Skull and its Landmarks Part A

Skull and its Landmarks Part A (Part 1 of 5)

• The skull, or cranium, is the skeletal structure of the head. Its role is to support the face and protect the brain.
• The skull comprises 22 individual bones.
• The skull is divided into two sections:
  • Neurocranium (cranial bones): 8 bones protecting the brain.
  • Viscerocranium (facial bones): 14 bones forming the face.
• Learning objectives include:
  • Identifying the bones of the cranium and their sutures.
  • Labeling views of the cranium.
  • Identifying features of the sphenoid and ethmoid bones.
  • Understanding the relevance of the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae.
• A formative assessment will be given at the end of each lecture.
• Students will need to complete and return the assessment to the instructor.

GDC Learning Outcomes

• The aim is to discuss the skull, identify its components (cranium and associated features), and explain their importance.

Learning Outcomes (Part 1-5)

• Students will be able to name the cranium bones and their sutures.
• Students will be able to label views of the cranium.
• Students will be able to identify the bony features of the sphenoid and ethmoid bones.
• Students will be able to discuss the relevance of the infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossae.

Glossary of Terms

• Articulate: Joined or touching (of bones).
• Ridge: Elevated linear structure.
• Foramen: An opening in a bone.
• Fossa: A shallow depression in a bone.
• Process: A large projection on a bone.
• Canal: A tubular structure within a bone.
• Groove: A channel.
• Tubercle: Small prominent raised structure on a bone.
• Eminence: Raised area on a bone's surface.
• Tuberosity: Bulging structure on a bone.
• Internal: Inside.
• External: Outside.
• Medial: Toward the midline of the body.
• Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.
• Anterior: Toward the front of the body.
• Posterior: Toward the back of the body.
• Inferior: Below.
• Superior: Above.
• Superficial: Near the surface.
• Deep: Far from the surface.
• Roof: Top.
• Floor: Bottom.
• Plate: A flat area.
• Margin: Border or edge.

Function of the Neurocranium

• Protecting the brain.
• Providing sites for attachment of muscles of facial expression and mastication.
• Forming the cranial and orbital cavities.

Lobes of the Brain

• The cerebrum is divided into four lobes: Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, Temporal.

What are the Lobes Responsible For?

• Frontal lobe: Personality, behavior, emotions, judgment, problem-solving, speech, body movement (motor strip), intelligence, concentration, self-awareness.
• Parietal lobe: Interprets language, words, sense of touch, pain, and temperature (sensory strip), interprets signals from vision, hearing, motor, sensory and memory, spatial and visual perception.
• Occipital lobe: Interprets vision (color, light, movement).
• Temporal lobe: Understanding language (Wernicke's area), memory, hearing, sequencing, and organization.

Broca and Wernicke's Areas

• Broca's area: Located in the left frontal lobe; if damaged, speaking and writing difficulties arise.
• Wernicke's area: Located in the left temporal lobe; if damaged, individuals may speak, but their words lack meaning.

The Neurocranium - Sutures

• Coronal suture: Unities the frontal bone with the parietal bones.
• Sagittal suture: Unites the two parietal bones in the midline.
• Lambdoid suture: Unites the parietal bones with the occipital bone.
• Squamosal suture: Connects the squamous portion of the temporal bone with the parietal bone.
• Metopic suture: If present, unites the two frontal bones.