Sutural and Cranial Bone Anatomy

Questions and Answers

Which suture connects the frontal and parietal bones?

Coronal suture (correct)

Sagittal suture

Lambdoidal suture

Squamosal suture

What is the primary function of the foramen magnum?

Passage for the spinal cord (correct)

Connection for cranial nerves

Passage for the olfactory nerve

Allows for the attachment of neck muscles

What structure is housed within the sella turcica?

Optic nerve

Pituitary gland (correct)

Medulla oblongata

Cerebellum

Which cranial bones articulate with the occipital bone?

Temporal, parietal, and sphenoid bones Signup and view all the answers

Which portion of the temporal bone forms the side of the cranium?

Squamous portion Signup and view all the answers

Which suture connects the two parietal bones?

Sagittal suture Signup and view all the answers

What does the medial palatine suture articulate with?

Maxillae and palatine bones Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial bone is primarily responsible for forming the posterior floor of the cranial cavity?

Occipital bone Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the paranasal sinuses?

To aid in communication with the nasal cavity Signup and view all the answers

Which bone does the optic nerve exit through?

Optic canal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures passes through the superior orbital fissure?

Lacrimal nerve Signup and view all the answers

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the transverse foramina in cervical vertebrae?

To allow passage of vertebral arteries Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerves pass through the internal acoustic meatus?

CN VII and VIII Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily associated with the mastoid process?

Mastoid air cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the stylomastoid foramen?

Passage for the facial nerve Signup and view all the answers

Which foramen allows the passage of the maxillary nerve?

Foramen rotundum Signup and view all the answers

Which bone does not articulate with the ethmoid bone?

Occipital bone Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest bone of the face?

Lacrimal bone Signup and view all the answers

Which artery passes through the foramen spinosum?

Middle meningeal artery Signup and view all the answers

What structure is formed by the vomer bone?

Posterior nasal septum Signup and view all the answers

Which process serves as an attachment for muscles and ligaments?

Styloid process Signup and view all the answers

Which canal contains the internal carotid artery?

Carotid canal Signup and view all the answers

Which bones contribute to the formation of the temporal fossa?

Zygomatic and Frontal bones Signup and view all the answers

What is contained within the infratemporal fossa?

Mandibular division of the CN V and the maxillary artery Signup and view all the answers

Which artery is part of the pterygopalatine fossa?

Infraorbital artery Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the lateral wall of the orbit?

It is triangular in shape. Signup and view all the answers

The optic canal is located between which two bones?

Lesser wing of the sphenoid and body of the sphenoid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is closest to the orbit apex?

Maxillary tuberosity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structure located in the temporal fossa?

Temporalis muscle Signup and view all the answers

Which wall of the orbit is most prone to fractures due to sinus involvement?

Floor Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily located in the pterygopalatine fossa?

Sphenopalatine ganglion Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the pterygopalatine fossa?

Cone-shaped Signup and view all the answers

What structure forms the movable lower jaw?

Mandible Signup and view all the answers

Which bone articulates with the frontal, nasal, lacrimal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and zygomatic bones?

Maxillary bone Signup and view all the answers

Which foramen is associated with the greater palatine nerve and vessels?

Greater palatine foramen Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the zygomatic bones?

Form the lateral aspects of the cheekbones Signup and view all the answers

Which portion of the frontal bone lies above the nasal cavity?

Anterior cranial fossa Signup and view all the answers

What is located within the inferior orbital fissure?

Infraorbital & zygomatic nerves Signup and view all the answers

Which bone contributes to the formation of the hard palate?

Maxillary bone Signup and view all the answers

Which foramen is found in the maxillary bone and is associated with the nasopalatine nerve?

Incisive foramen Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'fossae' refer to in the context of the skull?

The deeper depressions on the skull surface Signup and view all the answers

What structure is NOT articulated with the frontal bone?

Temporal bone Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sutures

Only movable joint in the skull is the temporomandibular joint.
Coronal suture: Joins the frontal and parietal bones.
Sagittal suture: Joins the two parietal bones.
Lambdoidal suture: Connects occipital and parietal bones.
Squamosal suture: Links temporal and parietal bones.
Temporozygomatic suture: Unites zygomatic and temporal bones.
Medial palatine suture: Formed by palatine bones.
Transverse palatine suture: Joins maxillae and palatine bones.

