Crani facial Bones

1. 📌 Essentials

• The ethmoid bone is a quadrangular unpaired bone forming part of the anterior skull, nasal cavity, and orbits.
• The sphenoid bone is a butterfly-shaped bone at the skull base, articulating with many cranial bones.
• The temporal bone forms the sides and base of the skull, protecting the ear and neurovascular structures.
• All three bones contribute to the cranial base, medial orbital wall, and nasal septum.
• The cribriform plate of the ethmoid transmits olfactory nerves.
• The sella turcica houses the pituitary gland (sphenoid).
• The mastoid process offers attachment for neck muscles (temporal).
• The greater wings of sphenoid create part of the skull's lateral and superior surfaces.
• The petrous portion of temporal bone encloses inner ear structures.
• Common clinical relevance: fractures involving these bones can damage the brain, nerves, or vascular structures.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• Ethmoid bone: cribriform plate, perpendicular plate, lateral masses, ethmoidal cells, superior and middle conchae.
• Sphenoid bone: body, lesser wings, greater wings, pterygoid processes, sella turcica, optical foramina.
• Temporal bone: squamous part, mastoid portion, petrous part, styloid process, zygomatic process, mandibular fossa.

---