Anatomy of the Skull: Anterior Aspect Summary

Superior and Lateral Cranial Bones

  • Frontal bone: A shell-shaped bone that ends at the coronal suture; it features the super orbital foramen which allows passage for nerves and blood vessels.
  • Sphenoid bone: Extends from the lateral surface into the optic cavity; it houses the optic canal and the sphenoid sinus.
  • Parietal bone: A large bone covering the lateral surface of the skull.
  • Temporal bone: Situated below the parietal bone, it houses specialized bony structures for the ear.

Facial and Jaw Bones

  • Zygomatic bone: Commonly known as the cheekbone; it extends into the optic cavity and adjoins the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
  • Maxilla: Forms the upper jaw and parts of the optic cavity; it contains the infraorbital foramen for nerve and blood vessel passage.
  • Mandible: The lower jawbone; it features the mental foramen, located in the mental or chin region.
  • Nasal bone: Represents the bony top portion of the nose, distinct from the lower cartilage.
  • Lacrimal bone: Positioned on the internal surface of the optic cavity and extends into the nasal cavity.

Intranasal and Orbital Structures

  • Ethmoid bone: Includes structures within the optic cavity as well as the middle nasal concha and the perpendicular plate in the nasal cavity.
  • Inferior nasal concha: Two specific structures located within the nasal cavity.
  • Vomer: A bone mostly located on the interior, visible from the anterior aspect within the nasal cavity.