Facial Bones

Overview of Facial Bones

  • The human skull consists of a total of 22 bones.

    • Cranial bones: 8 bones forming the cranium around the brain.

    • Facial bones: 14 bones forming the face.

Mnemonic for Facial Bones

  • A simple mnemonic to remember the names of the facial bones: "My mandible chews nine very large zucchini pizzas".

    • Names represented:

    • Mandible

    • Maxilla

    • Conchae

    • Nasal

    • Vomer

    • Lacrimal

    • Zygomatic

    • Palatine

    • Each pair of bones are indicated with the word "two" for those that come in pairs.

Maxilla

  • Description:

    • There are two maxillary bones that are fused together.

    • Located at the front of the face, forming the:

    • Nasal passageway

    • Hard palate

    • Part of the orbits (eye sockets).

  • Important Features:

    • Infraorbital Foramen

    • Located below each orbit.

    • Allows passage of the infraorbital artery, vein, and nerve.

    • Important for dental nerve blocks for alleviating pain in the upper teeth.

    • Incisive Foramen

    • Located in the hard palate behind the incisors (front teeth).

    • Allows passage of the sphenopalatine artery and nasopalatine nerves.

    • Also referred to as the anterior palatine foramen.

    • Maxillary Sinuses

    • Located within the maxillary bones.

    • One of the main pairs of sinuses in the skull.

    • Further discussion in a future video.

Mandible

  • Description:

    • Also referred to as the lower jaw.

    • Articulates with the temporal bone, allowing jaw movement.

  • Important Features:

    • Mental Foramen

    • Located on either side of the mandible.

    • A passage for the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar nerve and corresponding blood vessels.

    • Essential for administering anesthesia to the jaw and lower teeth.

    • Coronoid Process

    • An anterior projection off the ramus of the mandible.

    • Serves as an attachment point for the temporal muscle.

    • Condylar Process

    • Located posteriorly on the ramus, articulating with the temporal bone.

    • Works with the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone for the jaw movement.

    • Mandibular Foramen

    • An opening on either side of the mandible.

    • Provides passage for the inferior alveolar nerve, artery, and vein.

    • Another site for potential nerve blocks.

Nasal Conchae

  • Description:

    • Comprises three sets of bones—superior, middle, and inferior nasal conchae.

    • Inferior nasal conchae are distinct facial bones, while the superior and middle are part of the ethmoid bone.

    • The inferior conchae are located within the nose, one on each side.

Nasal Bones

  • Description:

    • Represented as the bridge of the nose, primarily made of cartilage.

    • The only bony component is where the nasal bones are located.

Vomer Bone

  • Description:

    • An unpaired bone located in the midline of the nasal cavity.

    • Forms the inferior portion of the nasal septum, which separates the nostrils.

  • Articulations:

    • Joins with facial bones: maxillae and palatine bones.

    • Joins with cranial bones: ethmoid and sphenoid bones.

Lacrimal Bones

  • Description:

    • The smallest bones in the skull, forming part of the medial aspect of each orbit.

    • The term lacrima means tears in Latin, indicating their involvement in tear production and drainage.

Zygomatic Bones

  • Description:

    • Known as the cheekbones.

    • Contribute to the structure of the orbits and are palpable on the side of the face.

  • Important Features:

    • Temporal Process

    • A projection from the posterior aspect of the zygomatic bone.

    • Joins with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to form the zygomatic arch (cheekbone).

Palatine Bones

  • Description:

    • Located deeper in the skull, not easily visualized in standard images.

    • Participate in forming three cavities:

    • Orbits

    • Nasal cavity

    • Oral cavity.

  • Specific Contributions:

    • Part of the floor of the orbits.

    • Lateral walls and the floor of the nasal cavity.

    • Roof of the oral cavity (posterior aspect).

  • Distinction from the maxillary bones, which form the anterior aspect of the roof of the mouth.