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 Head

Human Head
• In anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part (from
anatomical position) that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears,
nose, and mouth (all of which aid in various sensory functions,
such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste). Some very simple
animals may not have a head, but many bilaterally symmetric
forms do.
Bones of the head
Human skull
• The skull is divided
into the cranium (all the
skull bones except the
mandible) and the
mandible (or jawbone).
One feature that
distinguishes mammals
and non-mammals is
that there are also
three ear bones (called
ossicles):
• malleus (hammer)
• incus (anvil)
• stapes (stirrup)
Ossicles (Malleus,Incus,Stapes)
Ossicles (also called auditory ossicles) are the three smallest bones in the
human body. They are contained within the middle ear space and serve to
transmit sounds from the air to the fluid filled labyrinth (cochlea). The absence
of the auditory ossicles would constitute a moderate to severe hearing loss.

Malleus Incus Stapes

 Mandible

Jaw
 is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the
entrance to, the mouth.
Jaws
 is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures
constituting the vault of the mouth and serving to open and close it.

In vertebrates, the lower jaw, dentary or mandible is the mobile

component that articulates at its posterior processes, or rami
(singular ramus), with the temporal bones of the skull on either side;
the word jaw used in the singular typically refers to the lower jaw.
 Mandible
A.) Body
a.) Symphysis menti
b.) Mental protuberance
c.) Mental foramen
d.) Mylohyoid line
B.) Ramus
a.) Mandibular foramen
b.) Mylohyoid groove
c.) Mandibular canal
d.) Angle
e.) Coronoid process
f.) Condyloid process
g.) Mandibular notch
 Body of the Mandible
Body of the mandible

Symphysis menti

Mental protuberance

Mental foramen

Mylohyoid line

Mandible (from Latin mandibŭla, "jawbone") or inferior maxillary bone is, together
with the maxilla, the largest and strongest bone of the face[ citation needed]. It
forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place.
 Symphysis Menti

• The external surface of the mandible is marked in the median line by a faint ridge, indicating
the symphysis menti or line of junction of the two pieces of which the bone is composed at an
early period of life.
• This ridge divides below and encloses a triangular eminence, the mental protuberance, the
base of which is depressed in the center but raised on either side to form the mental tubercle.
• It serves as the origin for the Geniohyoid and the Genioglossus.
 Mental protuberance

Symphysis of the external surface of the mandible divides below and

encloses a triangular eminence, the Mental protuberance, the base of which
is depressed in the center but raised on either side to form the mental
tubercle.
 Mental foramen

Mental foramen
 is one of two holes ("foramina") located on the anterior surface of the mandible. It
permits passage of the mental nerve and vessels. The mental foramen descends slightly in
edentulous individuals
 Mylohyoid line

• Extending upward and backward on either side from the lower part of the
symphysis of the Mandible is the mylohyoid line, which is the origin of the
mylohyoid muscle; the posterior part of this line, near the alveolar margin,
gives attachment to a small part of the Constrictor pharyngis superior, and to
the pterygomandibular raphé.
 Ramus of the Mandible

• The ramus of the mandible (perpendicular portion) is quadrilateral

in shape, and has two surfaces, four borders, and two processes.
 Mandibular foramen

• The Mandibular foramen is an opening on the internal surface of

the ramus (posterior and perpendicularly oriented part of the
mandible) for divisions of the mandibular vessels and nerve to
pass.
Mylohyoid groove
• Behind this groove is a rough
surface, for the insertion of the
Pterygoideus internus.
• The margin of the mandibular
foramen is irregular; it presents in
front a prominent ridge, surmounted
by a sharp spine, the lingula
mandibulæ, which gives attachment
to the sphenomandibular ligament;
at its lower and back part is a notch
from which the mylohyoid groove
runs obliquely downward and
forward, and lodges the mylohyoid
vessels and nerve.
 Mandibular canal
Mandibular  runs obliquely downward and
forward in the ramus, and then
Canal horizontally forward in the body,
where it is placed under the alveoli
and communicates with them by
small openings.
• On arriving at the incisor teeth, it
turns back to communicate with the
mental foramen, giving off two
small canals which run to the
cavities containing the incisor teeth.
• Carries branches of inferior alveolar
nerve and artery. Is continuous with
the mental foramen (opents onto
front of mandible) and mandibular
foramen (on medial aspect of
ramus).
 Angle of the Mandible

