Anatomy of the Skull

Parietal Bones

• Comprise two bones forming the superior part of the cranium.
• Articulate with temporal, occipital, and frontal bones.
• Parietal eminence marks the widest part of the cranium.

Temporal Bones

• Two bones create the lower sides and base of the cranium.
• Positioned inferior to parietal bones and anterior to occipital bone.
• Squama is a vertical, thin, translucent part of the temporal bone.

Zygomatic Arch

• Projects from the lower squama, long and arched.
• Establishes the widest part of the face and aids in ear reconstruction.

External Auditory Meatus

• Opening of the ear passage, aligning with the front border of the ear.
• Key for accurate reconstruction of the ear position.

Mandibular Fossa

• Small oval depression under the temporal bone, posterior to the zygomatic arch.
• Hinge for the lower jaw, where the lower jaw condyle fits.
• Dislocation may correct "buck teeth."

Mastoid Process

• Located under the ear lobe, part of the temporal bone.
• Functions as a hinge for the lower jaw.

Frontal Bone

• One bone forming the forehead and anterior roof of the skull.
• Vertical section extends from eye sockets to frontal eminences.

Supraorbital Margin

• Forms the upper rim of the eye socket, situated below the superciliary arches.

Superciliary Arches

• Located above the medial ends of eyebrows and on the forehead's lower area.

Glabella

• Smooth elevation between superciliary arches, found above the nose's root.

Occipital Bone

• Lowest part of the skull's back and base, cradling the brain.

Foramen Magnum

• Large opening in the occipital bone for the spinal cord's entry.

Occipital Protuberance

• Eminence felt through the scalp, aids in locating the foramen magnum.

Sphenoid Bone

• Bat-shaped bone contributing to the cranial cavity, eye orbits, and temple area.
• Sella turcica cradles the pituitary gland.

Ethmoid Bone

• Separates nasal cavity from the brain, lightweight and irregularly shaped.
• Forms part of the eye orbit.

Crista Galli

• Known as the "crest of the cock," a feature of the ethmoid bone.

Cribriform Plate

• Superior surface of the ethmoid bone, part of the cranial cavity floor with many small holes.

Perpendicular Plate

• Thin bone plate in the nasal cavity, part of the septum structure.

Cranial Sutures

• Squamosal: Joins parietal and temporal bones.
• Lambdoidal: Joins parietal and occipital bones.
• Coronal: Joins frontal and parietal bones.
• Sagittal: Joins the two parietal bones.