bones and fossae Flashcards
how many bones in the adult cranium
- 22 bones in the adult cranium
- plus the 6 bones of the middle ear and the mandible
regions of the brain
the skull can be divided into 2 regions - the neurocranium that protects the brain and the viscerocranium that forms the face
functions of the skull
- protects the brain and the organs of special sense
- provides openings for passage of food and air
- houses teeth for mastication
neurocranium
8 cranial bones
- frontal, parietal, sphenoid, ethmoid, temporal, occipital
viscerocranium
14 facial bones
temporal fossa
a shallow depression on the temporal region of the skull. it forms one of the largest landmarks of the skull.
how does the temporal fossa communicate with infratemporal fossa
inferiorly via and opening deep to the zygomatic arch
what is the temporal fossa mainly occupied by
mainly occupied by the temporalis muscle which has a wide attachment spread across the fossa.
the temporal fossa also harbours some important neurovascular structures such as the deep temporal vessels and nerves
infratemporal fossa
large space which is medial to ramus of mandible, lateral to lateral pterygoid plate, posterior to maxillary tuberosity and anterior to tympanic part of the temporal bone
what does the infratemporal fossa contain
it contains superficial muscles, including the lower part of the temporal muscle, the lateral pterygoid muscle, and the medial pterygoid muscle
what blood vessels and nerves does the infratemporal fossa contain
- the middle meningeal artery
- the pterygoid plexus
- the mandibular nerve and its branches
pterygopalatine fossa
pyramidal-shaped space inferior to the apex of the orbit
- lies anterior to the pterygoid process of the sphenoid and posterior to the maxilla
what does the pterygopalatine fossa contain
neurovascular structures:
- pterygopalatine ganglion
- maxillary artery and its branches
- emissary veins
- maxillary division of trigeminal nerve
- nerve of the pterygoid canal
foramina and fissures
foramen - opening or hole
fissure - slit-like groove
transmit nerves and blood vessels
anterior cranial fossa foramen and fissures
- cribriform plate