At the junction of the lower border of the ramus of the mandible with the
posterior border is the angle of the mandible, which may be either inverted or
everted and is marked by rough, oblique ridges on each side, for the
attachment of the Masseter laterally, and the Pterygoideus internus medially;
the stylomandibular ligament is attached to the angle between these muscles.
 Coronoid Process

Coronoid process
 is a thin, triangular eminence, which is flattened from side to side and varies in shape
and size.
• Its anterior border is convex and is continuous below with the anterior border of the ramus.
• Its posterior border is concave and forms the anterior boundary of the mandibular notch.
• Its lateral surface is smooth, and affords insertion to the Temporalis and Masseter.
• Its medial surface gives insertion to the Temporalis, and presents a ridge which begins near
the apex of the process and runs downward and forward to the inner side of the last molar
tooth.
• Between this ridge and the anterior border is a grooved triangular area, the upper part of
which gives attachment to the Temporalis, the lower part to some fibers of the Buccinator.
Condyloid
Process
 is thicker than the
coronoid, and consists of two
portions: the condyle, and the
constricted portion which
supports it, the neck.

The condyle presents an articular surface for articulation with the articular disk of
the temporomandibular joint; it is convex from before backward and from side
to side, and extends farther on the posterior than on the anterior surface.
• Its long axis is directed medialward and slightly backward, and if prolonged to
the middle line will meet that of the opposite condyle near the anterior margin
of the foramen magnum.
• At the lateral extremity of the condyle is a small tubercle for the attachment of
the temporomandibular ligament.
 Mandibular Notch

The upper border of the ramus of mandible is thin, and is surmounted by two
processes, the coronoid process in front and the condyloid process behind,
separated by a deep concavity, the mandibular notch.
 Cranium
• The cranium can be divided into a skull cap (or calvarium) and base. The
cranium consists of several bones which fuse together at junctions called
sutures. Several sutures join to form a pterion.
• This process of bone fusion occurs in utero to protect the most important organ
in the body, the brain. Although most fusing is complete before birth, there are
large areas of fibrous tissue (called fontanelles) where fusion is incomplete until
puberty.
• Facial and skull bones formed:
• two maxillae (one on each side of the head) that cover the inferior and medial to
the eye socket (or orbit)
• two zygomatic bones, inferior and lateral to the orbit
• two temporal bones, covering an area where the ears are located
• a single frontal bone, superior to the orbit
• two parietal bones, posterior to the frontal bone and superior to the temporal
bone
• an occipital bone at the back of the head
• several more internal bones which are not easily seen which are
a sphenoid bone, ethmoid bone, two lacrimal bones, two nasal bones, two
palatine bones, two nasal conchae, a vomer
 • The point corresponding with the
Pterion posterior end of the sphenoparietal
suture is named the pterion.

