Honors Anatomy & Physiology - Skull Bones

sphenoid bone

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

palatine bones

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

parietal bone

forms sides and roof of skull; curved bones; joined together at the sagittal suture

frontal bone

large bone; makes up the roof of the orbital and nasal cavities; "forehead"

ethmoid bone

light bone that makes up part of the nasal and orbital cavities and is anterior to the sphenoid bone

temporal bone

located on the sides of the head; houses the internal portion of the ear

mandible

lower jaw bone; connects to the skull in front of the ears

occipital bone

lower, back portion of the skull that is shaped like a trapezoid; houses the foramen magnum through which the brain and the spinal cord connect

zygomatic bones

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

inferior nasal conchae

scroll-shaped thin bones that make up the lateral part of nasal cavity; lined with membranes that help to filter warm air

lacrimal bones

thin bones forming the inner orbital cavity

vomer bones

thin, flat bones that form the back of the nasal septum

nasal bones

two bones, side-by-side that make up the bridge of the nose

maxillae

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