Gross Anatomy: Head and Neck

Hollow spaces in the frontal bone above the eye sockets.

The opening of the nose, formed by the nasal bones and maxilla.

Bones that form the bridge of the nose.

Part of the skull that holds the temporal lobes of the brain.

Part of the skull containing the hindbrain structures like the cerebellum.

A bone forming part of the base of the skull and containing the sphenoidal sinuses.

A synovial joint connecting the mandible to the temporal bone, allowing for movement like chewing

Bone that divides the nasal cavity.

Bony shelves inside the nasal cavity.

Opening of the mouth, caused by forward pull of lateral pterygoid muscle, and aided by other muscles like digastrics, geniohyoids,and mylohyoids.

A disc within the TMJ that divides the joint into two cavities and helps reduce friction.

Closing of the mouth, accomplished by the temporalis, masseter, and medial pterygoids muscles.

Ligament that limits posterior movement of the mandible, protecting the external auditory canal.

Forward movement of the jaw, mainly caused by the lateral pterygoid muscles.

Ligament that runs from the sphenoid bone to the mandible, located on the medial side of the TMJ.

An opening in the skull located between the greater and lesser wings of the sphenoid bone. It connects the orbit with the middle cranial fossa and allows passage for several cranial nerves and blood vessels.

Backward movement of the jaw, primarily done by the posterior fibers of the temporalis muscle.

A passageway in the lesser wing of the sphenoid bone that connects the orbit with the middle cranial fossa. It transmits the optic nerve and ophthalmic artery.

The constriction of the pupils when focusing on a near object. This allows for sharper vision at close distances.

The canal that connects the auricle to the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

The visible part of the outer ear that collects sound waves.

A clear fluid that fills the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. It helps maintain eye shape and provides nutrients.

Glands in the eyelids that secrete an oily substance to lubricate the eyelashes and prevent dryness.

Glands in the ear canal that produce earwax, which helps protect the ear from dust and other foreign objects.

A network of nerves in the neck formed by the first four cervical spinal nerves (C1-C4).

A major nerve that arises from the cervical plexus (C3-C5) and controls the diaphragm, the primary breathing muscle.

A major artery that branches off the subclavian artery and supplies blood to the thyroid gland, neck, and shoulder.

A vein that drains blood from the posterior part of the head and neck and joins the brachiocephalic vein.

A major artery that supplies blood to the arm and shoulder.

A major artery that supplies blood to the brain.

The central part of the oral cavity, including the tongue, palate, and teeth.

A small fold of tissue that attaches the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

The alar part of the nasalis and the depressor septi nasi muscles help open the nostrils.

The procerus muscle pulls the eyebrows downwards, causing transverse wrinkles over the nose.

The orbicularis oris muscle surrounds the mouth opening and helps purse the lips.

The three semicircular canals within the inner ear are responsible for detecting head movements and maintaining balance.

The modiolus is the central pillar within the cochlea, where the spiral lamina and basilar membrane meet.

Scala refers to the fluid-filled spaces within the cochlea: Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani.

Perilymph is the fluid found in the space between the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth, while endolymph is the fluid within the membranous labyrinth itself.

The utricle (larger) and saccule (smaller) are vestibular sacs within the membranous labyrinth responsible for detecting linear acceleration and head position.

The inner wall of the eye socket composed of the frontal process of the maxilla, lacrimal bone, orbital plate of the ethmoid, and body of the sphenoid.

An opening on the superior margin of the orbit that allows passage for the supraorbital nerve and blood vessels.

A groove and canal on the floor of the orbit that transmits the infraorbital nerve and blood vessels.

A canal located anteriorly on the medial wall of the orbit, connecting to the inferior meatus of the nose. It transmits the nasolacrimal duct.

Supplied by four major vessels: two internal carotid arteries and two vertebral arteries.

Formed by the two internal carotid arteries entering the skull.

Formed by the two vertebral arteries.