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