The skull, dental anatomy and head
injury
Week Week 4
Traffic Light System Intermediate
Lecturer Dr Ian Jenkins Deputy Director of Anatomy
Learning Objectives
Identify the cranial fossae
Identify and locate the bones of the skull
Identify cranial landmarks and sutures
Describe differences between the skull of a new born and an adult
To be able to locate and name the foramina of the skull
Describe the organisation of the teeth
Describe the differences between the teeth
The skull, dental anatomy and head injury 1
, Review the anatomy of the brain and meninges
Relate the anatomy of the skull and brain to head injuries
1. Fractures of the skull
2. Brain haemorrhages
Lecture Notes
Overview of skull anatomy
Neurocranium = cranium vault
Protect the fragile brain
Attachment site for head and neck muscles
Splanchnocranium = facial skeleton
Form framework of the face
Contain cavities for special sense organs (sight, taste and smell)
Opening for air and food passage
Secure teeth
Anchor facial muscles of expression
The skull is composed of 22 bones. 21 bones
are linked by fibrous (Immovable) joints. The
mandible articulates via the synovial
temporomandibular joint (Freely movable).
Facial bones:
The skull, dental anatomy and head injury 2
, Zygomatic (2)
Lacrimal (2)
Palatine (2)
Maxilla (2)
Vomer
Nasal (2)
Inferior nasal concha (2)
Mandible
Zorro Likes Punching My Very Nose In Me
The facial skeleton forms the anterior part of
Coronal
the skull and consists of the 11 bones which
surround the orbit, mouth and nasal cavities. Squamous
The skull, dental anatomy and head injury 3
, MEETING POINTS: Bregma, pterion, Sagittal
asterion, lambda
Lambdoid
Pneumatic Bones
There are 4 pneumatic bones in the skull, which have air-filled cavities, which are called
sinuses or paranasal sinuses
Maxillary bone
Frontal bone
Sphenoid bone
Ethmoid bone
The paranasal sinuses are - can produce nitric oxide microbial properties (aerocrine
substance breathed into lungs)
Frontal sinus
Sphenoidal sinus
Ethmoid sinuses (air cells)
Maxillary sinuses.
Functions:
Help to warm and humidify air
Make weight of skull lighter
Act as voice resonators
Providing a shock-resistant "buffer" in case of injuries (‘crumple zone’)
Isolation of sensitive structures (roots of teeth, eyeballs) from rapid temperature fluctuations
in the nasal cavity during inhalation and exhalation.
Give shape to the human face. Participates in cranial growth.
The lining produces small amounts of Nitric Oxide, which has vasodilating and
antimicrobial activities.
Regulates intranasal pressure.
The skull, dental anatomy and head injury 4