12 Questions
What is the primary function of the head?
To house and protect the brain and sensory systems
What are the two vascular compartments in the neck responsible for containing?
The major blood vessels and the vagus nerve
What is the primary function of the neck?
To support and position the head
What are the major compartments in the head?
Cranial cavity, orbits, nasal cavities, oral cavity, and ears
What is contained in the visceral compartment of the neck?
Important glands and parts of the respiratory and digestive tracts
What is the significance of the head and neck in relation to sensory systems?
They enable an individual to position sensory systems relative to environmental cues
What is the main function of the pharynx and larynx in the head?
To connect the upper parts of the digestive and respiratory tracts with the esophagus and trachea
How many bones are there in the skull, excluding the ossicles of the ear?
22
What is the term for the upper domed part of the cranium?
Calvaria
Which bone forms the lower jaw?
Mandible
What is the term for the raised arches on each side of the forehead, just superior to the rim of the orbit?
Superciliary arches
Which bone forms the superior part of the rim of each orbit?
Frontal bone
Study Notes
Head and Neck
- The head and neck are anatomically complex areas of the body.
- The head consists of several compartments formed by bone and soft tissues.
- These compartments are: the cranial cavity, two ears, two orbits, two nasal cavities, and an oral cavity.
Compartments of the Neck
- The neck has four major compartments enclosed by an outer musculofascial collar.
- The vertebral compartment contains the cervical vertebrae and associated postural muscles.
- The visceral compartment contains important glands (thyroid, parathyroid, and thymus) and parts of the respiratory and digestive tracts.
- The two vascular compartments, one on each side, contain the major blood vessels and the vagus nerve.
Functions of the Head and Neck
- The head houses and protects the brain and receptor systems associated with the special senses.
- The head contains the upper parts of the respiratory and digestive systems.
- The neck supports and positions the head, enabling an individual to position sensory systems in the head relative to environmental cues.
- The neck contains specialized structures (pharynx and larynx) that connect the upper parts of the digestive and respiratory tracts in the head with the esophagus and trachea.
Skull
- The skull has 22 bones, excluding the ossicles of the ear.
- The bones of the skull are attached to each other by sutures and are immobile.
- The cranium can be subdivided into the calvaria, base, and facial skeleton.
- The calvaria covers the cranial cavity containing the brain.
- The base of the cranium consists of the floor of the cranial cavity.
- The facial skeleton consists of the bones forming the face.
Anterior View of the Skull
- The anterior view of the skull includes the forehead, orbits, nasal region, face, upper jaw, and lower jaw.
- The frontal bone forms the forehead and the superior part of the rim of each orbit.
- The frontal bone projects inferiorly, forming a part of the medial rim of the orbit.
- The zygomatic process of the frontal bone projects inferiorly, forming the upper lateral rim of the orbit.
Test your knowledge of the head and neck anatomy, including the different compartments and structures that make up this complex area of the body.
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