Head and Neck Anatomy Overview

Sep 4, 2024

Lecture Notes: Head and Neck Anatomy - Bones and TMJ

Introduction

  • Instructor: Miss O'Brien
  • Focus: Part 1 of Chapter 9 from the dental assisting textbook
  • Topics Covered:
    • Bones of the head and neck
    • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Anatomical Descriptions and Regions

  • Anatomical Regions of the Head:
    • Frontal
    • Parietal
    • Occipital
    • Temporal
    • Orbital
    • Nasal
    • Infraorbital
    • Zygomatic
    • Buccal
    • Oral
    • Mental
  • Terminology:
    • Foramen: Openings in bones for nerves and blood vessels
    • Fossa: Grooves or depressions in bones
    • Process: Projections on bones
    • Suture: Joint lines in bones
    • Symphysis: Cartilaginous joint
    • Tubercle/Tuberosity: Projections on bones

Bones of the Skull

Cranium (Neurocranium)

  • Composed of 8 Bones:
    • Frontal
    • Parietal (2)
    • Occipital
    • Temporal (2)
    • Sphenoid
    • Ethmoid
  • Mnemonic: Old People From Texas Eat Spiders

Face (Viscerocranium)

  • Composed of 14 Bones:
    • Zygomatic (2)
    • Maxillary (2)
    • Palatine (2)
    • Nasal (2)
    • Lacrimal (2)
    • Vomer
    • Inferior Nasal Concha (2)
    • Mandible
  • Mnemonic: Valerie Cannot Make My Pet Zebra Laugh

Detailed Bone Descriptions

Parietal Bones

  • Form roof and sides of the cranium
  • Sagittal suture joins them at the midline
  • Coronal suture connects them to the frontal bone

Frontal Bone

  • Forms forehead and part of orbital cavity
  • Contains frontal sinuses

Occipital Bone

  • Forms back and base of the skull
  • Features the foramen magnum for the spinal cord

Temporal Bones

  • Enclose ears and form part of the skull base
  • Include mastoid process and styloid process

Sphenoid Bone

  • Complex bone with greater and lesser wings
  • Contains sphenoid sinuses

Ethmoid Bone

  • Part of the nasal cavity and orbit
  • Contains ethmoid sinuses

Facial Bones

Zygomatic Bones

  • Form cheekbones and part of the orbit

Maxillary Bones

  • Form upper jaw and part of the hard palate
  • Contain maxillary sinuses

Mandible

  • Only movable bone of the skull
  • Holds lower teeth

Palatine Bones

  • Form part of the hard palate

Nasal Bones

  • Form bridge of the nose

Vomer

  • Forms part of the nasal septum

Lacrimal Bones

  • Form part of the eye orbit

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

  • Components:
    • Temporal bone
    • Condyloid process of the mandible
    • Glenoid fossa and articular eminence
  • Movements:
    • Hinge action for opening the mouth
    • Gliding action for wide opening and lateral motion
  • Disorders (TMD):
    • Symptoms include pain, clicking, limited movement
    • Causes can be stress, trauma, arthritis

Conclusion

  • Review of anatomical terms and bones
  • Next lecture will cover muscles and nerves of the head and neck
  • Importance of understanding TMJ function and disorders

Note: Additional visual aids and hands-on practice with skull models are recommended to reinforce understanding of the anatomical structures discussed in this lecture.