Term List 2: The Skull

Pituitary Fossa

A depression in the sella turcica of the sphenoid that houses the pituitary gland

What term refers to the large, flat surface of the frontal bone? A. Frontal Crest B. Zygomatic Process C. Calvaria D. Squama

D. Squama

Mastoid Notch

Deep groove on medial aspect of mastoid process

Pterygoid Hamulus

a hook like process that serves as a site for muscle attachment at the end of the medial pterygoid plates

Squamous Portion

the largest portion of the occipital bone

Occipital Condyles

the ovular structures on either side of the foramen magnum, articulate superiorly to the 1st vertebrae

Superciliary Arches

(brow ridges) bony protrusion on the frontal bone superior to orbits; more prominent in males

The ethmoid notch is part of which cranial bone? A. Ethmoid B. Temporal C. Frontal D. Occipital

C. Frontal

Mandible

lower jaw

Incisive Foramen/Canal

the "hole" located on the palatine process of the maxilla, just behind the teeth

Perpendicular Plate

the anterior, superior part of the nasal septum

What is the area of the temporal bone where condyles of the mandible articulate in the temperomandibular joint with the skull referred to as? A. Glenoid Fossa B. Pituitary Fossa C. Lacrimal Groove D. Cerebellar Fossa

A. Glenoid Fossa

Which suture runs medially on the cranium towards the occipital bone that separates the left and right parietal bones? A. Sagittal Suture B. Basilar Suture C. Metopic Suture D. Coronal Suture

A. Sagittal Suture

What term refers to a groove or hole located on the rim of the orbit that serve the function of transmitting nerves and blood vessels? A. Supraorbital Notch/Foramina B. Meningeal Groove C. Striae D. Superciliary Arch

A. Supraorbital Notch/Foramina

What term applies to the cloud-shaped cavities that are unique to every individual located on the front of the cranium? A. Sigmoid Sulcus B. Frontal Sinus C. Glenoid Fossa D. Calotte

B. Frontal Sinus

The ___________________ suture joins the occipital and parietal bones on the posterior portion of the cranium. A. Squamosal Suture B. Lambdoidal Suture C. Coronal Suture D. Basilar Suture

B. Lambdoidal Suture

The feature that divides the mandible on its anterior region that is on the mandible's midline is known as _________________________. A. Mandibular Torus B. Mandibular Condyle C. Mandibular Symphysis D. Mental Spine

C. Mandibular Symphysis

The S-shaped grooves on the ectocranial surface of the cranium, located laterally to the foramen magnum on both sides, is referred to as what? A. Sagittal Sulcus B. Palatine Process C. Sigmoid Sulcus D. Optic Canals

C. Sigmoid Sulcus

Which suture runs laterally from the left to right side of the cranium that separates the frontal and parietal bones? A. Sagittal Suture B. Basilar Suture C. Metopic Suture D. Coronal Suture

D. Coronal Suture

What 3 features are located on the midline of the body of the sphenoid, that make up the entire "saddle"? A. Pterygoid plates, malleus, pituitary fossa B. Dorsum sellae, cribiform plate, optic canal C. Ramus, dorsum sellae, sella turcica D. Sella turcica, pituitary fossa, dorsum sellae

D. Sella turcica, pituitary fossa, dorsum sellae

True or False: Meningeal grooves are located on the ectocranial surface of the cranium and process anteriorly.

False, meningeal grooves are located on the endocranial surface of the cranium and process posteriorly, and are grooves to house the arteries in the brain.

the large hole at the base of the skull

Foramen Magnum

The _______________________________ is the bony protuberance on the anterior portion of the mandible that makes up the chin on an individual.

Mental Eminence

Which suture runs parallel, or in the same direction, to the temporal lines?

Squamosal Suture

Cribriform Plate

The horizontal plate of the ethmoid bone separating the cranial cavity from the nasal cavity.

Lacrimal Groove/Canal

The maxilla combines with the lacrimal bone to form this?

Supraorbital Margins

The superior rim of the eye socket located on the frontal bone

True or False: The greater wings of the sphenoid can be seen laterally on the ectocranial surface on the cranium's sides.

True

Anterior Nasal Spine

a sharp and thin projection, located at the midline of your nasal bone

Posterior Nasal Spine

a sharp spine located on the superior surface of the horizontal plate

Crista Galli

a sharp, triangular projection of the cribriform plate

Vomer

a small and thin bone that divides the nasal cavity

Ethmoid

a spongy bone located between the eye orbits

Zygomatic Process

a zygomatic projection that forms much of your cheek

Mental Spine

are small ridges on the inner surface of the mandible; serve for attachment of certain chin muscles

Maxilla (2)

articulates inferiorly to the frontal bone, functions to hole the tooth roots

Housed by the Petrous Pyramid

auditory ossicles (Incus, Malleus, Stapes)

Frontal Crest

bony crest running medially on the endocranial surface of the frontal bone at the anterior end of the sagittal sulcus

Canine Jugum

bony eminence at the maxillary canine root

Mandibular Torus

bony growths located on the inside (lingual) portion of the mandible

Pterygoid Plates

bony projections on the inferior side of the sphenoid; attachment sites for muscles that move the mandible and soft palate

