Axial skeleton Flashcards
Axial skeleton
Divided into 3 parts: skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage

Skull
Composed of the cranium and facial bones

Frontal bone
Anterior portion of cranium; forms the forehead, superior part of the orbit, and floor of anterior cranial fossa

Supraorbital foramen (notch)
Opening above each orbit allowing blood vessels and nerves to pass

Glabella
Smooth area between the eyes

Parietal bone
Posterolateral to the frontal bone, forming sides of cranium

Sagittal suture
Midline articulation point of the two parietal bones

Coronal suture
Point of articulation of parietals with frontal bone

Temporal bone
Inferior to parietal bone of lateral skull. Can be divided into three major parts: squamous part (borders the parietals) the tympanic part (surrounds the external ear opening) and the petrous part (forms the lateral portion of the skull base and contains the mastoid process

Squamos suture
Point of articulation of the temporal bone with the parietal bone

Zygomatic process
A bridge-like projection joining the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) anteriorly.

Mandibular fossa
Rounded depression on the inferior surface of the zygomatic process; forms the socket for the condylar process of the mandible, where the mandible joins the cranium

External acoustic meatus
Canal leading to eardrum and middle ear

Styloid process
Needle like projection inferior to external acoustic meatus

Jugular foramen
Opening medial to the styloid process through which the internal jugular vein and cranial nerves IX, X, and XI pass

Carotid canal
Opening medial to the styloid process through which the internal carotid artery passes into the cranial cavity

Internal acoustic meatus
Opening on posterior aspect of temporal bone allowing passage of cranial nerves VII and VIII

Foramen lacerum
Jagged opening between the petrous temporal bone and the sphenoid providing passage for a number of small nerves and for the internal carotid artery to enter the middle cranial fossa

Stylomastoid foramen
Tiny opening between the mastoid and styloid process through which cranial nerve VII leaves the cranium

Mastoid process
Rough projection inferior and posterior to external acoustic meatus; attachment site for muscles

Occipital bone
Most posterior bone of cranium- forms floor and back wall

Lambdoid suture
Site of articulation of occipital bone and parietal bones

Foramen magnum
Large opening in base of occipital, which allows the spinal cord to join with the brain

Occipital condyles
Rounded projections lateral to the foramen magnum that articulate with the first cervical vertebra























