Location
• It is situated about 3 cm. behind,
and a little above the level of the
zygomatic process of the frontal
bone.
• It marks the junction between four
bones:
• the parietal bone
• the temporal bone
• the sphenoid bone
• the frontal bone
Fontanels
• In human anatomy, a fontanelle (or
fontanel) is one of two "soft spots"
on a newborn human's skull. There
are, however, two more fontanelles
of interest, the mastoid fontanelle,
and the sphenoidal fontanelle.
• Fontanelles are soft spots on a
baby's head which, during birth,
enable the soft bony plates of the
skull to flex, allowing the head to
pass through the birth canal.
Fontanelles are usually completely
hardened by a child's second
birthday, and will eventually form
the sutures of the neurocranium.
 Maxilla
I.) Body of maxilla
II.) Maxillary sinus Processes
A.) Surfaces of body
1.) Zygomatic process
1.) Anterior
2.) Frontal process
a.) Incisive fossa a.) Agger nasi
b.) Canine fossa b.) Anterior lacrimal
c.) Infraorbital foramen crest
3.) Alveolar process
d.) Anterior nasal spine
4.) Palatine process
2.) Infratemporal a.) Incisive foramen
a.) Alveolar canals b.) Incisive canals
b.) Maxillary tuberosity c.) Foramina of
3.) Orbital Scarpa
d.) Premaxilla e.)
a.) Infraorbital groove Anterior nasal spine
b.) Infraorbital canal
4.) Nasal
a.) Pterygopalatine canal
 Maxilla
Maxilla  is a fusion of two bones along the
palatal fissure that form the upper jaw.
This is similar to the mandible, which is
also a fusion of two halves at the mental
symphysis.
Function
• The alveolar process of the maxilla holds
the upper teeth, and is referred to as the
maxillary arch. The maxilla attaches
laterally to the zygomatic bones (cheek
bones).
• The maxilla assists in forming the
boundaries of three cavities:
• the roof of the mouth
• the floor and lateral wall of the nasal
antrum
• the floor of the orbit
• The maxilla also enters into the formation
of two fossae: the infratemporal and
pterygopalatine, and two fissures, the
inferior orbital and pterygomaxillary.
Body of the Maxilla
Body of the Maxilla
 is somewhat pyramidal
in shape, and contains a
large cavity, the maxillary
sinus (antrum of Highmore).
• It has four surfaces - an
anterior, a posterior or
infratemporal, a superior or
orbital, and a medial or
nasal.
Maxillary Sinus
Maxillary sinus (or Antrum
of Highmore)

 is the largest of the

paranasal sinuses, and is
pyramidal in shape.
Surfaces of body
1.) Anterior
a.) Incisive fossa
b.) Canine fossa
c.) Infraorbital foramen
d.) Anterior nasal spine
2.) Infratemporal
a.) Alveolar canals
b.) Maxillary tuberosity
3.) Orbital
a.) Infraorbital groove
b.) Infraorbital canal
4.) Nasal
a.) Pterygopalatine canal
Anterior surface of the body of
the maxilla Anterior surface
 is directed forward and lateral
ward. It presents at its lower part a
series of eminences corresponding
to the positions of the roots of the
teeth. Just above those of the
incisor teeth is a depression, the
incisive fossa, which gives origin to
the Depressor alae nasi; to the
alveolar border below the fossa is
attached a slip of the Orbicularis
oris; above and a little lateral to it,
the Nasalis arises.
Incisive fossa
On the anterior surface of the maxilla,
just above the eminences
corresponding to the incisor teeth is
a depression, the incisive fossa,
which gives origin to the Depressor
alæ nasi; to the alveolar border
below the fossa is attached a slip of
the Orbicularis oris; above and a
little lateral to it, the Nasalis arises.
Canine fossa

Lateral to the incisive fossa is

another depression, the
canine fossa; it is larger and
deeper than the incisive fossa,
and is separated from it by a
vertical ridge, the canine
eminence, corresponding to
the socket of the canine tooth;
the canine fossa gives origin
to the Caninus.
Infraorbital Foramen
Above the canine
fossa is the
infraorbital
foramen, the end of
the infraorbital
canal; it transmits
the infraorbital
artery, vein, and
infraorbital nerve.
Anterior Nasal Spine
• Medially, the anterior surface
of the maxilla is limited by a
deep concavity, the nasal
notch, the margin of which
gives attachment to the
Dilatator naris posterior and
ends below in a pointed
process, which with its fellow
of the opposite side forms the
anterior nasal spine.
Infratemporal surface of the
body of the maxilla
Infratemporal surface
 is convex, directed backward
and lateralward, and forms part of
the infratemporal fossa.
• It is separated from the anterior
surface by the zygomatic process
and by a strong ridge, extending
upward from the socket of the first
molar tooth. It is pierced about its
center by the apertures of the
alveolar canals, which transmit the
posterior superior alveolar vessels
and nerves.
Alveolar canals

