Head and Neck Anatomy

mastoid air cells

air spaces in the mastoid process of the temporal bone that communicate with the middle ear cavity

Transverse Palatine Suture

an articulation between the two palatine processes of the maxiallae and the two horizontal plates of the palatine bones

Angle of the Mandible

angle at the intersection of the posterior and inferior borders of the ramus

Body of the Hyoid Bone

anterior midline portion of the hyoid bone

Piriform Aperture

anterior opening of the nasal cavity

Lesser Wing of the Sphenoid Bone

anterior process of the body of the sphenoid bone

Coronoid Process

anterior superior projection of the ramus of the mandible

Zygomatic Arch

arch formed by the union of the temporal process of the zygomatic bone and zygomatic process of the temporal bone

Anterior Arch

arch of the atlas or first cervical vertebra

Posterior Arch

arch on the first cervical vertebra

mastoid process

area on the petrous portion of the temporal bone that contains the air cells and on which the cervical muscles attach

Articulation

area where the bones are joined to each other

Temporomandibular joint

articulation between the temporal bone and mandible that allows for movement of the mandible

Hyoid Bone

bone suspended in the neck that allows the attachment of many muscles

internal acoustic meatus

bony meatus in the temporal bone that carries the seventh and eighth cranial nerves

Styloid Process

bony projection of the temporal bone that serves as an attachment for muscles and ligaments

styloid process

bony projection of the temporal bone that serves as an attachment for muscles and ligaments

Lingula

bony spine overhanging the mandibular foramen

Incisive Papilla

bulge of tissue on the hard palate over the incisive foramen

Mandibular Canal

canal in the mandible where the inferior alveolar nerve and blood vessels travel

hypoglossal canal

canal in the occipital bone that carries the twelfth cranial nerve

Optic Canal

canal in the orbital apex between the roots of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone

Carotid Canal

canal in the temporal bone that carries the internal carotid artery

carotid canal

canal in the temporal bone that carries the internal carotid artery

Infraorbital Canal

canal off the infraorbital sulcus that terminates on the surface of the maxilla as the infraorbital foramen

Nasal Cavity

cavity of the nose

Vertical Foramen

central foramen in the vertebrae for the spinal cord and associated tissues

External Oblique Line

crest on the lateral side of the mandible, where the ramus joins the body

Infratemporal Crest

crest that divides each greater wing of the sphenoid bone into temporal and infratemporal surfaces

Orbital Apex

deepest portion of the orbit composed of portions of the sphenoid and palatine bones

Ptergoid Fovea

depression on the anterior surface of the condyle of the mandible

Nasolacrimal Duct

duct formed at the junction of the lacrimal and maxillary bones that drains the lacrimal fluid or tears

Maxillary Tuberosity

elevation on the posterior aspect of the maxilla that is perforated by the posterior superior alveolar foramina

Tubercle

eminence or small, rounded elevation on the bony surface

Foramen Lacerum

foramen among the sphenoid, occipital, and temporal bones that is filled with cartilage

Mental Foramen

foramen between the apices of the mandibular first and second premolars that transmits the mental nerve and blood vessels

Jugular Foramen

foramen between the occipital and temporal bones that carries the internal jugular vein and ninth, tenth, and eleventh cranial nerves

Incisive Foramen

foramen in the maxilla that carries branches of the right and left nasopalatine nerves and blood vessels and is marked by the incisive papilla

Foramen Magnum

foramen in the occipital bone that carries the spinal cord, vertebral arteries, and eleventh cranial nerve

Greater Palatine Foramen

foramen in the palatine bone that carries the greater palatine nerve and blood vessels

Lesser Palatine Foramen

foramen in the palatine bone that transmits the lesser palatine nerve and blood vessels

Foramen Ovale

foramen in the sphenoid bone for the mandibular division of the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve

Foramen Spinosum

foramen in the sphenoid bone for the middle meningeal artery

foramen rotundum

foramen in the sphenoid bone that carries the trigeminal or fifth cranial nerve

Stylomastoid foramen

foramen in the temporal bone that carries the facial or seventh cranial nerve

stylomastoid foramen

foramen in the temporal bone that carries the facial or seventh nerve

Mandibular Foramen

foramen of the mandible that allows the inferior alveolar nerve and blood vessels to exit or enter the mandibular canal

