Unit 6 Flashcards
Define the term cranium
The bones that form the head. The cranium is made up of cranial bones (bones that surround and protect the brain) and facial bones (bones that form the eye sockets, nose, cheeks, jaw, and other parts of the face).
Distinguish between the neurocranium and the viscerocranium
The viscerocranium is a collection of bones that makeup the face skeleton. The neurocranium is the brain case or the bones of the skull that accommodate the human brain.
Name the 8 bones of the neurocranium
Frontal bone
Parietal bone x2
Occipital bone
Ethmoid bone
Sphenoid bone
Temporal bone x 2
Name the 14 bones of the viscerocranium
These bones include the paired inferior nasal conchae, nasal bones, maxillae, palatine bones, lacrimal bones and zygomatic bones, as well as the unpaired mandible, and vomer.
Use precise anatomical terminology to describe the location (relative to each other of each bone of the cranium)
The nasal septum consists of what anatomical structure? What specific parts of which bone make up the nasal septum.
The bony septum consists of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone superiorly, extending to the cribriform plate, and the vomer inferiorly, which borders the choana.
What functions of the various fora Mina of the cranial bone?
The foramina in the base of the skull allow major nerves and blood vessels to course through the skull.
What is the anatomical significance of the temporal fossa
The temporal fossa is continuous with the infratemporal fossa inferiorly. This connection is established via the opening located deep to the zygomatic arch. This is an important clinical point, mainly for spreading infections.
Anatomical significance of the anterior cranial fossa
The anterior cranial fossa is a depression in the cranial base, which primarily supports the large frontal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres.
The anatomical significance of the middle cranial fossa
There are many openings in the middle cranial fossa connecting it to other parts of the skull:
Optic canal
Superior orbital fissure
Foramen rotundum
Foramen ovale
Foramen spinosum
Foramen lacerum
Carotid canal
Hiatus for lesser petrosal nerve
Hiatus for greater petrosal nerve
Anatomical significance of the posterior cranial fossa
Posterior fossa is strategically important situated at the outlet of the cerebrospinal fluid flow from the ventricular system. The posterior fossa extends from the tentorial incisura, through which it communicates with the supratentorial space, to the foramen magnum, through which it communicates with the spinal canal.
The location of the mandibular symphysis
The mandibular symphysis is the line of fusion of the lateral halves of the body of the mandible which splits inferiorly to form the mental protuberance.
The anatomical location of the inter maxillary suture
The intermaxillary suture is a cranial suture, just below the the anterior nasal spine, between the right and left maxillary bones
The anatomical location of the supra-orbital notch aka foramen
The supraorbital foramen, is a bony elongated opening located above the orbit (eye socket) and under the forehead. It is part of the frontal bone of the skull. The supraorbital foramen lies directly under the eyebrow.
Anatomical location of the mental protuberance
The symphysis of the external surface of the mandible divides below and encloses a triangular eminence, the mental protuberance, the base of which is depressed in the center but raised on either side to form the mental tubercle.