The infratemporal
surface of the
maxilla is pierced
about its center by
the apertures of the
alveolar canals,
which transmit the
posterior superior
alveolar vessels and
nerves.
Maxillary Tuberosity
• At the lower part of the
infratemporal surface of the maxilla
is a rounded eminence, the
maxillary tuberosity, especially
prominent after the growth of the
wisdom tooth; it is rough on its
lateral side for articulation with the
pyramidal process of the palatine
bone and in some cases articulates
with the lateral pterygoid plate of
the sphenoid.
• It gives origin to a few fibers of the
Pterygoideus internus.
Orbital surface of the body of
the maxilla
Orbital surface

 is smooth and
triangular, and
forms the greater
part of the floor of
the orbit.
Infraorbital Groove
• Near the middle of the posterior
part of the orbital surface of the
maxilla is the infraorbital groove (or
sulcus), for the passage of the
infraorbital vessels and nerve.
• The groove begins at the middle of
the posterior border, where it is
continuous with that near the upper
edge of the infratemporal surface,
and, passing forward, ends in a
canal, which subdivides into two
branches.
Infraorbital canal

• One of the canals of the orbital

surface of the maxilla, the
infraorbital canal, opens just
below the margin of the orbit.
Nasal surface of the body of
the maxilla
• The nasal surface presents a
large, irregular opening
leading into the maxillary
sinus. At the upper border of
this aperture are some broken
air cells, which, in the
articulated skull, are closed in
by the ethmoid and lacrimal
bones.
Greater Palatine
Canal
Greater palatine canal (or
pterygopalatine canal)

 is a passage in the
skull that transmits the
greater palatine artery,
vein, and nerve between
the pterygopalatine
fossa and the oral
cavity.
 Maxilla
A.) Four processes
1.) The zygomatic process
2.) The frontal process
a.) Agger nasi
b.) Anterior lacrimal crest
3.) The alveolar process
4.) The palatine process
a.) Incisive foramen
b.) Incisive canals
c.) Foramina of Scarpa
d.) Premaxilla
e.) Anterior nasal spine
Zygomatic Process

The zygomatic process of the maxilla (malar process) is a

rough triangular eminence, situated at the angle of
separation of the anterior, zygomatic, and orbital
surfaces.
Frontal Process
Frontal process of the maxilla (nasal
process) is a strong plate, which projects
upward, medialward, and backward, by
the side of the nose, forming part of its
lateral boundary.
• Its lateral surface is smooth, continuous
with the anterior surface of the body, and
gives attachment to the Quadratus labii
superioris, the Orbicularis oculi, and the
medial palpebral ligament.
Agger nasi

• The agger nasi (from agger meaning "mound or heap")

is a small ridge on the lateral side of the nasal cavity. It
is located midway at the anterior edge of the middle
nasal concha, directly above the atrium of the middle
meatus. It is formed by a mucous membrane that is
covering the ethmoidal crest of the maxilla.
• It is also called the nasoturbinal concha and the nasal
ridge.
Anterior lacrimal crest

• The lateral margin of the lacrimal fossa is named

the anterior lacrimal crest, and is continuous
below with the orbital margin; at its junction with
the orbital surface is a small tubercle, the
lacrimal tubercle, which serves as a guide to the
position of the lacrimal sac.
Alveolar Process

The alveolar process is the thickened ridge of bone that contains the tooth sockets on bones
that bear teeth. It is also referred to as the alveolar bone. In humans, the tooth-bearing bones
are the maxilla and the mandible.
Palatine Process

