Anatomy of the Skull

Sutures

• Frontal (Coronal) Suture: Separates the frontal bone from the two parietal bones.
• Sagittal Suture: Runs down the middle, separating the two parietal bones.
• Lambdoid Suture: Separates the parietal bones from the occipital bone.
• Squamous Suture: Separates the parietal bone from the temporal bones.

Frontal Bone

• Orbits: Hold the eyes.
• Supraorbital Margins: Above the orbits.
• Supraorbital Notch/Foramen: A notch above the orbits.
• Frontal Sinus: Hollow cavities behind the frontal bone that are paranasal.
• Glabella: A smooth area between the eyes.
• Anterior Cranial Fossa: An internal depression within the skull.

Occipital Bone

• External Occipital Protuberance: A bump on the occipital bone.
• Superior Nuchal Line: Lines extending laterally from the protuberance.
• Occipital Condyles: Articulating surfaces with the Atlas.
• Hypoglossal Canal: For the hypoglossal nerve.
• Condylar Fossa and Canal: Depression and passage in the occipital area.

Temporal Bone

• Mastoid Process: Contains mastoid sinus.
• External Acoustic Meatus: Entry to the ear canal.
• Styloid Process: A pointed piece of bone below the ear.
• Stylomastoid Foramen: Passage for the facial nerve.
• Zygomatic Process: Connects to the zygomatic bone, forming the zygomatic arch.

Ethmoid and Sphenoid Bones

• Crista Galli: A projection in the cranial cavity.
• Cribriform Plate: Contains olfactory foramina for nerve passage.
• Sella Turcica: "Turkish saddle" area for the pituitary gland.
• Lesser and Greater Wings: Parts of the sphenoid bone.
• Optic Canal: Passage for cranial nerve two.
• Superior Orbital Fissure: Passage for several nerves.

Foramina

• Foramen Rotundum, Ovale, Spinosum, and Lacerum: Various nerve and vessel passages.
• Carotid Canal: Passage for the internal carotid artery.
• Jugular Foramen: Passage for the jugular vein.
• Foramen Magnum: Large opening for the spinal cord.

Nasal and Maxillary Structures

• Nasal Bones: Form the bridge of the nose.
• Inferior Orbital Fissure: Below the superior orbital fissure.
• Lacrimal Fossa: Passage for the nasolacrimal duct.
• Infraorbital Foramen: Below the orbit.
• Anterior Nasal Spine: Part of the maxilla.
• Vomer Bone: Part of the nasal septum.
• Perpendicular Plate of Ethmoid: Part of the nasal septum.
• Middle and Inferior Nasal Conchae: Lateral structures in the nasal cavity.

Mandible

• Mandibular Notch: A curve between coronoid and condylar processes.
• Coronoid Process: Part of the mandible.
• Mandibular Condyle: Articulates with the skull.
• Ramus: The vertical part of the mandible.
• Body: The horizontal part of the mandible.
• Mental Foramen: An opening on the mandible.
• Mandibular Symphysis: Fusion line in the mandible.

Palatine and Nasal Cavity

• Incisive Fossa: Depression behind the teeth.
• Palatine Process: Part of the maxilla.
• Palatine Bone: Forms part of the oral cavity.
• Pterygoid Processes: Parts of the sphenoid bone.