Lecture 5 - Skull

Question 1

What is the importance of the skull to anthropologists?

Answer 1

Establishment of population: It is a key indicator that we use to establish
different populations around the world, as the cranial vault and shape changes according to different
environmental conditions.
Evolution: The changes in the formation of the skull also gives us an insight into the evolution of our species.
Identification: We can use the facial features of the skull, particularly dental morphology, to aid in forensic identification.
Communication: The skull is also important for communication, as we primarily communicate through change in facial expression.

Question 2

What is the skull made of?

Answer 2

The Skull is made up of:
Cranium: Vault which is formed of mainly flat bones. Contain and protects the brain
Facial Bones: Have openings for the respiratory and digestive systems.
Mandible: Makes up the lower jaw. Articulates with the bones in the cranial vault. The Angle of the base of the Cranial Vault changes as brain gets
bigger and is a indication of age Fibrous sheets of Meninges cover the brain All of the bones of the cranial vault and some of the facial bones communicate with
the meninges.

Question 3

Function of the Skull:

Answer 3

 Protection –> The brain Sits inside the cranial vault
 Sight –> The Orbit of the skull is formed from the frontal bone and facial bones
 Holds the sense organs: Hearing, Smell –> Nasal cavity, and Taste –> Oral Cavity
 Provides orifices (openings) for the respiratory and digestive systems

Question 4

Bones of the Cranial Vault:

Answer 4

Compact bones are called “Tables”. We have an outer table of compact bone, and an inner table of
compact bone. In between these, we have a layer of cancellous bone called ‘Diploë’. Fibrous joints called
sutures stitch the bones together. Interlock so that they hold together strongly, and this stops movement.
Holes in the Cranial Base (Fossae) are important for nerve and blood vessels. Mainly found in the Sphenoid.

Question 5

Frontal Bone:

Answer 5

 Forms part of the superior eye orbits,
and connects to the facial bones
 Joined to the Parietal bone via the
Coronal Suture
 The Coronal Suture divides the
Superior Cranial Vault from the
Posterior.

Question 6

Parietal Bone:

Answer 6

 There are 2 Parietal Bones which
form the side walls of the vault, and
wrap up to form part of the roof of
the vault
 They articulate together at the top,
and are joined by the Sagittal Suture,
and also form part of the Coronal
Suture
 Where the Parietal Bones meet the Occipital Bone –> Lambdoid Suture

Question 7

Occipital Bone:

Answer 7

 Makes up the back of the Vault, and wraps under to form part of the base of the vault
 Occipital Condyles are small synovial joints where the first cervical vertebrae articulate
 Foramen Magnum is where the spinal cord comes out of the brain, and down the column

Question 8

Temporal Bones:

Answer 8

 Articulates with the Parietal, Sphenoid and Occipital Bones
 Zygomatic Arch –> Where the muscle for chewing goes under
 Mandibula Fossa (TMJ) –> Synovial joint where the condyles of the mandible articulate
 Petrous Part protrudes into the base –> where all of the parts essential for hearing are located
 External and Internal Auditory Meatus for hearing
 Mastoid Process –> Where the neck muscle attaches, which changes in size due to age and sex
 Temporal Line –> Where the chewing muscle attaches on the Parietal bone

Question 9

Facial Bones:

Answer 9

Maxilla –> The Alveolar Process is the part of the bone that holds the sockets of the teeth. The Maxilla also
makes up the palate
 Nasal Bones
 Vomer –> Inside the nasal cavity
 Zygomatic –> Articulates with the Maxilla, and the Temporal
Process that forms the Zygomatic Arch
 Nasal Conchae –> Have the Mucosal Membrane which is important for smell

Question 10

Bones of the Cranial Base:

Answer 10

Mandible:
 Made up of the Ramus, Body and the Alveolar Process
 The Condyle is where articulation takes place to form the TMJ.
 Coronoid process is where the chewing muscles attach.