Chapter 7Bones of the Cranium

Anatomical references Process

raised area / projection of bone

Fossa low area / depressed

area of bone Suture

aka Fibrous joint Immovable joints of

the skull

Sinus aka (paranasal

sinuses) (4 pair) hollow space in bone

Makes mucus Contributes to the

sound of your voice Makes bones lighter

Foramen hole through bone Blood vessels and

nerves pass through

Skull Bones

22 total Cranial bones. 8 of the ‘skull’ 14 of the ‘face’

Skull bones Frontal bone

1 bone Forms forehead Frontal sinus

Skull bones Parietal

2 bones Form the top sides

of the skull fontanel

Aka ‘soft spot’ Where frontal bone

and parietal join

Skull bones Occipital bone

1 bone Forms the back

and posterior base of the skull.

Foramen magnum Largest foramen of

the body Spinal cord passes

through

Skull bones

Sphenoid bone 1 bone Forms the anterior

base of the skull Lower anterior of

the side of the skull

Sphenoid sinus ‘bat wing’ shaped

Sphenoid →

(inferior)

Skull bones Ethmoid bone

1 bone Forms inner eye

socket Separates nasal

cavity from brain Ethmoid sinus

Many small sinuses Honeycomb Swiss cheese

Skull bones Temporal bone

2 bones Forms the lower

sides of the head. TMJ

Temporomandibular joint

Temporal bone articulates w/ the mandible

Ears are attached

Temporal bone Landmarks

Mastoid process Styloid process External auditory

meatus Temporal fossa Glenoid fossa Articular

eminence

Facial bones Nasal bone

2 bones Forms the bridge of the

nose Vomer bone

1 bone Forms part of floor of

nasal cavity Nasal septum attaches

Inferior nasal conchae 2 bones Divided into superior,

middle and inferior

Facial bones Lacrimal bone

2 bones Forms outer part

of the eye socket Ethmoid bone

forms the inner part of the eye socket.

Tear ducts pass through

Facial bones Zygomatic bone

Aka zygoma 2 bones Forms the cheek Sides of the eye

socket ‘cheek’ bones

Facial bones Maxilla

2 bones Forms the

upper jaw face anterior of hard

palate Largest of the

facial bones

Facial bones Landmarks of the

Maxilla Median palatine

suture Infraorbital

foramen Incisive foramen Alveolar process

Bone that supports the teeth

Maxillary sinus

Facial bones Palatine bone

2 bones Forms the

posterior of the hard palate.

Floor of the nasal cavity

Transverse palatine suture

Greater palatine foramen

Lesser palatine foramina (plural)

Facial bones Mandible

Only moveable bone of the face.

Strongest bone 1 bone (starts as

2) ½’s join at the

mandibular symphysis

NO suture

Landmarks Mental foramen Mandibular

foramen Lingual foramen Ramus (rami) Condyloid process

TMJ Alveolar process Retromolar area

Facial bones

TMJ Temporomandibul

ar joint Temporal bone

articulates with the mandible.

Synovial joint Hinge/glide action

TMD Disorder /

dysfunction

Landmarks Bony

Condyloid process Articular eminence Glenoid fossa

Soft tissue Meniscus

Articular disc Capsular ligament

TMJ

Conclusion Knowing the bones of the head,

face, and skull is an important part of your job.

Understanding the facial bones, their landmarks and how they relate to dentistry will make you more valuable to your dentist.

Any questions???????