Infraorbital Foramen

foramen of the maxilla that transmits the infraorbital nerve and blood vessels

Transverse Foramen

foramen on the transverse processes of each cervical vertebra that carries the vertebral artery

Jugular Notch of the Occipital Bone

occipital or medial portion of the jugular foramen

List the cranial bones

occipital, frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid, paired parietal, and temporal bones

Dens

odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra

Canal

opening in bone that is long, narrow, and tubelike

Fissure

opening in bone that is narrow and cleflike

Meatus

opening or canal in the bone

Aperture

opening or orifice in bone

Condyle

oval, bony prominence typically located at articulations

Greater Cornu

pair of projections from the sides of the body of the hyoid bone

Lesser Cornu

pair of projections of the hyoid bone

Temporal Bones

paired cranial bones that form the lateral walls of the skull

Ethmoidal Sinuses

paired paranasal sinuses located in the ethmoid bone, which are also called ethmoid air cells

Frontal Sinuses

paired paranasal sinuses located internally in the frontal bone

Palatine Process of the Maxilla

paired processes that articulate with each other and form the anterior portion of the hard palate

Sphenoidal Sinuses

paired sinuses located in the body of the sphenoid bone

Paranasal Sinuses

paired, filled cavities in bone that include the frontal, sphenoidal, ethmoidal, and maxillary sinuses

Maxillary Sinuses

paranasal sinuses in each body of the maxilla

Ramus

plate of the mandible that extends superiorly from the body of the mandible

Orbital Plate of the Ethmoid Bone

plate that forms most of the medial orbital wall

Vertical Plates of the Palatine Bones

plates that form a portion of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity and orbital apex

Horizontal Plates of the Palatine Bones

plates that form the posterior portion of the hard palate

Articulating Surface of the Condyle

portion of the head of the condyle that articulates with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint

Articulating Surface of the condyle

portion of the head of the condyle that articulates with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint

Retromolar Triangle

portion of the mandibular alveolar process just posterior to the most distal mandibular molar that is covered by the retomolar pad

Body of the Maxilla

portion of the maxilla that contains the maxillary sinus

Lateral Ptergoid Plate

portion of the ptergoid process

Medial Ptergoid plate

portion of the ptergoid process

Ptergoid process

portion of the sphenoid bone that forms the lateral borders of the posterior nasal apertures

Tympanic Portion of the Temporal Bone

portion that forms most of the external acoustic meatus

Squamous Portion of the Temporal Bone

portion that forms the braincase and portions of the zygomatic arch and temporomandibular joint

Posterior Nasal Apertures

posterior openings of the nasal cavity

Greater Wing of the Sphenoid Bone

posterolateral process of the body of the sphenoid bone

Zygomatic Process of the Frontal Bone

process lateral to the orbit

Hamulus

process of the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid bone

Zygomatic Process of the Maxilla

process that forms a portion of the infraorbital rim

Maxillary Process of the Zygomatic Bone

process that forms a portion of the infraorbital rim and orbital wall

Frontal Process of the Maxilla

process that forms a portion of the orbital rim

Frontal Process of the Zygomatic Bone

process that forms a portion of the orbital wall

Temporal Process of the Zygomatic Bone

process that forms a portion of the zygomatic arch

Superior Articular Processes

processes from a vertebra that allow articulation with the vertebra above

Inferior Articular Processes

processes of the first and second cervical vertebrae that allow articulation with the vertebrae below

Nasal Conchae

projecting structures that extend inward from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity

Condyle of the Mandible

projection of bone from the ramus of the mandible that participates in the temporomandibular joint

Occipital Condyles

projections of the occipital bone that articulate with lateral masses of the first cervical vertebra

