Head & Neck Anatomy Study Notes
HEAD & NECK ANATOMY
Introduction to Teeth
Instructor: Constance B. Phillips, DDS, MA
Overview: Understanding the anatomy of the head and neck, including anatomical nomenclature and the development of dentition.
Anatomical Nomenclature / Terms of Position
Medial: Towards the midline of the body.
Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.
Proximal: Refers to extremities using the trunk as a reference point; towards the trunk.
Distal: Refers to extremities using the trunk as a reference point; away from the trunk.
Superior: Above a structure or reference point.
Inferior: Below a structure or reference point.
Anterior (Ventral): Towards the front surface of the body.
Posterior (Dorsal): Towards the back surface of the body.
Cephalic: Towards the head.
Causal: Towards the tail end of the trunk.
Superficial: Near the surface of the body.
Deep: Inward, away from the surface of the body.
Internal: Of or situated on the inside.
External: Belonging to or forming the outer surface.
Contralateral: Relating to the opposite side of the body.
Ipsilateral: Occurring on the same side of the body.
Planes of Reference
To gain an appreciation of the relationship of various internal structures, the body is sectioned into three mutually perpendicular planes:
Sagittal Plane: A vertical and longitudinal section that divides the body into left and right portions.
Midsagittal (Median) Plane: Divides the body into equal left and right halves.
Parasagittal Plane: A plane near the midline, parallel to the sagittal plane.
Coronal (Frontal) Plane: A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
Transverse (Cross-Sectional) Plane: A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.
Regions of the Head
Frontal Region:
Flat in children and adult females; rounded in adult males.
More pronounced in children and adult females.
More pronounced in adult males.
Temporal Region:
Collects and transmits sound waves to the middle ear.
Aligns with the eyebrows and the apex of the nose.
Orbital Region:
Houses the eye within the bony socket.
Midpoint of the vertical height of the head; width of each eye matches the width between the eyes.
Nasal Region:
Lies inferior to the glabella.
Represents the junction of underlying bones.
Width between the alae equals the width of one eye; flexible when palpated.
Zygomatic and Buccal Regions
Zygomatic Region:
Extends from the lateral corner of the eye to the upper part of the ear.
Jaw hinge feels prominent when the jaw clenches.
Lips - Frontal:
Width from corner to corner equals the distance between the irises of the eyes.
Features the nasolabial sulcus and labiomental groove.
Oral Cavity:
The tuberosity is a notable area.
Buccal and Labial Mucosa
Opposite the maxillary second molar.
The buccal fat pad lies beneath the buccal mucosa.
Deepest part: Muccobuccal fold, which is the transition from buccal to alveolar mucosa.
The mucous membrane lining the cheek is also referred to as mucosa.
Oral Cavity Details
Gingiva: Soft tissue that surrounds the teeth.
Palate:
The uvula hangs from the end of the soft palate in the midline.
The retromolar pad is located distal to teeth #17 & #32.
The pterygomandibular fold extends from the junction of hard & soft palates to the distal of the mandibular third molar.
The pterygomandibular raphe comprises fibrous tissue within the fold.
Surfaces of the Tongue
Pharyngeal Portion: Present in the oral part of the throat, containing taste buds and is more prominent in children.
Dorsal Surface: Contains taste buds and separates the base from the body of the tongue.
Ventral Surface:
Contains duct openings for both the submandibular and sublingual glands.
Floor of the Mouth:
Contains similar openings for submandibular and sublingual glands.
Pharynx
Midsagittal View:
The pharynx is superior to the level of the soft palate and is continuous with the nasal cavity.
Oropharynx: This area is pertinent for swallowing and speaking.
Regions of the Neck
Definition: Verifies that the neck encompasses from the skull and mandible down to the clavicles and sternum.
Anterior Cervical Triangle
The front part of the neck, containing distinct skeletal landmarks such as the
HEAD & NECK ANATOMY
Introduction to Teeth
Instructor: Constance B. Phillips, DDS, MA
Overview: Understanding the anatomy of the head and neck, including anatomical nomenclature and the development of dentition.