• The palatine process of the maxilla (palatal process), thick and strong, is horizontal and
projects medialward from the nasal surface of the bone.
• It forms a considerable part of the floor of the nose and the roof of the mouth and is much
thicker in front than behind.
Incisive Foramen

• When the two maxillæ are articulated, a funnel-shaped opening,

the incisive foramen, is seen in the middle line, immediately behind
the incisor teeth.
Incisive Canal

• In the opening of the incisive foramen, the orifices of two lateral

canals are visible; they are named the incisive canals or foramina
of Stenson.
Foramina of Scarpa

• In the maxilla, occasionally two additional canals are present in the middle
line of the palatine process; they are termed the foramina of Scarpa, and
when present transmit the nasopalatine nerves, the left passing through the
anterior, and the right through the posterior canal.
Premaxilla

• The premaxilla is a pair of small cranial bones at the very tip of the
jaws of many animals, usually bearing teeth, but not always. They
are connected to the maxilla and the nasals.
Anterior Nasal Spine
• Medially, the anterior surface
of the maxilla is limited by a
deep concavity, the nasal
notch, the margin of which
gives attachment to the
Dilatator naris posterior and
ends below in a pointed
process, which with its fellow
of the opposite side forms the
anterior nasal spine.
Palatine Bone

• The palatine bone is a bone in the palate

(Latin palatum; unrelated to palatium
'palace', from which other senses of palatine
derive).
 Palatine Bone
1.) Pterygopalatine fossa
2.) Pterygoid fossa
3.) Horizontal plate
a.) Posterior nasal spine
4.) Perpendicular plate
a.) Pterygopalatine canal
b.) Sphenopalatine foramen
c.) Pyramidal process
5.) Processes
a.) Orbital
b.) Sphenoidal
 Pterygopalatine Fossa

• The pterygopalatine fossa

 is a fossa in the skull.
 Pterygoid fossa

• The pterygoid fossa

 is an anatomical term for the fossa formed by the divergence of the
lateral pterygoid plate and the medial pterygoid plate of the sphenoid
bone.
Horizontal plate of palatine
bone

• The horizontal part of the palatine bone

(horizontal plate) is quadrilateral, and has
two surfaces and four borders.
Posterior nasal spine
• Its medial end of the posterior
border of the horizontal plate
of palatine bone is sharp and
pointed, and, when united with
that of the opposite bone,
forms a projecting process,
the posterior nasal spine for
the attachment of the
Musculus uvulæ.
Perpendicular plate of palatine
bone

• The vertical part (perpendicular plate) of

the palatine bone is thin, of an oblong form,
and presents two surfaces and four borders.
 Greater palatine canal

• The greater palatine canal (or pterygopalatine

canal) is a passage in the skull that transmits the
greater palatine artery, vein, and nerve between
the pterygopalatine fossa and the oral cavity.
 Sphenopalatine foramen

• The sphenopalatine foramen is a foramen in

the skull that connects the nasal cavity
with the pterygopalatine fossa.
Pyramidal process of palatine
bone

• The pyramidal process of the palatine bone projects

backward and lateralward from the junction of the
horizontal and vertical parts, and is received into the
angular interval between the lower extremities of the
pterygoid plates.
Orbital process of palatine bone

• The orbital process of the palatine bone is placed on a higher level

than the sphenoidal, and is directed upward and lateralward from
the front of the vertical part, to which it is connected by a
constricted neck. It presents five surfaces, which enclose an air
cell. Of these surfaces, three are articular and two non-articular.
Sphenoidal process of palatine
bone

• The vertical part (perpendicular plate) of

the palatine bone is thin, of an oblong form,
and presents two surfaces and four borders.
Zygomatic Bone
Zygomatic bone (malar
bone)

 is a paired bone of the human

skull. It articulates with the maxilla, the
temporal bone, the sphenoid bone and
the frontal bone. It forms part of the orbit
and is commonly referred to as the
cheekbone. It is situated at the upper
and lateral part of the face: it forms the
prominence of the cheek, part of the
lateral wall and floor of the orbit, and
parts of the temporal and infratemporal
fossae. It presents a malar and a
temporal surface; four processes, the
frontosphenoidal, orbital, maxillary, and
temporal; and four borders.
Zygomatic Bone

