7 Questions
What is the main function of the skull?
Protection of the brain and sensory organs
How many bones make up the adult skull?
22
What are the two main parts of the skull?
Cranium and face
What is the function of the sphenoid bone?
Houses the pituitary gland
What is the purpose of the nasal conchae?
Form the nasal passages
How do the bones of the skull develop?
Through endochondral or intramembranous bone formation
What are the soft spots on a baby's skull called?
Fontanelles
Study Notes
Structure
- The skull is a bony structure that protects the brain and sensory organs
- Composed of 22 bones that fuse together during childhood and adolescence
- Divided into two parts: cranium and face
Cranial Bones (8)
- Frontal bone: forehead, roof of orbit
- Parietal bone: sides and roof of cranium
- Occipital bone: back of cranium, foramen magnum
- Temporal bone: sides of cranium, ear structure
- Sphenoid bone: center of cranium, pituitary gland
- Ethmoid bone: nasal cavity, olfactory organs
Facial Bones (14)
- Vomer: nasal septum
- Zygoma: cheekbones
- Mandible: lower jawbone
- Maxilla: upper jawbone
- Lacrimal bone: tears drainage
- Palatine bone: hard palate
- Inferior nasal conchae: nasal passages
- Nasal bone: bridge of nose
Functions
- Protection of brain and sensory organs
- Attachment site for muscles of facial expression and mastication
- Formation of orbit, nasal cavity, and mouth
Development
- Skull bones develop from cartilage models or condensations of mesenchyme
- Ossification occurs through endochondral or intramembranous bone formation
- Fontanelles (soft spots) close during childhood and adolescence
Skull Structure
- Composed of 22 bones that fuse together during childhood and adolescence
- Divided into two parts: cranium and face
Cranial Bones
- Frontal bone provides protection for forehead and forms roof of orbit
- Parietal bone forms sides and roof of cranium
- Occipital bone forms back of cranium and contains foramen magnum
- Temporal bone forms sides of cranium and contains ear structure
- Sphenoid bone forms center of cranium and houses pituitary gland
- Ethmoid bone forms nasal cavity and contains olfactory organs
Facial Bones
- Vomer forms nasal septum
- Zygoma forms cheekbones
- Mandible forms lower jawbone
- Maxilla forms upper jawbone
- Lacrimal bone forms tears drainage system
- Palatine bone forms hard palate
- Inferior nasal conchae forms nasal passages
- Nasal bone forms bridge of nose
Skull Functions
- Protects brain and sensory organs
- Serves as attachment site for muscles of facial expression and mastication
- Forms orbit, nasal cavity, and mouth
Skull Development
- Skull bones develop from cartilage models or condensations of mesenchyme
- Ossification occurs through endochondral or intramembranous bone formation
- Fontanelles (soft spots) close during childhood and adolescence
This quiz covers the composition and parts of the human skull, including the cranial and facial bones. Learn about the functions and locations of each bone.
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