Lateral Skull Landmarks

Question 1

What makes up the zygomatic arch?

Answer 1

Zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygoma

Question 2

What is the pterygomaxillary fissure?

Answer 2

The gap between the lateral pterygoid plate and the posterior aspect of the maxilla

Question 3

What is the inferior orbital fissure?

Answer 3

It is found between the maxilla and the great wing of the sphenoid

Question 4

What attaches to the superior temporal line?

Answer 4

The temporalis fascia

Question 5

What does the inferior temporal line mark?

Answer 5

It marks the outline of the attachment of the temporalis muscle

Question 6

What is the pterion?

Answer 6

Pterion is the junction of the temporal bone, parietal bone, and the great wing of the sphenoid. It marks the position of the middle meningeal artery internally

Question 7

What is the temporal fossa?

Answer 7

The temporal fossa is the area below the superior temporal line and above the zygomatic arch

Question 8

What is the infratemporal fossa?

Answer 8

The area medial to the ramus of the mandible and inferior to the zygomatic arch from the lateral view

Question 9

What is the coronal suture a junction of?

Answer 9

Parietal and frontal bones

Question 10

What is the sagital suture a junction of?

Answer 10

two parietal bones

Question 11

What is the lamboid suture a junction of?

Answer 11

The occipital bone and the two parietal bones

Question 12

Anterior cranial fossa

Answer 12

Where the frontal lobe of the brain is situated

Question 13

Middle cranial fossa

Answer 13

Where the temporal lobe of the brain is situated

Question 14

Posterior cranial fossa

Answer 14

Where the cerebellum is situated

Question 15

What does the superior orbital fissure transmit?

Answer 15

The opthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve V1

Question 16

What does the foramen rotundum transmit?

Answer 16

The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve V2

Question 17

What does the foramen ovale transmit?

Answer 17

The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve V3

Question 18

What does the foramen spinosum transmit?

Answer 18

The middle meningeal artery

Question 19

What passes through the carotid canal?

Answer 19

Internal carotid artery

Question 20

From the internal aspect of the skull, what does the carotid canal itself cross?

Answer 20

The foramen lacerum

Question 21

What is the trigeminal cave?

Answer 21

It is the depression formed by the trigeminal ganglion

Question 22

What are the hiati for the petrosal nerves?

Answer 22

Small openings on the anterior slope of the petrosus temporal bone

Question 23

Where does the groove for the greater petrosal nerve pass toward?

Answer 23

It passes toward the foramen lacerum and internal carotid artery

Question 24

Where does the groove for the lesser petrosal nerve pass toward?

Answer 24

The foramen ovale

Question 25

What transmits through the internal acoustic meatus?

Answer 25

Cranial nerves VII and VIII

Question 26

What happens at the jugular foramen?

Answer 26

Internal jugular vein begins and cranial nerves IX, X, and XI pass through

Question 27

What transmits through the hypoglossal canal?

Answer 27

Cranial Nerve XII

Question 28

Where does the brain stem lay?

Answer 28

Up against the Clivus

Question 29

How does the sigmoid sinus end?

Answer 29

It ends by passing out the jugular foramen and becoming the internal jugular vein