clue: infra = below the eye.

Frontal process of maxilla

A projection of the maxilla that extends superiorly and articulates with the frontal bone. Clue: maxilla → frontal.

Maxillary sinus

An air-filled space inside the maxilla. Clue: hollow space inside the upper jaw.

Palatine process of maxilla

A projection of the maxilla that forms the anterior portion of the hard palate (roof of the mouth). Clue: maxilla = front part of the hard palate.

Zygomatic process of maxilla

A projection of the maxilla that extends laterally and articulates with the zygomatic bone. Clue: maxilla → cheekbone.

Alveolar process of mandible

A projection of the mandible that creates pockets (alveoli) for the teeth. Clue: the lower jaw's "gums" where the teeth sit.

Angle of mandible

The corner of the mandible where the body meets the ramus. Clue: the back/lower corner of the jaw.

Body of mandible

The large anterior portion of the mandible that contains the mental foramen and alveolar processes. Clue: main/front part of the lower jaw.

Condylar process

A posterior superior projection of the ramus that forms part of the joint between the mandible and temporal bone. Clue: posterior bump of the two upper jaw projections.

Coronoid process

An anterior superior projection of the ramus. Clue: anterior bump of the two upper jaw projections; resembles a hook.

Mandibular foramen

An opening on the medial surface of the ramus of the mandible. Clue: hole on the inside of the jaw's ramus.

Mandibular notch

The indentation between the coronoid process and condylar process. Clue: notch = dip between the two processes.

Mental foramen

An opening in the mandible near the chin. Clue: mental = chin.

Ramus

The vertical portion of the mandible that extends superiorly from the body. Clue: the upright/back part of the lower jaw.

Palatine bone

A bone that forms the posterior portion of the hard palate (roof of the mouth). Clue: palatine = back part of the hard palate.

Foramen lacerum

A relatively large opening medial to the foramen ovale. Only part is visible when the sphenoid is separated from the skull. CLUE: Lacerum = medial to ovale.

Foramen ovale

An oval-shaped opening in the greater wing, posterior/lateral to the foramen rotundum. CLUE: Ovale = oval.

Foramen rotundum

A round opening in the greater wing, medial/anterior to the foramen ovale. CLUE: Rotundum = round.

Foramen spinosum

A small opening just lateral to the foramen ovale. CLUE: Spinosum = small + lateral to ovale.

Greater wing

The large lateral projection of the sphenoid that contains several foramina. CLUE: Greater = BIG wings.

Lesser wing

A smaller projection extending superiorly/anteriorly from the sphenoid. CLUE: Lesser = small wings.

Optic canal

An opening near the medial lesser wing that carries the optic nerve. CLUE: Optic = eye/vision.

Pterygoid processes

Projections extending inferiorly from the sphenoid. CLUE: Pterygoid = processes point DOWN.

Sella turcica

A saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid that houses/protects the pituitary gland. CLUE: Turkish saddle = pituitary.

Superior orbital fissure

A large, irregular slit-like opening of the sphenoid, best seen from the anterior view. CLUE: Fissure = long/irregular opening near the orbit.