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Bones of the Skull and Their Features

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the two main categories of bones in the skull?

    The skull bones are divided into the cranial bones and the facial bones.

  • Name the eight cranial bones.

    Frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones.

  • What is the function of the cranial bones?

    They protect the brain and support the structures of the face.

  • Which bone forms the forehead?

    The frontal bone forms the forehead and the upper part of the eye sockets.

  • What is the significance of the temporal bones?

    They house the structures of the ears and form part of the cheekbones.

  • Which bone forms the back and base of the skull?

    The occipital bone forms the back and base of the skull and contains the foramen magnum.

  • What is the foramen magnum?

    A large opening in the occipital bone allowing passage of the spinal cord.

  • Describe the sphenoid bone's location and role.

    Located at the base of the skull, it helps form the eye sockets and houses the pituitary gland.

  • What is the ethmoid bone's function?

    It forms part of the nasal cavity and the medial walls of the orbits.

  • Name the 14 facial bones.

    Maxillae (2), palatine (2), nasal (2), inferior nasal conchae (2), zygomatic (2), lacrimal (2), vomer, and mandible.

  • What is the maxilla's role?

    It forms the upper jaw, holds the upper teeth, and forms part of the nose and eye sockets.

  • Which bone forms the lower jaw?

    The mandible forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth.

  • What are the zygomatic bones?

    They are the cheekbones and contribute to the eye sockets.

  • What is the function of the nasal bones?

    They form the bridge of the nose.

  • Describe the lacrimal bones.

    Small bones forming part of the medial wall of each orbit, containing the lacrimal sac for tear drainage.

  • What is the vomer bone's role?

    It forms the inferior part of the nasal septum.

  • What are the inferior nasal conchae?

    Thin, curved bones inside the nasal cavity that help filter and humidify air.

  • What is the palatine bone's function?

    It forms part of the hard palate and the floor of the nasal cavity.

  • How do sutures relate to skull bones?

    Sutures are immovable joints that connect the skull bones.

  • Name a major suture connecting the parietal and temporal bones.

    The squamous suture connects the parietal and temporal bones.