Anatomy

Question 1

There are morphological differences in each of the different sutures due to…

Answer 1

• Different parts of the brain grow at different rates which can result in different times of formation and interdigitation (sutures) of skull bones
• All sutures begin straight but will eventually become interdigitated
• The lambdoid suture is thought to be particularly pronounced due to the more complex biomechanical forces at this site due to the increased number of bones contributing to the suture and the precocious development of the underlying brain tissue in this area
• The lambdoid suture could be identified due to its very characteristic jagged appearance. Also, the squamosal suture could be identified due to its thin and non-jagged appearance

Question 2

Difference between facial (viscerocranial) and brain (neurocranial) development

Answer 2

• The neurocranium must be more well developed at birth due to the level of brain development and growth that is required to sustain some early basic reflexes
• Conversely the viscerocranium does not need to be well developed at birth as the infant only needs the mouth parts for suckling

Question 3

Why are the orbits so disproportionally large?

Answer 3

The eyes are an extension of the brain and are precociously large at birth, therefore requiring a large orbit

Question 4

what are the 4 vault bones?

Answer 4

• Frontal
• Parietal
• Sphenoid
• Occipital

Question 5

describe foramen huschke

Answer 5

Exists in young children and is an artefact of the tympanic plate closing to form the external ear canal

Question 6

Intra-articular disc

Answer 6

• Completely divides the joint cavity into the upper joint space and the lower joint space
• Consists of: anterior extension; disc proper; posterior extension

Question 7

Answer 7