Arch

prominent bridgelike bony structure

Supraorbital Ridges

ridge on the frontal bone located over the superior portion of the orbit

Crest

roughened border or ridge on the none surface

Head

rounded surface projecting from a bone by a neck

Sagittal Suture

the suture between the paired parietal bones

All skull bones are immovable except for which one

the temporomandibular joint

The hard palate if formed by which structures

the two palatine processes of the maxillae and the two horizontal plates of the palatine bones

Which bone forms the posterior portions of the nasal septum

the vomer

Perforation

abnormal hole in a hollow organ, such as in the wall of a sinus

Spine

abrupt, small prominence of bone

The skull consists of _____ bones

22, not including the small bones of the middle ear

What are the three portions of the Temporal Bone

Squamous, Tympanic and Petrous

Paranasal Sinusitis

a condition in which the mucous membranes of the sinuses can become inflamed and congested with mucus

Frontonasal Duct

a constricted canal that allows each frontal sinus to communicate with and drain into the nasal cavity to the middle nasal meatus

Basilar Portion

a four-sided plate anterior to the foramen magnum

Median Palatine Suture

a midline articulation between the two palatine processes of the maxillae and between the horizontal plates of the palatine bones

Pharyngeal Tubercle

a midline projection on the stout basilar portion

What landmarks are located within the tympanic portion of the temporal bone

external acoustic meatus, and petrotympanic fissure

Orbit

eye cavity, which contains and protects the eyeballs

Atlas

first cervical vertebra, which articulates with the occipital bone

Superior Orbital Fissure

fissure between the greater and lesser wings of the sphenoid bone that transmits structures from the cranial cavity to the orbit

Inferior Orbital Fissure

fissure between the greater wing of the sphenoid bone and maxilla that carries the infraorbital and zygomatic nerves, as well as the infraorbital artery and inferior ophthalmic vein

Inferior Orbital Fissure

fissure between the greater wing of the sphenoid bone and maxilla that carries the ingraorbital and zygomatic nerves, as well as the infraorbital artery and inferior ophthalmic vein

petrotympanic fissure

fissure between the tympanic and petrosal portions of the temporal bone, just posterior to the articular fossa, through which the chorda tympani nerve emerges

Plate

flat structure of bone

Posterior Superior Alveolar Foramina

foramina on the maxillary tuberosity that carry the posterior superior alveolar nerve and blood vessels

Ptergoid fossa

fossa between the medial and lateral pterygoid plates of the sphenoid bone

Ptergopalatine Fossa

fossa deep to the infratemporal fossa and between the ptergoid process and maxillary tuberosity

Pterygopalatine Fossa

fossa deep to the infratemporal fossa and between the pterygoid process and maxillary tuberosity

Infratemporal Fossa

fossa inferior to the temporal fossa and infratemporal crest on the greater wing of the sphenoid bone

Lacrimal Fossa

fossa of the frontal bone that contains the lacrimal gland, located just inside the lateral portion of the supraorbital ridge.

Temporal Fossa

fossa on the lateral surface of the skull that contains the body of the temporalis muscle

Sublingual Fossa

fossa on the medial surface of the mandible, above the mylohyoid line, that contains the sublingual salivary gland

Submandibular Fossa

fossa on the medial surface of the mandible, below the mylohyoid line, that contains the submandibular salivary gland

Process

general term for any prominence on a bony surface

Suture

generally immovable articulation in which bones are joined by fibrous tissue

Nasal Meatus

groove beneath each nasal concha that contains openings for communication with the paranasal sinuses or nasolacrimal duct

Infraorbital Sulcus

groove in the floor of the orbital surface

Mylohyoid Groove

groove on the mandible where the mylohyoid nerve and blood vessels travel

cribriform plate

horizontal plate of the ethmoid bone that is perforated with foramina for the olfactory nerves

Body of the Mandible

horizontal portion of the mandible

Incisura

indentation or notch at the edge of the bone

Petrous Portion of the Temporal Bone

inferior portion of the bone that contains the mastoid process and air cells

Infraorbital Rim

inferior rim of the orbit

Primary sinusitis

inflammation of the sinus

Secondary sinusitis

inflammation of the sinus related to another source

Secondary Sinusitis

inflammation of the sinuses from another source, such as an infection of the adjacent teeth

