Facial & Cranial Bones

Frontal Bone

the large cranial bone forming the front part of the cranium: the forehead and the upper part of the orbits

Parietal Bone

either of two skull bones between the frontal and occipital bones and forming the top and sides of the cranium

Temporal Bone

bone that forms parts of the side of the skull and floor of the cranial activity.

Occipital Bone

a saucer-shaped membrane bone that forms the back of the skull

sphenoid bone

bat-shaped bone that is described as the keystone bone in the cranium because it articulates with all other cranial bones

ethmoid bone

contributes to the anterior cranial fossa; forms part of the nasal septum and the nasal cavity; contributes to the medial wall of orbit

Sagittal Suture

Located on the midline of the skull lies between both parietal bones (immovable joint)

Coronal Suture

the suture between the parietal and frontal bones of the skull

Lambdoid Suture

suture that separates parietal bones from occipital bone

Squamous Suture

between parietal bone and temporal bone on side of the skull, bordered in back by occipital bone

supraorbital margin

frontal; thick margin of the eye socket that lies beneath the eyebrows

supraorbital foramen

frontal; opening above each orbit allowing blood vessels and nerves to pass

Glabella

frontal; smooth area between the eyes

zygomatic

cheekbones; each form a lateral orbit

zygomatic process

temporal; a bridgelike projection that articulates with the zygomatic bone to form the zygomatic arch

mandibular fossa

temporal; located on the inferior surface of the zygomatic process; receives the condylar process from of the mandible to form the temporomandibular joint

External acoustic Meatus

temporal; canal leading to the middle ear and eardrum

Styloid Process

temporal; needlelike process that serves as an attachment point for ligaments and muscles of the neck

Jugular Foramen

temporal; located where the petrous part of the temporal bone joins the occipital bone; forms an opening which the internal jugular vein and cranial nerves IX, X, and XI pass

Mastoid Process

temporal; located posterior to the external acoustic meatus; serves as an attachment point for neck muscles

Foramen Magnum

occipital; large opening at the base of the cranium through which the spinal cord passes

Occipital Condyle

occipital; rounded projections lateral to the foramen magnum that articulates with the first cervical vertebra (atlas)

external occipital protuberance

occipital; midline prominence posterior to the foramen magnum

greater wings

sphenoid; project laterally from the sphenoid body, forming parts of the middle cranial fossa and the orbits

pterygoid processes

sphenoid; project inferiorly from the greater wings; attachment site for chewing muscles

Sella turcica

sphenoid; "turkish saddle" located on the superior surface of the body; the seat of the saddle, called the hypophyseal fossa, holds the pituitary gland

lesser wings

sphenoid; form part of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa and part of the orbit

Crista Galli

ethmoid; rooster's comb, a superior projection that attaches to the dura mater, helping to secure the brain within the skull

cribriform plates

ethmoid; located lateral to the crista galli; form a portion of the roof of the nasal cavity and the floor of the anterior cranial fossa

Maxilla

Forms most of the upper jaw, and part of the hard palate, contains upper molars, premolars, and canines

Mandible

the lower jawbone in vertebrates

Condylar Process

mandible; articulate with the mandibular fossae of the temporal bones

body

mandible; horizontal portion that forms the chin

ramus

mandible; vertical extension of the body

mental foramina

paired openings on the body; transmit blood vessels and nerves to lower lip and skin of the chin

Vomer

thin trapezoidal bone of the skull forming the posterior and inferior parts of the nasal septum