Anatomical Nomenclature / Terms of Position
Medial: Towards the midline of the body.
Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.
Proximal: Refers to extremities using the trunk as a reference point; towards the trunk.
Distal: Refers to extremities using the trunk as a reference point; away from the trunk.
Superior: Above a structure or reference point.
Inferior: Below a structure or reference point.
Anterior (Ventral): Towards the front surface of the body.
Posterior (Dorsal): Towards the back surface of the body.
Cephalic: Towards the head.
Causal: Towards the tail end of the trunk.
Superficial: Near the surface of the body.
Deep: Inward, away from the surface of the body.
Internal: Of or situated on the inside.
External: Belonging to or forming the outer surface.
Contralateral: Relating to the opposite side of the body.
Ipsilateral: Occurring on the same side of the body.
Planes of Reference
To gain an appreciation of the relationship of various internal structures, the body is sectioned into three mutually perpendicular planes:
Sagittal Plane: A vertical and longitudinal section that divides the body into left and right portions.
Midsagittal (Median) Plane: Divides the body into equal left and right halves.
Parasagittal Plane: A plane near the midline, parallel to the sagittal plane.
Coronal (Frontal) Plane: A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
Transverse (Cross-Sectional) Plane: A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.
Regions of the Head
Frontal Region:
Flat in children and adult females; rounded in adult males.
More pronounced in children and adult females.
More pronounced in adult males.
Temporal Region:
Collects and transmits sound waves to the middle ear.
Aligns with the eyebrows and the apex of the nose.
Orbital Region:
Houses the eye within the bony socket.
Midpoint of the vertical height of the head; width of each eye matches the width between the eyes.
Nasal Region:
Lies inferior to the glabella.
Represents the junction of underlying bones.
Width between the alae equals the width of one eye; flexible when palpated.
Zygomatic and Buccal Regions
Zygomatic Region:
Extends from the lateral corner of the eye to the upper part of the ear.
Jaw hinge feels prominent when the jaw clenches.
Lips - Frontal:
Width from corner to corner equals the distance between the irises of the eyes.
Features the nasolabial sulcus and labiomental groove.
Oral Cavity:
The tuberosity is a notable area.
Buccal and Labial Mucosa
Opposite the maxillary second molar.
The buccal fat pad lies beneath the buccal mucosa.
Deepest part: Muccobuccal fold, which is the transition from buccal to alveolar mucosa.
The mucous membrane lining the cheek is also referred to as mucosa.
Oral Cavity Details
Gingiva: Soft tissue that surrounds the teeth.
Palate:
The uvula hangs from the end of the soft palate in the midline.
The retromolar pad is located distal to teeth #17 & #32.
The pterygomandibular fold extends from the junction of hard & soft palates to the distal of the mandibular third molar.
The pterygomandibular raphe comprises fibrous tissue within the fold.
Surfaces of the Tongue
Pharyngeal Portion: Present in the oral part of the throat, containing taste buds and is more prominent in children.
Dorsal Surface: Contains taste buds and separates the base from the body of the tongue.
Ventral Surface:
Contains duct openings for both the submandibular and sublingual glands.
Floor of the Mouth:
Contains similar openings for submandibular and sublingual glands.
Pharynx
Midsagittal View:
The pharynx is superior to the level of the soft palate and is continuous with the nasal cavity.
Oropharynx: This area is pertinent for swallowing and speaking.
Regions of the Neck
Definition: Verifies that the neck encompasses from the skull and mandible down to the clavicles and sternum.
Anterior Cervical Triangle
The front part of the neck, containing distinct skeletal landmarks such as the mandible (superiorly), the sternocleidomastoid muscle (laterally), and the midline of the neck (medially).
Subdivisions: Further divided into four smaller triangles by the digastric and omohyoid muscles:
Submandibular (Digastric) Triangle: Located inferior to the mandible.
Carotid Triangle: Contains major blood vessels and nerves of the neck.
Muscular Triangle: Houses many infrahyoid muscles and endocrine glands.
Submental Triangle: A small triangle located inferior to the chin.