Flashcards: Skull Anatomy and Cranial Bone Structure — 16 cards

Neurocranium — definition?

The bony structure enclosing the brain.

Calvaria — role?

Protects the brain's superior and lateral surfaces.

Skull base — divisions?

Anterior, middle, posterior fossae.

Cranial bones — total count?

Eight bones.

Frontal bone — main features?

Forehead, superior orbit, glabella, frontal sinus.

Ethmoid bone — key feature?

Cribriform plate for olfactory nerves.

Sphenoid bone — location?

Central skull base, behind orbits.

Occipital bone — main part?

Posterior skull, contains foramen magnum.

Parietal bones — position?

Sides and roof of the skull.

Temporal bones — contains?

External auditory meatus, mastoid process.

Cranial sutures — function?

Connect bones; allow skull growth.

Foramina of the skull — purpose?

Passage of nerves, vessels, spinal cord.

Frontal sinus — location?

In the frontal bone, above the nasal cavity.

Crista Galli — part of?

Ethmoid bone; attaches falx cerebri.

Foramen magnum — transmits?

Spinal cord, vertebral arteries, accessory nerve.

Pterygoid processes — part of?

Sphenoid bone; muscle attachment for mastication.