Orbital process
Zygomaticofacial foramen
Zygomaticotemporal foramen
Zygomaticoörbital foramina
Orbital Process of the
Zygomatic bone

Orbital process of
the zygomatic
bone
 is a thick,
strong plate,
projecting
backward and
medialward from
the orbital
margin.
Zygomaticofacial foramen
The malar surface of the
zygomatic bone is convex
and perforated near its center
by a small aperture, the
zygomaticofacial foramen, for
the passage of the
zygomaticofacial nerve and
vessels; below this foramen is
a slight elevation, which gives
origin to the Zygomaticus.
Zygomaticotemporal foramen

• Near the center of

the temporal surface
of the zygomatic
bone is the
zygomaticotemporal
foramen for the
transmission of the
zygomaticotemporal
nerve.
Zygomaticoörbital foramina
On the orbital process of the
zygomatic bone are seen the
orifices of two canals, the
zygomaticoörbital foramina;
one of these canals opens
into the temporal fossa, the
other on the malar surface of
the bone; the former transmits
the zygomaticotemporal, the
latter the zygomaticofacial
nerve.
Temporal Bone
Temporal bones
 are situated at the sides and
base of the skull.
• The temporal bone supports that
part of the face known as the
temple.
Parts
• Each consists of five parts:
• Squama temporalis
• Mastoid portion
• Petrous portion
• Tympanic part
• Styloid process (temporal)
Squama Temporalis
Squama of the
temporal bone

 forms the
anterior and upper
part of the bone,
and is scale-like,
thin, and
translucent.
Mastoid portion of the
temporal bone
Mastoid portion of the
temporal bone

 forms the
posterior part of the
temporal bone.
Petrous portion of the temporal
bone
Petrous portion of the temporal
bone or pyramid

 is pyramidal and is wedged in at

the base of the skull between the
sphenoid and occipital. Directed
medialward, forward, and a little
upward, it presents for examination a
base, an apex, three surfaces, and
three angles, and contains, in its
interior, the essential parts of the
organ of hearing.
Tympanic part of the temporal
bone
Tympanic part of the
temporal bone

 is a curved plate
of bone lying below
the squama and in
front of the mastoid
process.
Temporal styloid process
Styloid process

 is pointed piece
of bone that
extends down from
the human skull,
just below the ear.
Frontal bone
Frontal bone
 is a bone in the
human skull that
resembles a cockle-
shell in form, and
consists of two
portions:
• A vertical portion, the
squama frontalis,
corresponding with the
region of the forehead.
• An orbital or horizontal
portion, the pars
orbitalis, which enters
into the formation of the
roofs of the orbital and
nasal cavities.
 Frontal bone
I.) Squama frontalis II.) Pars orbitalis
a.) Frontal suture a.) Ethmoidal notch

