Head, Neck & Spine Anatomy Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which bone of the cranium does not fuse with another?

Temporal (correct)

Frontal

Occipital

Parietal

What is the name of the suture that joins the parietal and frontal bones?

Sagittal suture

Lambdoid suture

Squamous suture

Coronal suture (correct)

Which bony landmark is a major attachment point for muscles of the neck and jaw?

Occipital condyle

Supraorbital margin

Mastoid process (correct)

Temporal fossa

Which of the following structures allows for passage of the spinal cord from the skull?

Foramen magnum (A) Signup and view all the answers

What forms the rounded brow ridges that are generally larger in males?

Supraorbital margin (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which bone contributes to the formation of the nasal septum?

Ethmoid (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which bone is described as resembling a flying bird or a butterfly?

Sphenoid (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which bony landmark articulates with the C1 vertebrae, allowing for nodding movement?

Occipital condyle (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which suture joins the frontal bone to the right and left parietal bones?

Coronal (B) Signup and view all the answers

The intersection of the sphenoid, temporal, parietal, and frontal bones is known as the:

Pterion (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the location of the lambdoid suture?

Posterior side of the skull (D) Signup and view all the answers

The cranial floor is significant because it:

Allows the passage of nerves, spinal cord and blood vessels. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which facial bone does NOT contribute to the orbit?

Mandible (C) Signup and view all the answers

What structure anchors each tooth in the maxilla and mandible?

Alveolus (D) Signup and view all the answers

The temporomandibular joint is formed by the articulation of the:

Mandible and Temporal bones (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which bone supports the cartilage of the nose?

Nasal (C) Signup and view all the answers

Through which structure does lacrimal fluid (tears) flow?

Nasolacrimal Canal (A) Signup and view all the answers

The calvaria refers to what part of the skull?

The 'skull cap' or top half (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which body region is the primary focus of the text provided?

The head, neck, and spine (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'MS' likely abbreviate in the context of the provided text?

Musculoskeletal (B) Signup and view all the answers

If a patient presented with pain primarily focused in the cervical area, which region would be directly affected?

The neck (A) Signup and view all the answers

If a text, which focused on 'HEAD, NECK & SPINE, MS.', were used by medical professionals, what type of conditions would be in focus?

Musculoskeletal issues of the head, neck, and spine (B) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided text, what would be the LEAST relevant area of the body to focus on for a physical exam?

The shoulders (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary curvature of the vertebral column?

Sacrococcygeal Curve (B), Thoracic Curve (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is characterized by an excessive posterior curvature of the thoracic spine?

Kyphosis (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of scoliosis?

Increased pressure on lumbar structures (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the curvatures present in the vertebral column?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

How many total vertebrae are present in an adult human vertebral column?

24 (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is most commonly associated with pregnancy or obesity?

Lordosis (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which region of the vertebral column is primarily affected by kyphosis?

Thoracic (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using back braces in patients with scoliosis?

To prevent the condition from worsening (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Head, Neck & Spine

This section covers the anatomy of the head, neck, and spine.
The study material includes the divisions of the skull, specific skull bones, sutures, and the vertebral column.

