Chapter 9: Head and Neck Anatomy (KEY TERMS)

Buccal

Buccal, Region of the head that refers to structures closest to the inner cheek.

Alveolar process

Alveolar process, Portion of the maxillary bones that forms the support for teeth of the maxillary arch.

Glenoid Fossa

Area of the temporal bone where condyles of the mandible articulate with the skull

Articular (ahr-TIK-yoo-luer) disc

Articular disc, Cushion of dense, specialized connective tissue that divides the articular space into upper and lower compartments; also known as the meniscus.

Articular eminence

Articular eminence, Raised portion of the temporal bone just anterior to the glenoid fossa.

Articular space

Articular space, Space between the capsular ligament and between the surfaces of the glenoid fossa and the condyle.

Circumvallate lingual papillae

Circumvallate lingual papillae, Large tissue projections on the tongue.

Condyloid process

Condyloid process, The posterior process of each ramus; articulates with a fossa in the temporal bones to form the temporomandibular joint; also known as the mandibular condyle.

Coronal suture

Coronal suture, Line of articulation between the frontal bone and parietal bones.

Parotid Duct

Duct associated with the parotid salivary gland, which opens into the oral cavity at the parotid papilla.

Cranium

Eight bones that cover and protect the brain.

temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Joint on each side of the head that allows movement of the mandible

Maxillary Tuberosity

Large, rounded area on the outer surface of the maxillary bones in the area of the posterior teeth

Mental protuberance

Part of the mandible that forms the chin

medial pterygoid plate

Plate that ends in the hook-shaped hamulus.

lateral pterygoid plate

Point of origin for internal and external pterygoid muscles.

pterygoid process

Process of the sphenoid bone, consisting of two plates

Frontal Process

Process of the zygomatic bone that extends upward to articulate with the frontal bone at the outer edge of the orbit

Temporal Process

Process that articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to form the zygomatic arch, which creates the prominence of the cheek.

Styloid Process

Process that extends from the undersurface of the temporal bone

Nasal conchae

Projecting structures found in each lateral wall of the nasal cavity and extending inward from the maxilla; singular, concha.

Orbital

Region of space pertaining to the eye.

Infraorbital

Region of the head below the orbital region

occiptial

Region of the head overlying the occipital bone and covered by the scalp

Mental

Region of the head pertaining to or located near the chin

Oral

Region of the head pertaining to or located near the mouth

zygomatic

Region of the head pertaining to or located near the zygomatic bone (cheekbone).

Frontal

Region of the head pertaining to the forehead

Temporal

Region of the head superior to the zygomatic arch

Nasal

Region of the head that pertains to or is located near the nose

Foramen

Small round opening in a bone through which blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments pass

Meatus

The external opening of a canal.

Fossa

hollow or depressed area

Hamulus

hook-shaped process

foramen magnum

large opening in occipital bone that allows spinal cord to attach to brain

Sphenoid Sinuses

located in the sphenoid bone, close to the optic nerves; an infection here can damage vision

Lacrimal bones

paired facial bones that help form the medial wall of the orbit

Parietal

pertaining to the wall of a cavity

Mastoid Process

projection of the temporal bone located behind the ear

Process

prominent projection on a bone

trigeminal nerve

The nerve that is the primary source of innervation for the oral cavity.

zygomatic process

The process of the maxillary bones that extends upward to articulate with the zygomatic bone

Ossicles

Bones of the middle ear

external auditory meatus

Bony passage of the outer ear

lymphadenopathy

disease of the lymph nodes

Lambdoid suture

Line between parietal bones and occipital bone

Sternocleidomastoid

Major cervical muscle

Trapezius

Major cervical muscle

Greater Palatine Nerve

Nerve that serves the posterior hard palate and the posterior lingual gingiva

Sagital Suture

Suture that is located at the midline of the skull, where the two parietal bones are joined.

zygomatic arch

The arch formed when the temporal process of the zygomatic bone articulates with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone

Symphysis Menti

The separation of the mandible at the chin that occurs at birth

Masseter

The strongest and most obvious muscle of mastication