Fetal Skull Flashcards
List three evolutionary adaptations that enable human birth?
Birth while the fetus’ brain is immature (with rapid development after birth), the ability to flex the head, and moulding of the skull.
What are the layers of the scalp?
Skin, dense connective tissue, epicranial aponeurosis, loose areolar connective tissue and the periosteum.
What are the layers of the skull?
The periosteum, skull bone, dura mater, subdural space, subarachnoid space, brain.
The fetal skull is divided into which three regions?
The vault, base and face.
Describe the vault.
The large, dome-shaped part of the skull. Divided by an imaginary line between the orbital ridges and the nape of the neck.
The vault is comprised of which 7 bones?
The occipital bone, two parietal bones, two frontal bones and two temporal bones.
Describe the base.
Contains 8 bones that are fused. Provides protection for the brain steam.
Describe the face.
Extends from the orbital ridges and the root of the nose to the junction of the chin and neck.
Define fontanelle.
Where three or more sutures meet. A membranous gap between the edges of skull bones.
What are sutures?
Membranous divisions between the skull bones where ossification is incomplete.
What are the advantages of sutures and fontanelles?
They allow moulding during birth and expansion of the brain during childhood.
What are the main sutures?
The frontal suture, sagittal suture, lambdoidal suture and coronal suture.
Describe the position of the frontal suture.
Runs between the two frontal bones.
Describe the position of the sagittal suture.
Runs between the two parietal bones.
Describe the position of the lambdoidal sutures.
Run between the parietal and occipital bones