b.) Frontal eminence b.) Lacrimal fossa

c.) Superciliary arches c.) Trochlear fovea

d.) Glabella d.) Posterior ethmoidal foramen

e.) Supraorbital foramen e.) Anterior ethmoidal foramen

f.) Zygomatic process f.) Frontal sinus

g.) Sagittal sulcus g.) Frontonasal duct

h.) Frontal crest

i.) Foramen cecum

 Squama frontalis
• There are two surfaces of the squama of the frontal
bone: the external surface, and the internal surface.
Frontal suture
Frontal suture is a dense connective
tissue structure that divides the two
halves of the frontal bone of the
skull in infants and children. It
usually disappears by the age of
six, with the two halves of the
frontal bone being fused together. If
it does not disappear it may be
called a "metopic suture" or "sutura
frontalis persistens." If the suture is
not present at birth
(craniosynostosis) it will cause a
keel-shaped deformity of the skull
called "trigonocephaly."
Frontal Eminence
• On the frontal bone, on either side
of the frontal suture, about 3 cm.
above the supraorbital margin, is a
rounded elevation, the frontal
eminence (tuber frontale).
• These eminences vary in size in
different individuals, are
occasionally unsymmetrical, and
are especially prominent in young
skulls; the surface of the bone
above them is smooth, and covered
by the galea aponeurotica.
Superciliary Arches
• On the squama frontalis of the
frontal bone, below the frontal
eminences, and separated
from them by a shallow
groove, are two arched
elevations, the superciliary
arches; these are prominent
medially, and are joined to one
another by a smooth elevation
named the glabella. The
superciliary arches are more
prominent in men
Glabella
Glabella

 is the space
between the
eyebrows and
above the nose. It is
slightly elevated,
and joins the two
superciliary ridges.
Supraorbital foramen
Supraorbital foramen
 is a bony elongated path located
above the eye socket and under the
forehead. The supraorbital foramen lies
directly under the eyebrow.
The supraorbital foramen arches
transversely below the superciliary
arches and is the upper part of the
margin of the orbit, thin and prominent
in its lateral two-thirds, rounded in its
medial third, and presenting, at the
junction of these two portions, the
supraorbital notch or foramen for the
supraorbital nerve and vessels
(supraorbital artery and supraorbital
vein.)
Zygomatic process of frontal
bone
• The
supraorbital
margin of the
frontal bone
ends laterally in
the zygomatic
process, which
is strong and
prominent, and
articulates with
the zygomatic
bone.
Sagittal Sulcus
• The internal surface of the
squama frontalis of the frontal
bone is concave and presents
in the upper part of the middle
line a vertical groove, the
sagittal sulcus, the edges of
which unite below to form a
ridge, the frontal crest; the
sulcus lodges the superior
sagittal sinus, while its
margins and the crest afford
attachment to the falx cerebri.
• It also is part of the parietal,
and occipital bones.
Frontal Crest
• The internal surface of the squama
frontalis of the frontal bone is
concave and presents in the upper
part of the middle line a vertical
groove, the sagittal sulcus, the
edges of which unite below to form
a ridge, the frontal crest; the sulcus
lodges the superior sagittal sinus,
while its margins and the crest
afford attachment to the falx
cerebri.
Foramen cecum (frontal bone)
• The frontal crest of the frontal bone ends
below in a small notch which is converted
into a foramen, the foramen cecum, by
articulation with the ethmoid.
• This foramen varies in size in different
subjects, and is frequently impervious;
when open, it transmits a vein from the
nose to the superior sagittal sinus. This
has clinical importance in that infections
of the nose and nearby areas can be
transmitted to the meninges and brain
from what is known as the danger triangle
of the face.
 Pars Orbitalis
• The orbital or horizontal part of the frontal bone
(pars orbitalis) consists of two thin triangular
plates, the orbital plates, which form the vaults
of the orbits, and are separated from one
another by a median gap, the ethmoidal notch.
Ethmoidal notch
Ethmoidal notch

