Chapter 7: The Skull

Question 1

calvaria

Answer 1

the top of the skull

Question 2

coronal suture

Answer 2

where the frontal bone is connected to the parietal bones

Question 3

supraorbital foramen (notch)

Answer 3

a hole in the superior each of the orbits that allows passage of blood and nerves to the eyes and eyelid

Question 4

glabella

Answer 4

smooth bone found between the two orbits

Question 5

paranasal sinuses

Answer 5

Air-filled cavities within certain skull bones that connect to the nasal cavity; located in the frontal, maxillary, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.

Question 6

anterior cranal fossa

Answer 6

the internal structure of the frontal lobe that supports the brain

Question 7

sagittal suture

Answer 7

the medial suture that connects the two parietal bones

Question 8

lambdoid suture

Answer 8

where the parietal bones connect to the occipital bones

Question 9

superior temporal line and inferior temporal line

Answer 9

attachment sites on the parietal bones for a mastication muscle, the temporalis

Question 10

squamous suture

Answer 10

where the temporal bones are connected to the skull

Question 11

zygomatic process

Answer 11

bony arch created by the junction of the zygomatic and temporal bones.

Question 12

mandibular fossa

Answer 12

an oval-shaped fossa on the inferior side of the zygomatic process

Question 13

tympanic part

Answer 13

this part of the temporal bone contains the “external acoustic meatus” or “external auditory canal” that transmits sound towards the eardrum or tympanic membrane.

Question 14

mastoid process

Answer 14

a large bony inferior projection superior to the ear that is the attachment point of muscles that turn the neck.

Question 15

mastoid air cells

Answer 15

Spaces within the mastoid process of the temporal bone connected to the middle ear by ducts.

Question 16

styloid process

Answer 16

a projection from the inferior of the petrous part of the temporal bone and is the attachment site for muscles that control the movement of the tongue, hyoid bone, and pharynx.

Question 17

stylamastoid process

Answer 17

located between the styloid process and the amstoid process and allows for passage of nerves controlling facial muscles.

Question 18

foramen magnum

Answer 18

the large hole in the occiptal bone where the brainstem connects to the spinal cord.

Question 19

posterior cranial fossae

Answer 19

these structures support the cerebellem of the brain

Question 20

occipital condyles

Answer 20

points of articulation between the skull and the first cervical vertabra that allow for the “yes” nodding

Question 21

hypoglossal canal

Answer 21

the anteromedial region of the occiptal bone where the nerve for the tongue exits the skull

Question 22

external occipital protuberance

Answer 22

felt at the base of the skull, this projection is the attachment site of a ligament that extends down the neck and keeps the head upright by attaching to the occipital bone

Question 23

nuchal lines

Answer 23

attachment points on the occipital bone for muscles that control movement of the head.

Question 24

what are the four parts of the sphenoid bone?

Answer 24

body

greater wings

lesser wings

pterygoid processes

Question 25

sella turcica

Answer 25

a saddle shaped prominence on the central part of the sphenoid bone that surrounds and protects the pituitary gland

Question 26

optic canal

Answer 26

located on the sphenoid bone, this canal allows for the optic nerves to enter the brain from the eyes.

Question 27

ethmoid bone

Answer 27

this bone forms the nasal septum and is very porous.

Question 28

crista galli

Answer 28

a prominent superior ridge of the ethmoid bone and is the attachment site for the meninges of the brain. It also helps anchor the brain in the cranial cavity

Question 29

cribriform

Answer 29

Located on each side of the crista galli, these house the olfactory bulbs

Question 30

What are the two major functions of the paranasal sinuses

Answer 30

1) decreasing the weight of skull
2) acting as a resonating chamber when speaking

Question 31

hyoid bone

Answer 31

this bone is important in swallowing and for speech and provides an attachment point for tongue muscles and the neck muscles that elevate the larynx.