Chapter 1: Introduction to Head and Neck Anatomy

What do dental professionals must have when performing patient examination procedures?

A thorough understanding of head and neck anatomy when performing both extraoral and intraoral examination procedures

How does knowledge of head and neck anatomy help during patient examination?

Helps determine whether any abnormal findings or pathologic lesions exist and possibly indicate etiology and degree of involvement

How does knowledge of head and neck anatomy help with patient records?

Provides a basis for description of the lesion and its location

How is anatomy used during dental imaging?

During dental imaging, the dental professional uses surface landmarks; understanding of anatomy is also important in analysis of images.

What must a dental professional understand when a dental patient presents with features of temporomandibular joint disorder?

The anatomy of the joint to understand various disorders associated with it

What is the administration of local anesthesia based on?

Landmarks of the head and neck

How does knowledge of anatomy help with local anesthesia?

Helps the dental professional plan to reduce pain levels

How does knowledge of anatomy help with placement of local anesthesia?

Allows for correct placement of the syringe and its anesthetic agent, potentially avoiding complications while still confirming clinical efficacy.

What may a dental professional specifically note during patient examination?

The presence of dental (or odontogenic) infection.

How does knowledge of anatomy help with dental/odontogenic infections?

Helps the dental professional understand the source of infection, as well as regions to which it could spread

What is anatomic nomenclature based on?

The body being in anatomic position

What is anatomic position?

The body is standing erect, arms at sides with palms and toes directed forward and eyes forward

What should we assume about nomenclature when the body is in supine or prone or when sitting in a dental chair ?

The anatomic position still applies

What is anterior?

Structure being in front

What is posterior?

Structure being in back

What is superior?

Structure that is toward the head and away from feet

What is inferior?

Structure that is away from the head and toward the feet

What is superficial?

Structure located toward the surface of the body

What is deep?

Structure located inward away from the body surface

What can basic anatomic terms be used for?

To give information about location within hollow structures like the braincase of the skull

What is internal?

Inner side of wall of hollow structure

What is external?

Outer side of wall of hollow structure

What are anatomic nomenclatures for relationships between structure?

Ipsilateral and contralateral

What is ipsilateral?

Structure on same side of the body

What is contralateral?

Structure on opposite side of the body

What is apex (apices) or tip?

Pointed end of conical (cone) structure

What are examples can the apex nomenclature be used for?

Tip of the tongue, the tragus

What are the anatomic nomenclature planes?

Midsagittal/median plane, sagittal plane, coronal/frontal plane, transverse/axial plane

What does a midsagittal/median plane do?

Centered at the midline divides the body into equal right and left halves

What does a sagittal plane do?

Divides the body parallel or equidistant to the midsagittal plane in same lengthwise manner

What does a coronal/frontal plane do?

Divides the body at any level vertically into anterior and posterior parts

What does a transverse/axial plane do?

Divides the body at any level horizontally into superior and inferior parts and always perpendicular or at right angle to midsagittal plane

How do you describe the structure location if it’s at the midsagittal plane?

median

What is medial?

Structure closer to the midsagittal plane of the body compared to another structure

What is mesial?

Structure closer to the midline of the oral cavity when talking about teeth

What is lateral?

Structure father away from midsagittal plane of the body

What is proximal?

Structure closer to midsagittal plane when referring to limbs

What is distal?

Structure farther away from midsagittal plane OR midline of oral cavity with teeth

What two area designation nomenclatures do we use when referring to the oral cavity?

mesial and distal

What anatomic nomenclature do we use when we are talking about an area designation of a structure?

Combine basic anatomic terms together

What are is an example of a combine anatomic nomenclature for a structure that is anterior and lateral?

anterolateral

What does dividing planes into sections do?

To designate specific anatomy

What does newer technology of images do for the use of anatomic nomenclature sections?

To designate specific anatomy for added depth of study without the need of dissection

What is this photo an example of?

A midsagittal section cut by a midsagittal plane

What is this photo an example of?

Sagittal sections cut by sagittal planes

What is this photo an example of?

Coronal sections cut by coronal planes

What is this photo an example of?

A transverse section cut by a transverse plane

What is this photo an example of?

Transverse sections cut by transverse planes

What is this photo an example of?

A midsagittal section of the head and neck

What is this photo an example of?

A coronal section of a head

What is something dental professionals need to understand when studying anatomy about patients?

There can be anatomic variations of the head and neck structures

What can stay constant among all patients anatomy?

The numbers of bones and muscles in the head and neck

What can change among all patients anatomy?

The specific details of bones and muslces in the head and neck

How can anatomic variation change for patients?

Their dental treatment

What is image B, C and D examples of?

transverse section, sagittal section and coronal section