Neurocranium Bones revision notes quiz

Study Notes

Neurocranium Bones

Sphenoid Bone (1):
- Irregularly shaped bone located in the middle of the skull
- Composed of four main parts: body, pterygoid process, greater and lesser wing
- Articulates with all cranial bones, as well as the palatine, vomer and zygomatic bones
- Functions:
  - Forms the base of the skull
  - Contributes to the floor of the middle cranial fossa, orbital floor and nasal cavity
Temporal Bone (2):
- Irregularly shaped bones found on the sides of the cranium
- Articulates with: parietal, occipital, frontal and zygomatic bones
- Squamosal Suture: unites the squamous part of the temporal bone with the parietal bone
- Functions:
  - Provides attachment points for muscles associated with the tongue and larynx
  - Contains the styloid process, middle and inner ear
Occipital Bone (1):
- Flat bone located at the back of the cranium
- Articulates with: parietal bones, temporal, sphenoid bones
- Lambdoid suture: unites with the parietal bones
- Functions:
  - Forms the foramen magnum (opening the skull's base)
  - Provides attachment points for muscles
  - Protection of the brain
Ethmoid Bone (1):
- Irregularly shaped bone situated between the orbital bones and nasal cavity
- Located within the paranasal sinuses
- Articulates with: frontal, sphenoid, vomer, inferior nasal conchae, nasal, maxilla, palatine and lacrimal bones
- Sphenoethmoidal suture: unites with the sphenoid bone
- Functions:
  - Forms the medial wall of the orbit, nasal septum, the root and lateral walls of the nasal cavity
Frontal bone (1):
- Flat bone located at the front of the cranium
- Articulates with: parietal, ethmoid, sphenoid, lacrimal, nasal, zygomatic and maxilla bones
- Metopic suture (if present): unites two frontal bones (sometimes present in early development)
- Coronal suture: unites with parietal bones
- Functions:
  - Aids in facial expressions
  - Provides structural support to the skull, eye orbits and upper face
  - Protects the frontal lobe
Parietal Bone (2):
- Flat bones making up the top of the cranium
- Articulates with: frontal, occipital, temporal and sphenoid bones
- Coronal suture: unites with the frontal bone
- Sagittal suture: unites the two parietal bones
- Lambdoid suture: unites with the occipital bone
- Squamosal suture: unites with the temporal bone
- Functions:
  - Protection of the parietal lobe and cranial activity