ANATOMY-II-head-and-neck-Skull

Sutures and Ligament

  • Sutures: Fibrous joints in the skull formed by the connection of bones.

  • Sutural ligament: Connective tissue between sutures.

Skull Structure

  • Cranium: Upper part of the skull composed of 8 bones.

  • Face: Comprises 14 facial bones.

  • Diploë: Layer of spongy bone between two layers of compact bone in the skull.

  • Mandible: Unique for being mobile, connected to skull via temporomandibular joint.

Cranial Bones

  • Frontal bone: 1 (forehead area)

  • Parietal bones: 2 (sides/top)

  • Occipital bone: 1 (back)

  • Temporal bones: 2 (sides)

  • Sphenoid bone: 1 (base)

  • Ethmoid bone: 1 (nasal cavity)

Facial Bones

  • Zygomatic bones: 2 (cheekbones)

  • Maxillae: 2 (upper jaw)

  • Nasal bones: 2 (bridge of the nose)

  • Lacrimal bones: 2 (eye socket)

  • Vomer: 1 (nasal septum)

  • Palatine bones: 2 (hard palate)

  • Inferior conchae: 2 (nasal cavity)

  • Mandible: 1 (lower jaw)

Specific Features

  • Superciliary arches: Bony ridges over the eyes.

  • Supraorbital notch/foramen: Openings in the frontal bone above the orbit.

  • Cranial base: Formed by several articulations with surrounding bones.

Frontal Bone Details

  • Articulations: Coronal suture with parietal, medial with maxillae/nasal bones, lateral with zygomatic bone.

Other Notable Structures

  • Fontanelles: Soft spots in an infant's skull that allow for growth.

  • Meninges: Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater surrounding the brain.

  • Mandible: Strongest facial bone, forms lower jaw and articulates at the TMJ.

Neural and Vascular Supply

  • Nerves: Supplied by various branches of the trigeminal nerve (V3) for sensation.

  • Arterial Supply: Supplied by branches of the external carotid artery.

  • Venous Drainage: Includes connections to internal and external jugular veins.

Key Terms

  • Pterion: Critical area of the skull where multiple bones meet, clinically significant due to the location of the middle meningeal artery.

  • Symphysis Mentis: Midline fusion point of the mandible.

Joint Movements

  • Mandibular movements: Include depression, elevation, protrusion, and retraction, facilitated by various muscles.