The Skull Flashcards
straight from the skull lecture
What are the bones in the facial skeleton?
Zygomatic, Maxilla, Mandible, Palatine, Nasal, Lacrimal
What is a fontanelle on the skull, and what is the function?
Articulation point where sutures come together and allows for rapid growth of the brain after birth
What is the sella turcica?
The depression in the sphenoid bone
Where is the hypophyseal fossa located, and what does it house?
Middle of the sella turcica, houses the pituitary gland
Where is the optic canal and what is it’s function?
Sphenoid bone
Allows passage for the Optic Nerve CN II to the back of the eye
Where is the jugular foramen, and what is it’s function?
Between the temporal and occipital bone
Allows passage for the Vagus Nerve CNX and Glossopharyngeal Nerve CNIX
Where is the foramen lacerum and what is it’s function?
Articulation of the temporal, sphenoid, and occipital bones
Allows passage for the Petrosal Nerves (branches of Facial Nerve CNVII)
Where is the foramen ovale and what is it’s function?
Sphenoid bone
Allows passage for Mandibular Branch of Trigeminal Nerve CNV
Where is the internal acoustic meatus and what is it’s function?
Temporal bone inside the earhole
Allows passage for the Vestibulocochlear Nerve CNVIII
What is a subdural hematoma?
Bleeding in the arachnoid mater
What is the function of the meninges?
Protects the brain and allows passage for the cerebrospinal fluid
What are the 3 primary functions of the cerebral hemispheres?
Recognizes sensation
Initiates voluntary movements
Memory, judgement, and interpretation
What does the basilar artery bifurcate into?
Posterior cerebral arteries
Which cerebral artery is most likely to be compromised in a cerebral accident?
Middle cerebral artery
Where does the internal carotid artery run?
Through the head into the brain
Where do the vertebral arteries run through?
transverse foramen of cervical vertebrae
What does the internal cartoid artery supply?
Anterior brain
What is the anterior blood supply to the brain?
Aortic arch –> brachiocephalic –> common carotid –> internal carotid –> middle/anterior cerebral external carotid –> external structures
AABCCICMACECES
What bones are housed in the Calvaria?
Frontal
Temporal
Parietal
Occipital
Sphenoid
Ethmoid
What is the Calvaria?
Skull Cap
What is the bony landmark between the eyebrows called?
Glabella
What is the Pterion?
The “H” shaped articulation point of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones
What are the functions of the sinuses?
Allows air movement for breathing
What causes sinus headaches and/or infections?
Excessive fluid and mucus build up creating outward pressure
Why is the sinus area referred to as the danger zone of the face?
Because the sinuses are located near a thin later of bone in close proximity to the brain
What is the Cranial Venous Sinus function?
Receives and drains blood/cerebral fluid back and forth to the brain
What are the three layers of the meninges, superficial to deep?
Dura mater
Arachnoid mater
Pia mater
“Dean Ate Pie”
What artery supplies the meninges?
Middle meningeal artery
What makes up the brainstem?
Midbrain, pons, and medulla
If a patient has a stroke affecting the cerebellum, what would be affected?
Fine motor movements, balance, and coordination
What does the Internal Carotid bifurcate into?
Middle and anterior cerebral arteries
What is the function of the Circle of Willis?
Provides continuation of blood supply when one area is experiencing deficit
What is the posterior blood supply to the brain?
Aortic arch –> subclavian –> vertebral –> basilar –> posterior cerebral artery
What does the posterior cerebral artery supply?
Base of the brain
(More occipital)
