Anatomy of the skull

Anatomy of the Skull

• Review structures of the skull.

• Focus on the frontal and parietal bones.

• Learn about foramen: holes in bones for nerves and blood vessels.

  • Most foramen are paired; e.g., from eyes to brain.

  • Foramen Magnum:

    • Largest foramen at midline.

    • It is the exit point for the spinal cord from the brain.

  • Occipital Condyles:

    • Located on either side of the foramen magnum.

    • Form a joint with the first vertebra for head nodding.

Temporal Bone:

• Six key structures on the temporal bone, some visible from the bottom:

  • Mandibular Fossa:

    • Area where the mandible (lower jaw) forms a joint with the skull.

  • Jugular Foramen:

    • Large irregular hole for the jugular vein.

  • Carotid Canal:

    • Passage for the carotid artery, sometimes not well represented in models.

  • Zygomatic Bone and Arch:

    • Cheekbone area, includes parts of the zygomatic and temporal bones.

  • Mastoid Process:

    • Bump behind the ear, where jaw muscles attach.

Inside the Skull Structures:

• Split the cranium to observe:

  • Sella Turcica:

    • U-shaped depression where the pituitary gland sits.

  • Foramina on Sphenoid Bone:

    • Foramen Spinosum, Foramen Ovale, and Foramen Rotundum for transmitting nerves and blood vessels.

Ethmoid Bone:

• Focus on parts during study; not to identify as a bone on tests.

  • Cribriform Plate:

    • Contains holes for the olfactory nerves to transmit smell.

  • Nasal Conchae:

    • Bumps in the nostrils, aiding in air filtration and swirling for olfaction.

Mandible Anatomy:

• Body: Jawline area.

• Ramus: Vertical part rising towards the ear.

Anatomy of the Vertebrae:

• Different types in the spinal column:

  • Cervical Vertebrae:

    • Smallest, delicate bones (7 total).

    • Defined by Transverse Foramen for arteries.

  • Thoracic Vertebrae:

    • Larger vertebrae with long downward-pointing spinous processes (12 total).

  • Lumbar Vertebrae:

    • Largest; support more weight (5 total).

  • Intervertebral Foramen:

    • Spaces between adjacent vertebrae for nerve exit.

Ribs and Sternum:

• Ribs:

  • 12 pairs total, attach to thoracic vertebrae.

  • Sternal End: Blunt end connecting to the sternum via costal cartilage.

  • Types:

    • True Ribs (1-7): Attach individually to sternum.

    • False Ribs (8-10): Connect to the sternum via cartilage of the 7th rib.

    • Floating Ribs (11-12): No connection to sternum.

• Sternum Parts:

  • Manubrium: Top of the sternum.

  • Body: Central part.

  • Xiphoid Process: Small tip at the bottom, important for CPR techniques.