Calotte

calvaria without the base; skull cap without any other portion of the cranium

Sphenoidal Sinus

cavity located within the sphenoid, inferior to the sella turcica

Calvaria

cranium without the facial skeleton (splanchnocranium)

Temporal Lines

curved ridges of bone on the lateral sides of the cranium, superior to the zygomatic bones and run posteriorly towards parietals

Pterygoid Fossae

depression between the medial and lateral pterygoid plates

External Auditory (Acoustic) Meatus (EAM)

ectocranial portion of ear canal

Skull

entire bony framework of the head; includes mandible and cranium

Inferior Nasal Conchae

extend horizontally to form part of lateral walls of nasal cavity

Temporal Process

extends posteriorly, joins the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to form the "zygomatic arch"

Zygomatic Process of Temporal Bone

extension from the temporal bone that forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch

Zygomatic Process of Frontal Bone

extension of frontal bone that articulates with zygomatic bone at lateral border of orbit

Splanchnocranium

facial portion of skull

Frontal Process

feature of the maxilla that articulates to the frontal bone

Parietal Foramen

foramen for arteries from brain; sometimes occurs near the corner of the lambdoid and sagittal sutures

Parietal Notch

formed by the posterosuperior border of the temporal where the squamosal and parietomastoid sutures meet; posterior angle above mastoid process

Palatine Process

forms 2/3rds of the hard palate and the floor of the nasal cavity

Body of Sphenoid

forms the central axis of the sphenoid; most substantial portion

Horizontal Plate

forms the posterior of 3rd of the hard palate

Optic Canals

holes on both sides of the body of the sphenoid; optic nerves run through these canals

Orbital Plate

horizontal portion of the frontal bone; upper margin of the orbits

The feature on the endocranial surface on the petrous pyramid that leads into the skull from the external auditory meatus is known as the _______________________.

internal auditory (acoustic) meatus

Mandibular Condyle

large, rounded, articular prominence on the posterior corner of the ramus; articulation point of the mandible with the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone

Inferior Nuchal Lines

located inferiorly, horizontal line running the squamous portion of the occipital bone

Superior Nuchal Lines

located superiorly, horizontal line running the squamous portion of the occipital bone

Petrous Pyramid

massive, triangular, and dense bony feature that is located on endocranial side of the temporal bone

Sella Turcica

means "Turkish saddle"; saddle-shaped and located medially on the body of the sphenoid, houses the pituitary gland

Cerebellar Fossae

on the endocranial skull, house the cerebellar lobes of the brain, located at the inferior part of the occipital bone

Cerebral Fossae

on the endocranial skull, this house the occipital lobes, this feature is located superiorly to the cerebellar fossae

Mental Foramen

paired openings on the body of the mandible; lateral to the midline, sides of chin

Carotid Canal

passageway for internal carotid artery; medial to the styloid processes

Styloid Process

pole/toothpick-like process extending downward from the temporal bone on each side of the skull

Cranium

portion of the skull that encloses the brain; does NOT include mandible

Greater Wings

posterior and inferior to lesser wings on the interior of the skull, also visible in the posterior orbit and lateral sides of the skull

Dorsum Sellae

ridge of bone at posterior edge of sella turcica

Frontal Process

rises vertically, separates the eye orbit from the temporal fossa

Masseteric Origin

roughened, expanded inferior edge of the bone

Mastoid Process

round bony projection on the temporal behind the ear; roughened for muscle attachment

Alveolar Process

running horizontally on the maxilla, function to hold the tooth roots

Nasals (2)

small thin bones that make up the "top" portion of your nose

Lacrimals (2)

small thin bones that make up the medial walls of the eye orbits

Striae

small, beveled striations on the bone

Fontanelles

soft spots normally present on the skull of a newborn where cranial sutures intersect

Basilar Suture

suture on the bottom of the cranium in front of the foramen magnum; joins sphenoid and palatine bones

Squamosal Suture

suture that runs between parietal and temporal bones on lateral portions of the cranium; unusual, scaled suture that overlay

Zygomatics (2)

the bones that form the prominent corners (cheeks) of the face.

Neurocranium

the braincase; encloses the brain

Metopic Suture

the cranial suture that passes between unfused frontal halves and rarely persists into adulthood

Cruciform Eminence

the cross like feature that divides the occipital squama into 4 fossae

Bosses

the highest, most protruding points located on the frontal and parietal bones

Maxillary Sinus

the large hole in the body of the maxillary bone, houses your sinus

Orbital Surface

the plate formed by the greater wing of the sphenoid bone that makes up most of the lateral wall of the orbit

Basilar Part

the thick square-like projection anterior to the foramen magnum

Palatines (2)

these bones articulate to form the rear of the hard palate and the wall and floor of the nasal cavity.

Perpendicular Plate

thin bone running below the alae

Maxillary Process

this feature articulates to the maxilla

Sagittal Sulcus

vertical groove that runs down the midline of the endocranial surface

Ramus

vertical portion of the mandible that rises above the level of the teeth

External Occipital Protuberance

where the planes of the occipital and nuchal planes meet the prominent "bump"

Alae

wing like feature, articulate to the sphenoid