Skull Vocabulary

sphenoid

butterfly-shaped bone; houses the pituitary gland; base of skull; in front of temporal bone

palantine

forms part of the oral, nasal, and orbital cavities; posterior to maxilla

parietal

forms sides and rood of skull; meet at the top of cranium at sagittal suture

frontal

large bone; makes up roof of the orbit; "forehead"

ethmoid

light bone; makes up parts of the nasal and orbital cavities; anterior to sphenoid bone

temporal

located on the sides of the head; house the internal ear

mandible

lower jaw; connected to skull in front of ears

occipital

lower, back portion of skull; large hole through which the brain and spinal cord connect

zygomatic

protects the eye; connects to maxilla, temporal bone, sphenoid bone, and frontal bone; known as "cheekbone"

inferior nasal conchae

scroll shaped thin bones making up lateral part of nasal cavity; the membranes lining them up to filter and warm air

lacrimal

thin bone making up inner orbital cavity

vomer

thin, flat bone; forms back of nasal septum (midline of nasal cavity)

nasal

two bones, side by side; make up bridge of nose

maxillae

upper jaw; holds upper teeth; forms portions of the orbital, nasal, and oral cavities