Lab 5 - The Skull

Question 1

Function of styloid process

Answer 1

Attachment point for muscles that move the tongue, larynx, and hyoid

Question 2

Foramen ovale function

Answer 2

Conducts one of the branches of the trigeminal nerve to the mandible

Question 3

Vomer

Answer 3

Forms part of the nasal septum. Has hole on either side called internal nares.

Question 4

What forms the hard palate?

Answer 4

Palatine bones, horizontal shelves of maxilla (palatine processes of maxilla)

Question 5

Crista galli + cribriform plate

Answer 5

Ethmoid bone:
Crista galli - sharp ridge projecting (in cranial interior view).

Cribriform plate - horizontal plate of bone with numerous holes lateral to crista galli. Holes = olfactory foramina.

Question 6

Function of olfactory foramina

Answer 6

Nerves passing through these holes transmits the sense of smell from the nose to the brain.
Nerves synapse in olfactory bulbs, superior to cribriform plate.

Question 7

Dorsum sellae

Answer 7

Posterior raised part of the sella turcica

Question 8

Foramen magnum

Answer 8

Spinal cord and vertebral arteries

Question 9

Jugular foramen

Answer 9

Internal jugular vein, vagus, other nerves

Question 10

Carotid canal

Answer 10

Temporal bone. Internal carotid artery

Question 11

Stylomastoid canal

Answer 11

Temporal bone (mastoid). Facial nerve exits skull

Question 12

Foramen lacerum

Answer 12

Closed by cartilage. At junction of temporal and sphenoid bones.

Question 13

Foramen ovale

Answer 13

Mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve

Question 14

Foramen spinosum

Answer 14

Meningeal blood vessels

Question 15

Foramen rotundum

Answer 15

Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve

Question 16

Superior orbital fissure

Answer 16

Nerves to the eye and face

Question 17

Inferior orbital fissure

Answer 17

Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve

Question 18

Mandibular foramen

Answer 18

Mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve

Question 19

Mental foramen

Answer 19

Mental nerve and blood vessels

Question 20

Supraorbital foramen

Answer 20

Supraorbital nerve and artery for face

Question 21

Infraorbital foramen

Answer 21

Infraorbital nerve and artery for face

Question 22

External acoustic meatus

Answer 22

Temporal (tympanic). Opening for sound transmission

Question 23

Internal acoustic meatus

Answer 23

Vestibulocochlear nerve and facial nerve

Question 24

What forms the nasal septum?

Answer 24

The vomer, perpendicular plate of ethmoid, and nasal cartilage.

Question 25

What age do fontanelles fuse?

Answer 25

Usually before 1 year of age, but anterior fontanelle may be as late as 2

Question 26

Hypophyseal fossa

Answer 26

Small depression in the sella turcica (sphenoid) in which the pituitary gland sits.

Question 27

Petrous portion

Answer 27

Medial part of the temporal bone. Contains ear ossicles and opening of the internal acoustic meatus

Question 28

Squamous portion

Answer 28

Lateral part of temporal bone. Forms part of cranial vault