HNN Topic 1 - Bony Anatomy of Head

Question 1

Describe the articulation of the mandible

Answer 1

Articulates with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint

Question 2

List the contents of the foramen ovale

Answer 2

• Mandibular nerve - division of the trigeminal nerve - Accessory meningeal artery

Question 3

List the bones which make up the facial skeleton

Answer 3

• Zygomatic - Maxilla - Lacrimal - Nasal - Vomer - Inferior nasal conchae - Palatine - Mandible

Question 4

Describe the function of the facial skeleton

Answer 4

• Support the soft tissues of the face - Form the orbit of the eyes, nasal and oral cavity and sinuses

Question 5

List the main sutures of the skull and the bones they connect

Answer 5

• Coronal suture - joins frontal to parietal bones - Sagittal suture - joins parietal bones to each other - Lambdoid suture - joins occipital to parietal bones

Question 6

List the contents foramen lacerum

Answer 6

• Internal carotid artery - Internal carotid plexus

Question 7

List the contents of the jugular foramen

Answer 7

• Vagus nerve - Accessory nerve - Glossopharyngeal nerve - Inferior petrosal and sigmoid sinuses - Posterior meningeal artery

Question 8

What is the pterion?

Answer 8

Where the frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid bones meet on the lateral skull

Question 9

List the bones of the calvarium

Answer 9

Frontal, occipital and 2 parietal bones

Question 10

What type of joint are the sutures of the skull?

Answer 10

Fibrous joints, immoveable, fuse by 20 y/o

Question 11

Describe the contents of the infraorbital foramen

Answer 11

Infraorbital artery, vein and nerve

Question 12

List the contents of the hypoglossal canal

Answer 12

• Hypoglossal nerve

Question 13

Describe the contents of the middle cranial fossa

Answer 13

Pituitary gland medially and temporal lobes laterally

Question 14

What name is given to the bone marrow of the cranial vault?

Answer 14

Diploe

Question 15

List the main foramina of the cranial base and the bones which they run through

Answer 15

1. Foramen magnum (occipital bone) 2. Jugular foramen (occipital bone) 3. Hypoglossal canal (occipital bone) 4. Internal acoustic meatus (temporal bone) 5. Foramen lacerum (between sphenoid, temporal and occipital bones) 6. Foramen ovale (sphenoid bone) 7. Foramen rotundum (sphenoid bone) 8. Superior orbital fissure (sphenoid bone) 9. Optic canal (sphenoid bone) 10. Foramina of the cribiform plate (ethmoid bone)

Question 16

Describe the contents of the supraorbital foramen

Answer 16

Supraorbital artery, vein and nerve

Question 17

What covers the pituitary gland?

Answer 17

Diaphragma

Question 18

Describe the parts of the bone of the cranial vault

Answer 18

Outer and inner tables - compact bone

Question 19

List the contents of the superior orbital fissure

Answer 19

• Ophthalmic nerve - division of the trigeminal nerve - Oculomotor nerve - Trochlear nerve - Abducens nerve

Question 20

List the main foramina of the facial skeleton and the bones they pass through

Answer 20

• Mental foramen (mandible) - Supraorbital foramen (frontal) - Infraorbital foramen (maxilla)

Question 21

Describe the differences present in the skull of a neonate compared to a fully developed skull

Answer 21

Incompletely fused sutures form membraneous gaps between bones = fontanelles

Question 22

List the fontanelles present in neonates and describe their anatomical positions

Answer 22

1. Frontal fontanelle - junction of coronal and sagittal sutures 2. Occipital fontanelle - junction of sagittal and lambdoid sutures

Question 23

What is the clinical significance of the sutures of the skull?

Answer 23

Points of potential weakness in childhood/adulthood

Question 24

Describe the contents of the posterior cranial fossa

Answer 24

Brainstem and cerebellum

Question 25

Describe the contents of the anterior cranial fossa

Answer 25

Anteroinferior parts of the frontal lobe

Question 26

Describe the location and contents of the mental foramen

Answer 26

• Below the 2nd premolar tooth bilaterally in the mandible - Mental nerve and artery

Question 27

List the bones which make up the cranial base

Answer 27

Frontal, sphenoid, parietal, occipital, ethmoid, temporal

Question 28

What is the function of the paranasal sinuses?

Answer 28

• Reduce weight of skull - Produce mucous to protect nose from foreign particles - Humidify inhaled air

Question 29

List the parts of the cranium

Answer 29

1. Calvarium (cranial vault) 2. Cranial base

Question 30

List the contents of the foramina of the cribiform plate

Answer 30

• Olfactory nerve bundles

Question 31

List the contents of the optic canal

Answer 31

• Optic nerve - Ophthalmic artery

Question 32

Describe the parts and structure of the mandible

Answer 32

1. Horizontal body - 16 sockets to hold lower teeth - Midline = mandibular symphysis (fusion of two halves during development) - Mental protuberance forms shape of chin - Mental foramen 2. Rami laterally - Attached to body at mandibular angle - Mandibular condyle and coronoid process w/ mandibular notch between articulate at TMJ

Question 33

List the contents of the foramen rotundum

Answer 33

• Maxillary nerve - division of the trigeminal nerve

Question 34

List the paranasal sinuses and describe their locations

Answer 34

• Maxillary sinus (under eyes) - Frontal sinus (above eye) - Ethmoidal sinus (between eyes) - Sphenoid sinus (behind eyes)

Question 35

List the contents of the foramen magum

Answer 35

• Medulla oblongata - Vertebral arteries - Spinal roots of accessory nerve - Meninges

Question 36

List the contents of the internal acoustic meatus

Answer 36

• Facial nerve - Vestibulocochlear nerve - Labyrinthine artery

Question 37

Describe the clinical significance of the pterion, with reference to nearby structures

Answer 37

• Weak point, susceptible to fracture - Anterior division of middle meningeal artery runs underneath - traumatic blow may cause rupture, leading to epidural haematoma