Tuberosity

large, often rough prominence on the surface of bone

Lateral Masses

lateral portions of the first cervical vertebra where it articulates with the occipital bone above and the axis below

Transverse Process

lateral projections of the cervical vertebrae

Mylohyoid Line

line on the inner aspect of the mandible

Mental Protuberance

mandibular bony prominence of the chin

What landmarks are located within the petrous portion of the temporal bone

mastoid process, mastoid air cells, mastoid notch, styloid process, stylomastoid foramen, carotid canal, and jugular notch of the temporal bone

Lambdoidal Suture

the suture between the occipital bone and both parietal bones that forms the inverted "V"

Body of the Sphenoid Bone

middle portion of the bone containing the sphenoidal sinuses

Symphysis

midline articulation where bones are joined by fibrocartilage such as the midline ridge on the mandible that fuses together in early childhood

Genial Tubercles

midline bony projections or the mental spines on the inner aspect of the mandible

Perpendicular Plate

midline vertical plate of the ethmoid bone

Bones

mineralized structures of the body that protect internal soft tissues and serve as the biomechanical basis for movement

Coronoid Notch

notch in the anterior border of the ramus

Mandibular Notch

notch located on the mandible between the condyle and coronoid porcess

Supraorbital Notch

notch on the frontal bone located on the medial portion of the supraorbital ridge and is where the supraorbital artery and nerve travel from the orbit to the forehead

mastoid notch

notch on the mastoid process of the temporal bone

Axis

second cervical vertebra, which articulates with the first and third cervical vertebrae

Sulcus/sulci

shallow depression or groove such as that on the bony surface

Foramen/Foramina

short, windowlike opening in bone

Joint

site of a junction or union between two or more bones

Ptergoid Canal

small canal at the superior border of each posterior nasal aperture

Cornu

small hornlike prominence

Ostium/ostia

small opening in bone

Spine of the Sphenoid Bone

spine located at the posterior extremity of the sphenoid bone

Spine of the sphenoid bone

spine located at the posterior extremity of the sphenoid bone

Line

straight, small ridge of bone

Cranium

structure that is formed by the cranial skull bones and includes the occipital, frontal, parietal, temporal, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones. It is the portion housing the brain

Coronal Suture

suture between the frontal and parietal bones

Squamosal Suture

suture between the temporal and parietal bones

Temporozygomatic suture

suture between the temporal and zygomatic bones

What structure is most flexible in infants

sutures

jugular notch of the temporal bone

temporal or lateral portion of the jugular foramen

What landmarks are located within the Squamous portion of the Temporal Bone

the articular fossa, articular eminence, and postglenoid process

What consists of the braincase

the cranium and face

Which bone forms the superior and middle nasal conchae

the ethmoid bone

What four cranial bones are visible when viewed from above

the frontal, both parietals, and occipital bones

Which bones are visible from the anterior (front) view

the frontal, ethmoid, vomer, sphenoid and the mandible bones

What does the inferior orbital fissure connect the orbit with

the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae

Which bones form the lateral boundaries of the nasal cavity

the maxillae

Anteriorly, what structures form the nasal septum

the nasal septal cartilage and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone

Which bones form the nasal cavity

the paired nasal bones

What nerve and artery pass through the optic canal to reach the eyeball

the second cranial nerve/optic nerve and the ophthalmic artery

Coronal Suture

the suture between the frontal and parietal bones

Eminence

tubercle or rounded elevation on a bony surface

Temporal Lines

two separate parallel ridges, superior and inferior, on the lateral surface of the skull

Maxillae

upper jaw that consists of two maxillary bones

Cervical Vertebrae

vertebrae in the vertebral column between the skull and thoracic vertebrae

Crista Galli

vertical midline continuation of the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone into the cranial cavity

Nasal Septum

vertical partition of the nasal cavity

Orbital Walls

walls of the orbit composed of portions of the frontal, ethmoid lacrimal, maxillary, zygomatic and sphenoid bones