the cranial bones

functions of cranial bones

1. protect the brain 2. provide attachment site for the jaw, head and neck muscles. 3. form the top, sides, and back of head

frontal bone

bone that forms the roof of the nasal cavity, orbits, and forehead

cribiform olfactory foramen

bony feature of the ethmoid bone which allows passage ways for the olfactory nerve (CN 1)

perpendicular plate

bony feature of the ethmoid bone which forms the nasal septum

cribiform plate

bony feature of the ethmoid bone which provides a roof over the smell receptors

cristal gali

bony feature of the ethmoid bone which serves as an attachment site for the dura mater

frontal sinus

bony feature of the frontal bone consisting of two air filled sacs

occipital condyle

bony feature of the occipital bone an area of the skull which articulates with the C1 vertebrae (or atlas bone)

occipital protuberance

bony feature of the occipital bone which acts as an attachment site for muscles

foramen magnum

bony feature of the occipital bone which allows passage for the spinal cord.

zygomatic process

bony feature of the temporal bones which consists of a anterolateral projection that unites with the zygomatic bone to form the zygomatic arch.

mastoid process

bony feature of the temporal bones which contain air spaces and muscular attachment sites

ethmoid bone

cranial bone which forms the anteromedial floor of the cranium, roof of the nasal cavity, medial all of each orbit, and superior nasal septum. square in shape and sits between the eyes.

sphenoid bone

cranial bone which resembles a butterfly, not easily visible from the outside of the skull. it articulates with almost all the bones of the skull and unites the cranial and facial bones.

external acoustic meatus

opening in the temporal bone which makes up part of the outer ear

parietal bones

paired bones which form the sides of the top of the skull.

temporal bones

paired bones which make up the lateral sides of the cranium

occipital bone

the occipital bone forms the posterior skull and portion of the cranium base