Bones of the Cranium

Parietal bones: Form roof and sides; articulate with frontal, occipital, and temporal bones.
Occipital bones: Form posterior floor; contains foramen magnum for spinal cord and vertebral arteries.
Temporal bones:
- Squamous portion: Side of cranium; zygomatic process projects anteriorly.
- Petrous portion: Houses inner ear structures; includes mastoid and styloid processes.
Sphenoid bone:
- Articulates with various skull bones.
- Houses the pituitary gland in the sella turcica.
- Comprises two wings with optic foramen/gap for optic nerve and blood vessels.
- Includes pterygoid process.

Foramina of the Occipital Bone

Foramen magnum: Spinal cord and vertebral arteries pass through.
Hypoglossal canal: Contains CN XII (hypoglossal nerve).
Jugular foramen: CN IX, X, XI and internal jugular vein.
Foramen lacerum: Covered by cartilage; between sphenoid, occipital, and temporal bones.

Foramina of the Temporal Bone

Carotid canal: Passage for internal carotid artery.
External acoustic meatus: Opening to tympanic cavity.
Internal acoustic meatus: Passage for CN VII and VIII.
Stylomastoid foramen: Passage for CN VII.

Processes of the Temporal Bone

Mastoid process: Contains mastoid air cells; potential site for mastoiditis.
Styloid process: Attachment point for muscles and ligaments.
Zygomatic process: Contributes to the zygomatic arch.

Foramina of the Sphenoid Bone

Foramen rotundum: Allows maxillary nerve passage.
Foramen ovale: Passage for mandibular nerve.
Foramen spinosum: Passage for middle meningeal artery.
Optic canal: Optic nerve and ophthalmic artery.

Bones of the Face

Ethmoid bone: Contains cribriform plate for olfactory nerve passage; articulates with several facial bones.
Frontal bone: Forms forehead; articulates with nasal, maxillae, and zygomatic bones.
Nasal bones: Form bridge of the nose; articulate with other nasal region bones.
Lacrimal bone: Smallest facial bone; found in orbits.
Palatine bones: L-shaped bones that form hard palate.
Zygomatic bones: Form cheeks; articulate with maxilla and sphenoid.
Mandible: Movable lower jaw; contains foramina for nerves and vessels.
Maxillary bones: Form upper jaw, hard palate, lateral nasal cavity walls, and orbital floor.

Cranial Fossae

Anterior fossa: Houses frontal lobes.
Middle fossa: Houses temporal lobes.
Posterior fossa: Houses cerebellum.

Fossae of the Skull

Temporal fossa: Contains temporalis muscle; formed by multiple bones.
Infratemporal fossa: Contains mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, pterygoid plexus, and branches of the maxillary artery.
Pterygopalatine fossa: Contains maxillary artery and pterygopalatine ganglion.

Bones of the Orbit

Pyramid-shaped structure formed by 7 bones: frontal, maxillary, zygomatic, sphenoid, ethmoid, palatine, lacrimal.
Orbital walls consist of roof, floor, lateral wall, and medial wall, each formed by specific bones.

Orbital Foramina and Fissures

Optic foramen: Optic nerve and ophthalmic artery exit.
Superior orbital fissure: Key communication route for several cranial nerves and vessels.
Inferior orbital fissure: Allows passage for vessels and nerves between orbit and other fossae.

Paranasal Sinuses

Air-filled cavities that reduce skull weight and resonate voice.
Surround the orbit: frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary sinuses.

Bones of the Neck

Cervical vertebrae: Total of 7; each has a central vertebral foramen and transverse foramina for vertebral arteries.
Atlas: First cervical vertebra; articulates with occipital bone.
Axis: Second cervical vertebra characterized by the odontoid process.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the sutures of the skull and the bones of the cranium. This quiz covers specific details about each suture and bone, including their connections and functions. Ideal for students studying human anatomy or looking to refresh their understanding of cranial structure.