 separates the two orbital

plates; it is quadrilateral, and filled,
in the articulated skull, by the
cribriform plate of the ethmoid.
• The margins of the notch present
several half-cells which, when
united with corresponding half-cells
on the upper surface of the
ethmoid, complete the ethmoidal air
cells.
Lacrimal fossa
The inferior surface of each
orbital plate of the frontal bone
is smooth and concave, and
presents, laterally, under
cover of the zygomatic
process, a shallow
depression, the lacrimal fossa
(or fossa for lacrimal gland),
for the lacrimal gland.
Trochlear fovea
Near the nasal part of
the interior surface
of the frontal bone
is a depression, the
trochlear fovea, or
occasionally a small
trochlear spine, for
the attachment of
the cartilaginous
pulley of the
Obliquus oculi
superior.
Posterior ethmoidal foramen
• Lateral to either olfactory
groove are the internal
openings of the anterior and
posterior ethmoidal foramina
(or canals).
Posterior ethmoidal foramen
opens at the back part of this
margin under cover of the
projecting lamina of the
sphenoid, and transmits the
posterior ethmoidal vessels
and nerve.
Anterior ethmoidal foramen
• Lateral to either olfactory groove
are the internal openings of the
anterior and posterior ethmoidal
foramina (or canals).
Anterior ethmoidal foramen, situated
about the middle of the lateral
margin of the olfactory groove,
transmits the anterior ethmoidal
vessels and the nasociliary nerve;
the nerve runs in a groove along
the lateral edge of the cribriform
plate to the slit-like opening above
mentioned.
 Frontal sinus

Frontal sinuses, situated behind the superciliary arches, are rarely symmetrical,
and the septum between them frequently deviates to one or other side of the
middle line.
• Their average measurements are as follows: height, 3 cm.; breadth, 2.5 cm.;
depth from before backward, 2.5 cm.
Frontonasal duct

• The frontal air sinuses are lined by mucous

membrane, and each communicates with the
corresponding nasal cavity by means of a
passage called the frontonasal duct.
 Parietal bone
Parietal bones
are bones in the human skull and Outer
form, by their union, the sides and
roof of the cranium. Each bone is
irregularly quadrilateral in form,
and has two surfaces, four
borders, and four angles.

Inner
 Sagittal border, the longest and thickest, is dentated and

Borders
articulates with its fellow of the opposite side, forming the
sagittal suture.
Frontal border is deeply serrated, and bevelled at the expense of
the outer surface above and of the inner below; it articulates
with the frontal bone, forming half of the coronal suture. The
point where the coronal suture intersects with the sagittal
suture forms a T-shape and is called the bregma.
Occipital border, deeply denticulated, articulates with the
occipital, forming half of the lambdoid suture. That point
where the sagittal suture intersects the lambdoid suture is
called the lambda, because of its resemblance to the Greek
letter.
Squamous border is divided into three parts: of these:
• the anterior is thin and pointed, bevelled at the expense
of the outer surface, and overlapped by the tip of the
great wing of the sphenoid;
• the middle portion is arched, bevelled at the expense of
the outer surface, and overlapped by the squama of the
temporal;
• the posterior part is thick and serrated for articulation
with the mastoid portion of the temporal.
 • Frontal angle is practically a right angle, and corresponds with

Angles
the point of meeting of the sagittal and coronal sutures; this
point is named the bregma; in the fetal skull and for about a
year and a half after birth this region is membranous, and is
called the anterior fontanelle.
• Occipital angle is rounded and corresponds with the point of
meeting of the sagittal and lambdoidal sutures—a point which
is termed the lambda; in the fetus this part of the skull is
membranous, and is called the posterior fontanelle.
• Mastoid angle is truncated; it articulates with the occipital bone
and with the mastoid portion of the temporal, and presents on
its inner surface a broad, shallow groove which lodges part of
the transverse sinus. The point of meeting of this angle with the
occipital and the mastoid part of the temporal is named the
asterion.
• Sphenoidal angle, thin and acute, is received into the interval
between the frontal bone and the great wing of the sphenoid.
Its inner surface is marked by a deep groove, sometimes a
canal, for the anterior divisions of the middle meningeal artery.
 Occipital bone,
Occipital bone  a saucer-shaped membrane
bone situated at the back and lower
part of the cranium, is trapezoid in
shape and curved on itself. It is
pierced by a large oval aperture,
the foramen magnum, through
which the cranial cavity
communicates with the vertebral
canal.
• The curved, expanded plate behind
the foramen magnum is named the
squama occipitalis.
• The thick, somewhat quadrilateral
piece in front of the foramen is
called the basilar part of occipital
bone.
• On either side of the foramen are
the lateral parts of occipital bone.
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