Divisions of the Skull

The skull is divided into two main parts: Cranium and Facial bones.
Cranium:
- 2 Parietal bones (form the superior and lateral side of the skull)
  - they fuse together at the sagittal suture.
  - fuse with the frontal bone at the coronal suture.
  - fuse with the temporal bones inferiorly at the squamous suture.
  - fuse with the occipital bone posteriorly at the lambdoid suture.
- 2 Temporal bones (form the lower lateral side of the skull)
  - they do not fuse together.
  - fuse with the sphenoid bone at the squamous suture.
  - fuse with the occipital bone posteriorly at the lambdoid suture.
  - fuse with the zygomatic bone, forming the zygomatic process (cheek bone).
  - temporal fossa - shallow indentation above zygomatic process
  - mastoid process - major attachment point for muscles of the neck and jaw.
- Frontal bone (forms the anterior side of the skull, the forehead)
  - fuses with the parietal bones, sphenoid and ethmoid bones at the coronal suture.
  - forms the supraorbital margin (rounded brow ridges generally larger in males).
- Occipital bone (forms the base and posterior side of the skull)
  - fuses with the parietal and temporal bones at the lambdoid suture.
  - foramen magnum: allows passage of spinal cord exiting the skull.
  - occipital condyle: on either side of the foramen magnum; forms joints with the C1 vertebrae; allowing us to nod our heads "yes".
- Sphenoid bone (highly complex bone of the central skull)
  - connects with nearly every bone of the cranium.
  - extends laterally to contribute to the sides of the skull (anterior to the temporal fossa).
  - resembles a flying bird or butterfly.
  - optical canal: supplies passage for the optic nerve to the orbit
- Ethmoid bone (located at midline within the central skull)
  - crista galli: upward projection
  - perpendicular plate: downward projection
  - both the C.G and P.P form the nasal septum (division between both nostrils).
  - forms the upper part of the nasal cavity.
  - contributes to the medial wall of the orbit.
Facial bones:
- Zygomatic (cheek bone)
  - makes up most of the lateral and inferior margins of the orbit.
  - zygomatic process (temporal bone connection).
- Maxilla (forms the upper jaw)
  - alveolar process - inferior margin, houses the teeth.
  - each tooth is anchored in an individual alveolus.
  - contributes to the floor of the orbit and the hard palate.
- Mandible (forms the lower jaw)
  - the only moveable bone of the skull.
  - alveolar process - upper boundary of the mandible, attachment point for the teeth.
  - mandibular condyle - a set of condyles ("U-shaped") connects to the temporal bone, forming the temporomandibular joint.
- Nasal bones (2 articulating bones that form the "bridge" of the nose)
  - supports the cartilage of the nose.
- Lacrimal (small, rectangular bone contributing to the medial aspect of the orbit)
  - nasolacrimal canal: where the lacrimal fluid (tear flow) passes.

Sutures

Sutures are immobile joints connecting adjacent skull bones.
Interlocking joints create strength for protection.
Dense fibrous connective tissue.

Sutures (specific types)

Coronal (runs side-to-side at the top of the head) - joins the frontal bone to the right and left parietal bones.
Sagittal (runs front to back at the top of the head) - unites the right and left parietal bones, connected at the bregma.
Lambdoid (located on the posterior side of the skull) - connects the occipital bone to the parietal and temporal bones.
Squamous (located on the lateral side of the skull) - connects the temporal bones to the parietal and sphenoid bones.

Cranial Cavity

Houses the brain inside the skull (interior space).
Calvaria is the "skull cap" or top half of the skull.
Base of the skull is the cranial floor. - Cranial nerves, spinal cord, and blood vessels pass through here.
3 large spaces ("fossae" - trenches/ditches):
- anterior cranial fossa
- middle cranial fossa
- posterior cranial fossa
- Size of fossae depends on the size of brain region.

Skull Diagram

Students are instructed to complete a skull diagram, labeling and coloring each bone and landmark, and drawing lines between structures.

Vertebral Column

A sequence of vertebrae made up of 5 regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx
24 vertebrae by adulthood, including the fused sacral and coccygeal vertebrae.

Curvature of Vertebral Column

The vertebral column has 4 alternating curves.
The curves support strength, flexibility, and shock absorption.
- Thoracic and Sacrococcygeal Curves: concave anteriorly
- Cervical and Lumbar Curves: concave posteriorly

Curvature of Vertebral Column (Disorders)

Kyphosis: excessive posterior curvature of the thoracic spine. - Commonly caused by osteoporosis, causing the vertebrae to collapse.
Lordosis: excessive anterior curvature of the lumbar spine. - Commonly associated with pregnancy or obesity.
Scoliosis: abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, often accompanied by rotation. - Often unknown cause, but growth anomalies, and back braces could be a cause.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the head, neck, and spine. This quiz covers the divisions of the skull, specific skull bones, sutures, and the vertebral column. Perfect for students studying human anatomy.